The word for today: FANTASTICAL! It was more than just rest, recuperation, and reunion; it was repair, replenishment , revelry, romance and revelation. That’s 8 R’s in one day, and that doesn’t include regularity!

The priority tasks for the day were to address our engines and any other craft repairs or improvements. Christin washed the boats – they haven’t looked this good since we got them. Chad and I repaired carts and engines, and replaced some old fins with new “turbo” fins (hopefully they will boost our speed now that we’ll have plenty of depth). And, we made some plugs for the passenger engine room, which will be rarely used.

After taking care of the boats, it was time for a run to REI to address some gear and freeze dried food needs. I love and hate REI: they have everything an outdoors person would want, and you want everything they have. I went in for 1 sleeping pad, a cable to append locking system for boats and stuff, and a dozen freeze dried dinners. $500 later, I came out with the above, plus a backup sleeping pad, another dry bag, another French press that fits my new camp stove, and something else I can’t remember but I’m sure is necessary. How many French presses does one guy need? Christin just brought an exact duplicate of the one that was stolen and I reordered, why did I need something else? Anyway, I’m now outfitted a’plenty and hope to not see another REI, Dick’s, or Fleet Farm in the next 3 years.

After REI, we picked up side dish #3, Mark Lecy, from the Minneapolis airport. He was ready to join for the “unwinding” portion of the day before we head to the water tomorrow. We went back to David’s place; unloaded my new gear and Mark’s luggage, then we changed into our battle armor and went feather bowling at Pyres brewery.

Feather bowling is like bocce ball or curling, but it was “invented” by drunk Belgiums rolling cheese wheels in a ditch. And who doesn’t love getting drunk and rolling cheese wheels in a ditch! it’s amazing this game isn’t more prevalent, cuz it really is a lot of fun.

After a day with Christin, making repairs and replacing gear, gathering provisions, and some jovial social jousting, I’m walking tall. Or maybe I’m walking tall because my cheeks aren’t wet, wrinkled, and encased in a big piece of blue plastic? I suppose it’s all of the above, but I won’t forget this day being out with my wife and good friends, and feeling like the cock of that walk, or proud as a peacock (while costumed like one, eh Kurt TH?) Accompanying music choice for such an event: Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze.