Three pairs of paddlers made the trip before.

Journal readers may recall the summer of 2016, when Gibbon natives Sam Gatton and Jesse Rider paddled from near Gibbon up the Minnesota River and down the Red and Hayes rivers to York Factory and Hudson Bay in 50 days.

Madison Eklund began her 1,500-mile kayak journey May 7 in Minneapolis. Since then, she’s dealt with large amounts of pesky bugs, thunderstorms, a tornado warning, excessive heat and mud and high winds.

Recently reaching Lake Winnipeg, a very large but relatively shallow lake, created its own set of challenges including erosion and high water levels that mean former landmarks like sandbars are now submerged.

Submitted photo Kayaker Madison Eklund photographed a breakwater at Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park on Lake Winnipeg.

“Erosion is a huge issue on the lake. Many homes built close to the water are now falling in,” Eklund posted on Facebook.

“Residents are trying to save shoreline by dumping landscaping boulders or putting in massive sandbags to keep the shoreline from receding,” Eklund added.

Then came the mayflies, called “fish flies” on the big lake. They can be so thick, bucket loaders were used to scoop them from marinas. Eklund said she was glad they don’t bite.

If she doesn’t do prearranged meet-ups with friends, Eklund said she finds enjoyment ordering ice cream at Lake Winnipeg marinas.

“I’m trying to enjoy these little things as much as I can, knowing that they’ll cease to exist pretty soon on my route. The last few weeks will be almost complete isolation in the wilderness.” Eklund said.

She reported lots of water recreation on Lake Winnipeg, including shore and boat fishing, canoing, kayaking, stand up paddle-boating, floating on inflatable devices, people and dogs swimming and sailboats, often racing.

Eklund said the lake is filled with big, fast-moving waves.

“I paddled across the lake to Hecla Island. One side was mirror still. By the time I got to the other side, I was fighting a roller coaster of waves,” she posted. “There should have been more shelter along my route, but the high water flooded sand bars and barrier islands. Waves were breaking up in trees, slamming fallen logs into them. It was a very stressful two hours. I almost called a friend for rescue. I was so worried about capsizing, I didn’t take out my phone.”

She’s getting lots of media attention including a radio interview with the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).

Eklund said so far, she found Manitoba very enjoyable, good for her morale.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.)