Rigging the boats at the Sauk river launch next to the highway 530 bridge. It was raining when I started to rig, but stopped when I was mostly done.

Swallows nest in the high bank. The holes where the nests are located are easy to see; what didn't show well was all the activity around us as the swallows were flying about.

We stopped for lunch at a small beach.

We set up camp on the right bank about 10 miles below the launch. Al is tonight's designated cook.

The kitchen was set up on a sandy beach by an old logjam. We had plenty of nearby wood for the night's fire!

We had a view of Sauk Mountain from the camp.

The camp is spread out along a long beach.

We had a roast going in a dutch oven, and potatoes baking in some coals. There was enough wind that we set up a wind break for the DO. Another set of coals will be started later so we can bake Brownies for desert.

Al doing his thing.

Plenty of beach for the 3 of us. I took a walk before dinner to enjoy the surroundings.

It's rough on the river, but we make do. Tonight's menu: Prime Rib Roast, steamed vegetables, and baked potatoes with all the fixings. We had fresh baked brownies for desert.

The trip continues on Sunday. This part of the Sauk is all flat water. It is a very scenic and relaxing float.

A bald eagle is swooping down on a family of ducks

The eagle swooped over continually. I don't know if the he was looking for a duckling lunch, or just causing trouble.

Al is just reaching the confluence with the Skagit.

At the confluence, you can see a difference in color where the two rivers meet. The skagit is fairly clear at this point. The Sauk is grey due to the glacial flour added to it by the Suiattle river.

A view up the Skagit from where we joined it.

The confluence is below Sauk Mountain.

Looking downstream from the confluence.

Al caught a fish at a stop on the Skagit. It turns out I was only doing casting practice on this trip.

Loading up the trucks again at the takeout.

More pictures on Bill's web site.