Day 2 Ice Ice and More Ice 12/08/2009
Daily stats Start: 7:50 AM - Pine Bluff (Lake Wisconsin) Finish: 3:30 PM - Spring Green WI Time: 7:40 Daily dist: 38 miles Total dist: 58 miles Companions: None Weather: Snow to partly cloudy highs in upper 20’s Notes: Dealt with ice accumulations on gear and boat  Ice, ice everywhere. I’ve seen salt accumulate on my paddling clothing many times in the past but I’ve never seen ice build up on my boat and gear, but that was the case today while I paddled through a snow storm. We woke to about an inch of fresh snow on the ground and dealt with slippery roads as we drove to the put in just after day break. After arriving at the put in we had an interesting experience when it came to getting the boat off the truck when we discovered that the wet hull had frozen to the foam pads the night before. We took the boat (with pads attached) off the truck and used the MSR bag of warm drinking water I’d brought to thaw the pads off the hull. Rather than carry the boat to the water I slid it across the grass to the waters edge. The wind was up which was a good thing because it had pulverized the ice that lined the shore the night before into piles of little shards. I quickly launched and headed off to my first destination, the Merrimac ferry. This is the last remaining ferry operating within the state of Wisconsin. Linking the town of Merrimac to the north with the small hamlets and on to the bigger city of Madison to the south. It is a cable ferry meaning that to move across the river it pulls itself along on a pair of large steel cables. When I was planning this trip I used the ferry schedule as an indicator that the lake wouldn’t be frozen in early December. I was in the understanding that the ferry quit running in the end of November so I was a bit surprised to see it still operating. Mom and Dad were going to use this floating shortcut to get to the bigger (and hopefully less snow covered) roads on the north side of the lake. After watching the ferry containing my parents and truck pass by I continued on my way.   The morning’s paddle passed without incident and I made it to the Lake Wisconsin dam in a few hours. I had brought my cart to make the portage around the dam a bit easier but never pulled it out opting instead to take advantage of the snow and slide the kayak to the put in below the dam. If Portage is the French word for “to carry” I’m wondering what the French word is for “to slide.” This dam is noteworthy in that it’s the last dam on the Wisconsin river. For a person that starts at the headwaters in northern Wisconsin and carries around all 22 of the dams on the river, it is a welcome site. Below the dam is 90 miles of free flowing water all the way to the Mississippi.  Apparently eagles appreciate the free flowing water as they were almost constant company for the rest of the day. At one point I could see a nesting pair, two juveniles, and another huge adult at the same time. Photographing these majestic icons with a simple point-and-shoot is generally a waste of time but I did get a shot of a nest tree and one bird.    Just below the dam is the town of Prairie Du Sac a trip follower had alerted me to a surprise below the old train bridge which I discovered on an old bridge support. CommentsDon Heidemann 12/08/2009 6:02am
Hey Jake, I am your second cousin. My Mother Adale and your Grandmother Sylvia are Sisters. I used to hang out with your Dad, David and Uncles and Aunts way back when we were kids in Wausau. I Email with your Uncle Jim and Aunt Bernice a lot. I just wanted to leave a note to wish you Gods Speed on your Journey. Don Heidemann... Tim Bradley 12/08/2009 8:24am
Hi Jake, That video about the frozen Colleen 12/08/2009 9:45am
Hey Jake I still can't belive you are going down the river in this weather. I am cold just walking to my car. I hope the storm coming doesn't slow you down too much. Patrick Staley 12/08/2009 9:50am
I am loving this story! Jan Kleck 12/08/2009 1:42pm
I cannot wait until I read your daily messages. It is so adventurous, so difficult to describe what it really is - to see eagles, to experience this alone and yet with so many who care about you. I continue to admire you and care about you! I would say, "please take care" and yet I know that you will. Best to you and some warmth!! Jane Hardy 12/08/2009 4:19pm
Jake! Portage Doug 12/08/2009 6:53pm
My thought is that this is a great day for paddling! Lynn and Thom 12/08/2009 8:52pm
Yo Jake! What a great day for paddling!!! Warm water, ice, snow and ferries!!! Thanks for keeping us all up to speed--you are just paddling along...I bet its great to have the parents along to support you... Tell them we all appreciate them!!! lois kuether 12/08/2009 9:35pm
Jakie, Jan Kleck 12/09/2009 5:39am
Someone mentioned your free spirit and determination. You certainly need them now! Bless your parents. It would be nice to read about your taking a day of R&R - warm and safe and with the potential of just sleeping. We hope this is the worst part of this amazing journey. Steve Muse 12/09/2009 11:25am
Dude, I'm enjoying the blog very much and miss seeing ya at the shop. Looks like you're making good distances even in shitty weather! We all are living vicariously through you on your expedition and I hope to meet you in warmer conditions. Good luck my friend! Leave a Reply | Best of the Blog
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