Saturday, July 02, 2005

Ready, Set, here we Go!

We arrived at the Beckwith's at about 7:30 AM on Saturday July 1, 2005 to load the final items into the cooler and start our journey. Friday afternoon we had brought our boat and gear over and had completed almost all the loading by 5:00 PM. Saturday was more of a rendezvous with the Fuhrman's then anything else. Once we got them together we drove out to 4th of July Pass and met up with the Sutherland's and the Fitz/Julie/Sam Team. Everyone was on time so with the greetings under our belts we caravanned off to the river.

Each vehicle in our group had a different fuel capacity so by the time we hit Superior Montana the string of boats was split up and we were basically on our own. Mike decided to take the Petty Creek cut off to avoid the traffic of Missoula. The road was pretty good and we made good time. Of course we stopped at the Lumberjack Bar to have a beer and go to the restroom. It hasn't changed a bit. The young girl tending the bar was very nice and we talked population growth and how times are a changing.

Next stop was Lolo where we met up with the group that went through Missoula. We would have been quite a bit ahead of them if we hadn't stopped at the Lumberjack. With some gas in vehicles and everyone back on the same trail we moved on to Hamilton where the Beckwiths, Sutherlands and Bennetts stopped at SUBWAY for some food and again the restrooms.

Lunch was short and sweet and we were back on the road and in Northfork by about 3:30 PM. We stopped at the Lewis and Clark where we met up with everyone including Doren, our shuttle driver and long time friend of the Beckwith's and Clift's. We moved on down river and got to
Corn Creek (45 22.177N 114 41.199W - 2256 ft. elev.)
where we set up our boats and spent the night.

Dinner was provided by the trip leader, Jim Fuhrman and LeeAnn. The stew really hit the spot and by the end of dinner most everyone was ready for bed.

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