Thanks for the great report and photos. Much enjoyed.
I've done the Missouri River by canoe twice. Once with a family group of two canoes and a drift boat. The other time solo. The drift boat was a mistake. As the author here mentions, the wind coming up-river can be quite strong, and while a canoe can make headway against it, a drift boat with oars has too much windage and will often be stopped cold. Canoes and kayaks are the way to go.
This guided voyage seems ideal as far as food. Having the guides re-supply you with ice at Judith Landing is great. I should warn persons planning an unguided trip without re-supply that ice coolers with fresh food can be a hindrance. Somebody has to drive to meet you with the ice. If you bring fresh meat and lettuce you may be restricting your movements based on the availability of ice. I've done the trip with coolers and I've done it without, and going without coolers allows you more freedom and less worry. Or you can book a guided trip as the author did here, eat well, and have somebody else worry for you.
I agree with the author that the trip itself is easy, with nothing more than Class 1 rapids; enough to pique your interest, not enough to get into trouble. Only a couple of submerged rocks worth mentioning in the whole 100-mile run. It is more of an American history trip than a wilderness trip. A few roads/bridges cut the river here and there, so don't be disappointed to see a truck along the way, but it is wonderful to camp where Lewis and Clark camped. Fort Benton, the town closest to the put-in, is a little jewel by itself. Still very much a cowboy town on a Friday night!
Author! Sandra, thanks for sharing your trip so we could float along with you and Chuck. As with your stories before of your adventures with Chuck around our country, you have provided us all a reminder of nature’s beauty and the opportunity of fellowship with one another, sorely needed today.
Thanks for the great report and photos. Much enjoyed.
I've done the Missouri River by canoe twice. Once with a family group of two canoes and a drift boat. The other time solo. The drift boat was a mistake. As the author here mentions, the wind coming up-river can be quite strong, and while a canoe can make headway against it, a drift boat with oars has too much windage and will often be stopped cold. Canoes and kayaks are the way to go.
This guided voyage seems ideal as far as food. Having the guides re-supply you with ice at Judith Landing is great. I should warn persons planning an unguided trip without re-supply that ice coolers with fresh food can be a hindrance. Somebody has to drive to meet you with the ice. If you bring fresh meat and lettuce you may be restricting your movements based on the availability of ice. I've done the trip with coolers and I've done it without, and going without coolers allows you more freedom and less worry. Or you can book a guided trip as the author did here, eat well, and have somebody else worry for you.
I agree with the author that the trip itself is easy, with nothing more than Class 1 rapids; enough to pique your interest, not enough to get into trouble. Only a couple of submerged rocks worth mentioning in the whole 100-mile run. It is more of an American history trip than a wilderness trip. A few roads/bridges cut the river here and there, so don't be disappointed to see a truck along the way, but it is wonderful to camp where Lewis and Clark camped. Fort Benton, the town closest to the put-in, is a little jewel by itself. Still very much a cowboy town on a Friday night!
Just the right amount of adventure, though the hot dog smores might have put it over the top. What a fun week you had!
Author! Sandra, thanks for sharing your trip so we could float along with you and Chuck. As with your stories before of your adventures with Chuck around our country, you have provided us all a reminder of nature’s beauty and the opportunity of fellowship with one another, sorely needed today.
Thank you!
A great narrative. I really enjoyed the descriptions and the diary entries from Clark. What a great trip. Thank you for sharing
Great write up! I’d love to do this trip!