Day 3 - by Audrey

Today we got out on the river for the first time! However before that we had some yummy cinnamon rolls and oranges for breakfast. After breakfast we started a discussion on a reading we did about the leadership characteristics of the Lewis and Clark expedition. A short way into the lesson the owners of the winery we were staying at came to help us pull the vans and trailers out of the muddy situation that had formed because of all the rain last night. They towed the vans up the hill and saved us which was very nice of them. After that we finished the discussion, cleaning up and packing for our long awaited first paddle on the river. We put in on the riverbank at the winery and started on our journey. Seconds after we got out on the river the rain came pouring down. No one was upset about it though because we were so happy to just be out on the water. There was something peaceful about all of the rain and being totally surrounded by water. There were a couple of strainers in the river but no serious rapids. Dr. Chandler spotted several structures in trees which she brilliantly deduced must be bear nests. Upon closer examination we realized that this must be correct. We paddled about 8 miles in total today. Then we pulled up onto a rather muddy bank under a bridge. We pulled the canoes out and up onto the road. After this we started the drive to our next campground, the Four Winds Campground. We stopped on the way there for lunch. When we got to our site we were right on the river and it was steadily creeping closer to us. We set up our tents and a group tarp for cooking and then had some time to hang out and sit by the river. It didn’t rain much this evening except for a few light sprinkles. This was quite the welcome break from the weather we have been having. The sunset over the lake was really gorgeous and I am starting to feel a connection with the river. We are paddling again tomorrow which is fantastic!