It was a busy afternoon as I was late starting again. I managed to squeeze in my usually walk and be home in plenty of time to check over "Sploosh."

I luberciated all the cables and rudder peddles and replaced a worn bungee cord , lubed the ruudder and she is runnning very smooth.

Jay arrived and loaded the yak around 3 and we sat around and played with the mutts untill Patrick arrived. We loaded the yak, fueled the truck and shuttled Jay to Franks Channel 100 kilometers down the Mackenzie highway. The put in was the Franks Channel Forestry station and the wind was dropping so Jay is off and should arrive here next Thursday or Friday at the latest. With the 8 day plan he is using he needs to make 15 to 20 kilometers every day and he should have no trouble.The boat was looking good when he paddled off floating about right and nice and level. Jay was all smiles and ready to go. This is his longest solo trip and he is looking forward to completing it upright, dry and safe home. I personally hope he improves his paddling style to include torso rotation or he will be very tied and sore when he gets back. The most important thing is that he enjoys the trip and gets back in one piece. He is well equiped and has a sound kayaking background, we covered the maps with him and armed him with a marine radio,  so things should go well.

The only mishap was the cock pit cover blew off on the trip to Franks channel and I will need to replace it. The elastics must have been getting old as we have hauled this boat hundreds of miles and never had this problem. Looks like I will have to break out the sewing machine and get busy.

Patrick and I had hoped to luck out and find it oon the return trip and had no such luck. having no idea where it blew off meant we scanned the entire trip back . It could have flown further into the ditch than we hoped or some one may have all ready found it. I could still luck out and find it on one of my bike rides or walks. Small price to pay to get Jay on the water.

On the way home we stopped and cleared all the weeds from the Trans Canada Trail Pavilion, located on the Frame lake trail at the corner of Matonabee street. The Paddlers for Parts Association keeps this area clear as part of Yellowknifes Adopt a Street program. They also do the Pilots monument a couple of times each year keeping the area litter free, one of their favourite past times cleaning the hill.

The City in return for the services place a sign annoucing the name of the group that does the work and we feel that this is a fine trade.

Seems my weed wacker collection needs a little work and after only six years of abuse. Just don`t make stuff like thay used to. I think that Harley-Davidson should make a weed wacker, full meal deal twin V the works and if you could ride it even better.

The Trans Canada trail virtual walk continues and toay I made the 6,507,567 step along the trail. I and nearing the 255 completed mark but it is still a ways away. 750,000 steps is pretty close to whats left of the first quarter. Cheers folks, Greg.