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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Where is the kayak!?
Today we woke up and the kayak was gone! We noticed the water level had gone up several inches. James walked downstream while I walked to a canoe shop to rent out a canoe. Ended up being on a river island a couple miles away!
Thank you for your help, Parkers Landing and Rick!
Thank you for your help, Parkers Landing and Rick!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
120 miles to go
Making great progress with 120 miles to go. Swam my first 20 mile day a few days ago.
We are progressively seeing more and more homes along the river now. It’s interesting to see how people react when they see us. I have received several beer offers while swimming. One kid who was crabbing along the river asked if I was training for the Olympics. I told him I was an underwater archeologist searching for Native America artifacts. He looked confused. I wonder if he believed me!
We are progressively seeing more and more homes along the river now. It’s interesting to see how people react when they see us. I have received several beer offers while swimming. One kid who was crabbing along the river asked if I was training for the Olympics. I told him I was an underwater archeologist searching for Native America artifacts. He looked confused. I wonder if he believed me!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Where is James?!
Had a late morning start. James and I decided it would be a good idea for me to start swimming ahead to warm up while he finished loading up the kayak. It takes ten minutes max. to load the kayak so neither of us thought much about it. After a half hour of swimming without seeing him I slowed by pace. That half hour turned into an hour and a half and I decided to wait on one of the river islands. I waited an hour on the island realizing I had no food, no water, and no sort of communication. Just me, my wetsuit, and my goggles! I decided to walk upstream and after a quarter of a mile, there he was− napping! At least he was making the best of the situation! He thought there was no way I could have made the progress I did and he decided to wait for me.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Day 12: Reaching Kinzua Dam
Last day on the reservoir. More waves. Navigation was a bit of a challenge. Several bays jut out from the lake so one wrong turn could mean an hour or two of extra swimming. Fortunately we stayed on course the entire 20 miles on the reservoir.
As we neared closer to the dam, stone cliffs lined the water and several people were jumping from one 30ft cliff into the water.
Once we arrived at the dam, we hitched a ride into Warren, a city about six miles south. Another quaint, slow-moving city. Did a restock on food and a laundry run. Some of my friends picked us up in Warren as tomorrow is our first rest day. I realized wet wounds tend to heal slowly so I am looking forward to my first dry day to recover!
The next week of swimming should be beautiful. We are going through the 500,000-acre Allegheny National forest and will be able to camp on protected wilderness islands all along the river.
As we neared closer to the dam, stone cliffs lined the water and several people were jumping from one 30ft cliff into the water.
Once we arrived at the dam, we hitched a ride into Warren, a city about six miles south. Another quaint, slow-moving city. Did a restock on food and a laundry run. Some of my friends picked us up in Warren as tomorrow is our first rest day. I realized wet wounds tend to heal slowly so I am looking forward to my first dry day to recover!
The next week of swimming should be beautiful. We are going through the 500,000-acre Allegheny National forest and will be able to camp on protected wilderness islands all along the river.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Day 11: I'm thirsty
Waves, waves, and more waves. Swimming has been a real challenge in the Allegheny Reservoir. I feel quite small swimming in such a wide lake circled by vast mountains. It's also a bit discouraging swimming 1-2 mph beside boats cruising a good 50-60 mph. I am the small fish in the big pond!
Today has been the first day we ran into water issues. The lake is populated but we had no luck finding water. Must have stopped 20 times throughout the day (homes, boat access ramps, campsites, boats, etc) to find water. I ended up swimming 8 hours without water! Once we set up camp we used our emergency water tablets and boiled some water. Hope we don't get sick! James had Giardia (waterborne illness) a couple months ago and I hope we don't face that challenge.
Today has been the first day we ran into water issues. The lake is populated but we had no luck finding water. Must have stopped 20 times throughout the day (homes, boat access ramps, campsites, boats, etc) to find water. I ended up swimming 8 hours without water! Once we set up camp we used our emergency water tablets and boiled some water. Hope we don't get sick! James had Giardia (waterborne illness) a couple months ago and I hope we don't face that challenge.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Day 10: Swimming in glue
Finally reached the Allegheny Reservoir today. It is a 27 mile long lake with lots of motorboats, sailboats, and jet skiers. Very picturesque. Summer homes dot along the lake and it's the first time we have seen more than two people on water! After swimming the reservoir we will reach the first dam, the Kinzua Dam, and then several more until Pittsburgh.
Today's swimming conditions were rough, had about a one to two mile per hour headwind and choppy waters. Every time a boat would pass the waves would offset my course. It felt like I was swimming in glue! Throughout the day I kept asking James if I was even moving forward. I usually manage 2 mph swimming but today only 1 mph.
We found a campsite on a beach and the day ended with another beautiful sunset over the mountains. I can't fall asleep right now because I have some sort of itchy rash all over my body. It feels like my body is burning. I wonder what that's all about!?
Today's swimming conditions were rough, had about a one to two mile per hour headwind and choppy waters. Every time a boat would pass the waves would offset my course. It felt like I was swimming in glue! Throughout the day I kept asking James if I was even moving forward. I usually manage 2 mph swimming but today only 1 mph.
We found a campsite on a beach and the day ended with another beautiful sunset over the mountains. I can't fall asleep right now because I have some sort of itchy rash all over my body. It feels like my body is burning. I wonder what that's all about!?
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