Lake Sakakawea

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El and Bill

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C Dory Year
2000
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Hull Identification Number
Sold in 2012
Vessel Name
Halcyon
Wow - hit a gold mine of tales from Yellowstone John when inquiring about Big Horn Canyon and Ft. Peck Reservoir. Now - let's try Lake Sakakawea.

Yellowstone John, Wildthing, Jim and Joan???? More info - best launch sites, places to see, and some of your experiences on the lake.
 
We're doing some background work on this lake for possible cruising this summer. I know that Yellowstone John has said he can't add much, but how about others? North Dakota too far off the beaten path? But it's one of the three largest man-made reservoirs in the US - surely some Brat regularly cruises there - we need info on "best" ramps, places not to miss and any tales of personal experiences on the lake.
 
El and Bill-

Sounds like you're running out of North American lakes to visit!

How about we take up a collection to send you to Lake Baikal?

Now that would be a adventure that would take months to fully explore from all the geological, biological, and cultural perspectives!

Joe. :teeth :thup

lake-baikal-olkhon-island.jpg
 
Great idea, Joe - however, El and I have cruised on Lake Baikal -- but not on the C-Dory - so let's ship it over!
 
El and Bill":21u9k4li said:
Great idea, Joe - however, El and I have cruised on Lake Baikal -- but not on the C-Dory - so let's ship it over!
Click to expand...

I looked over your site to no avail for a mention of Lake Baikal before suggesting it, so thought it was a safe bet!

I've seen some programs on it on television, and think it would be quite interesting!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
We were on Baikal before our C-Dory days, Joe. El and I traveled through the old Soviet Union on our own. In those days, a geologist traveling there without an Intourist guide or without being part of a group under Intourist was considered a CIA operative. Geologists hang out in strange places, looking at rocks, and apparently that made a good CIA cover for prowling around 'forbidden' remote places. Took over a year to get visas.

So, although we didn't have an Intourist guide on our solo traveling, we always had KBG following us. We have some tales to tell, over a 'sundowner' in the cockpit someday.

We started in Shanghai, crossed Mongolia, and entered the Soviet state through Ulan-Ude - not the usual entering point, and the Soviets didn't want us there but watched us like hawks (or vultures, depending on your viewpoint). PS - also tailed throughout China. Interesting times, back then.
 
Anyway - any info on Lake Sakakawea? We paddled through the lake on a double kayak but didn't take note of marinas or gas stops etc. We have info from the internet but nice to get personal opinions and tales.
 
For C-Dory folks motivated perhaps to visit and boat Fort Peck and Sakakawea Lakes, knowing some of the history of the area will greatly enrich your boating. I recommend J.M.Hanson's "Conquest of the Missouri," as starters.

With the technology available today in mapping and GPS systems, one can pinpoint under our keels the numerous historic events which occurred as we cruise along on these lakes. I was thinking about creating historical way points on Fort Peck Lake to inform the boater that approximately at this coordinate an historic event occurred. It would add immensely to the pleasure of boating on these waters.

John
 
Great idea - pinpointing with GPS historic sites, under the keel or along the shore - we encourage you to go for it, John
 
Dear Bill and El,
We get the North Dakota Outdoors magazine and it looks like the water levels are back up to a reasonable level on Sakakawea. The last time I was there the water was low enough to be hazardous because of old exposed tree trunks and lurking dead heads- mind you, we were in a sailboat with a keel. Fishing is the main attraction on Sacakawea, and it can be terrific.
I am only familiar with the Newtown portion of the lake. It is is huge. Usually the focus was on Walleyes and Northerns. Newtown is home to the three affiliated tribes- Hidatsa, Arikara, and Mandan. As Sakakawea was filling up they had to move three towns that went under water- Elbow woods, Sanish, and I think Mandaree. Hence the 'Newtown'. They have a marina about two miles from town to the west that should be open. There is a casino with boat docks, and the town has lots of Indians and friendly Norwegians. To tell which is which, keep in mind that the Norwegians are the light skinned ones.
There are few cruisers on the lake-mostly fishermen, and a C-Dory is the perfect boat . I will see if I can get My brother-in-law to reply. He knows alot more about it than myself or Cheryl.
 
Thanks Roger - sure appreciate the information and the history. Any additional info. will be useful, we're sure. Looking forward to cruising the lake.
 
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