Sakakawea Sunset Lodge
Riverdale, North Dakota
July 8, 2023
Dear Family & Friends:
July 7. Annie, Bill & I pushed off from Dakota Waters Resort at 6:10 AM. After battling headwinds and 2 to 3 foot swells for 6 hours, I called it quits at noon and set up camp in a quiet, secluded cove. As you will see, this turned out to be a great decision. Bill and Annie continued paddling down the Lake to the Dam, so that’s the last time I will see them. From here on, I’ll be paddling solo again.
In the afternoon, a group of several families pulled into my private cove in two really nice boats. I enjoyed conversing with them and watching the children and lab dogs frolic in the water. I did some hiking and exploring. I climbed up a steep bluff and took some photos & videos of the cove and the Lake.
I was up at 6:10 AM on July 8 and cruised down the Lake to a marina near Garrison Dam. The weather was perfect and the Lake was glassy still. I arrived at the Dam at 10AM. I called Nate at Sakakawea Sunset Lodge and asked for help with a portage around the Dam. His Dad, Mike, picked me up at the Marina and drove me to the Sunset Lodge Motel with my canoe and gear. I have a really nice room and my canoe and gear are on a flat bed trailer right outside my door.
Here’s the especially great news: just steps away from my room is the Iron Oar steakhouse. Mike tells me it is the finest restaurant and steakhouse in North Dakota.I had Parmesan Crusted Walleye, and it was really good. Mike & Nate run a great operation in Riverdale. Don’t pass it by if you are near.
Tomorrow, Mike will portage me to the River below the Dam. Yippee! I’m done with Lake Sakakawea and will enjoy the current for 76.5 miles as I paddle towards Bismarck, North Dakota. After arriving at Bismarck, I will start paddling on Lake Oahe, the longest and toughest lake on the Missouri River. I don’t want to think about that now.
July 8 was one of my best days on the River.
God has been good to me.
Burke Cove-no trespassers!
Except these nice folks
The Marina near Garrison Dam
Sakakawea Sunset Lodge
The finest restaurant in North Dakota
It sure was nice to meet you and talk to you Bill in that nice little cove I am still just amazed by your travels and the little bit that you told us about I have already told some people about you and look forward to telling more about the interesting nice man that we stumbled across in our journey that day I was a delight getting to know you the little bit we did and I wish you the best of luck on the rest of your journey!!!
Bill,
Live the moment! Lake Oahe will happen in due course! It’s amazing that you are only 76 miles from Bismarck-a good resupply point.
Continued paddling blessings,
Rick
Continuing to pray for safe travels. I love how God blessed you with meeting the family in the cove and finding the best steak house in ND.
Dear Bill!
Really enjoying reading of your AMAZING journey-lots of juicy news and great photos! 🙂
So happy that you are having fun ( mostly lol) and that you are meeting nice and helpful people and doing so well!!
Thinking of you, praying for your continued safe travels~
Wishing you all the best!
Sincerely,
Judy Petersen
Who is “I”? Obviously a friend and fellow paddler of Bill and Annie. Wish you’d sign your name to the updates. I must have missed something whilst in New Caledonia because I don’t know who is writing these recent posts.
Anyway, thanks for the welcome & interesting update. Please keep’em coming!
k;-)