tripple crown beat down

Its 5am on my day off and im dragging my self out of bed, i groan and stumble down stairs. I hastily prepare breakfast and pack my gear. Im suppose to meet up with death rider at 7am but i had no idea where my life jacket was, and no time to switch the cog on my single speed. oh well, ill just have to spin. Make it to Burnsville and we load up the van, two bikes, two kayaks, and some lights. Hit the road towards hastings and the third and final member of our party joins us. The bikes get dropped off and we drive to the inlet.

gray and cold, we put in. josh and i had the little boats, steve the big boat

We shimmy down to the vermillion river and put in. Josh and I enter drama free, Steve promptly rolls the big boat. Nothing quite like 40 degree water to wake you up! The first few minutes down the river where pleasant and fun, and then we hit it portage number 1 out of 10. The river was full on debris and there where many times we had to walk around, and some times we went right over.

check yo self, after you reck yo self

bridges!

number 8?

and over!

The river twisted and turned, while the water was cold it was shallow so when we did have to portage it wasn't that big of a deal. slowly the sun came out, and the wild life also. we saw kingfishers, owls, elks!, and even a few herons. Death rider being the man he is started to fade "Im disappointed, im tired, this is taking for ever!" what a wuss... after 4.5hours of paddling and some 9miles covered we were done, with leg one of the adventure...

Leg 2 started with the bike, we had to get back to the cars, the initial plan was to take snowmobile trails, but given our common tiredness and need for food we stuck to the road. i was sorely under equipped and spinning like mad on the bianchi set up 38x22. oh well nothing like a little out doors spin class. In the town of vermillion we stopped at a little diner and had some god awful tacos...thankfully none of us got sick. Then it was back on the bikes and to the vans.We rescued our boats and met up again in Hastings, this time for some caving. It was a short cave, maybe 300 feet long. Nestled into the hillside,we had to scurry down the embankment to get to the entrance.

the hole

climbing down

Once in, Josh led us through. On our belles we crawled, with not even any room to kneel i dragged my self by my fore arms. This was the most unreal experience ive ever had, and is by far the highlight of the year. Josh got some awesome photos while on the boats and in the cave, ill link to those after he posts them. Coming through the back side of the cave we encountered this...

waterfalls are always a bonus where ever you are!

the end of a fantastically awesome day!

2012's shapping up to be a good year. stay posted for more adventures!

EDIT: Josh got his version of the trip up on his blog. check it...