With Linda working in Lewiston, Baka and I decided to drive to Forest Grove on the Clarkfork River and stay the night. Fitz, a friend of mine, met us on Saturday and we floated the Alberton Gorge streach of the river.
We arrived at the camp ground on Friday night at about 7:30. All the real camp spots looked to be full so I decided to set up my camp in a parking spot next to the regular spots. There were two trailers in the best spots, a boat in the next best and a truck was in the final spot. Set up went well and after I finished one of the old guys, from the trailers, came out and we talked for about ten minutes. They were from Billings and he said they came here quite often. He floats the stretch from Tarkio done to Forest Grove and fishes with his wife and buddy. He was nice and I enjoyed the conversation.
I went into the camper to make dinner and after about ten minutes I noticed the two old guys out moving equipment. They moved the boat out of the #2 spot and then moved their truck into their area. This left the two spots open that I had wanted to camp in, but I was all set up and it would take a little work to make the move into #2. I guess I should have asked if the spots were taken but it didn’t dawn of me that they would have their stuff all over the entire campground.
I ate dinner and read my book for about an hour. I cleaned up and went to bed about 9:00 PM. In the morning I got my coffee and cleaned up the camper. Steve arrived about 10:00Am and we made arrangements for the trip. I tied Baka to the bumper and filled up his food and water. As I did all this a lady and her husband came in and set up in spot #2. She looked very familiar and after a few minutes she cam over and reintroduced herself to me. It turns out we meant them the last time we stayed at Forest Grove. They had given us some wood and we had talked about our dogs. They were from somewhere around Butte and had been coming over for many years.
We rafted the river, the day was perfect but the water level was very mellow. Everything went well and we were off the river by about 4:30 PM. Load up wasn’t smooth. I forgot how it was to work with Fitz and all his dog needs. He has a big young dog and it took a lot of work to keep it out of other boaters way. While we were loading we met a young kid from Salmon Idaho. He needed a ride to the Tarkio Ramp so we all loaded up and headed out. Half way to the ramp Fitz’s cooler fell under the trailer and we had to stop and retie it. Not much damage but it did drag quit a distance.
When we go to Fitz’s truck we unloaded my boat and moved his over to his trailer. Just as we finished a storm came in and all hell broke loose. It was a down pour that lasted until I drove all the way to St. Regis. Baka and I arrived home at about 8:45 PM where we unloaded some of the equipment, cleaned up and went to bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment