Solo Kayaking Adventure in Vermont’s Epic Green River Reservoir Part 2!

Part 2: The Morning Mist and the “Solo” Journey Back

If you Missed Part 1, Click Here!

The Unexpected Visitor
My heart pounded in my chest as I gripped the bear spray, holding my breath, listening intently. The scratching stopped, followed by a rustling sound near the edge of the tent. My mind raced through possibilities: a bear? A bobcat? Then, through the tension, I heard a familiar voice whisper, “Hey! You awake in there?” My grip on the spray loosened as I recognized the voice. I unzipped the tent just enough to peek outside and saw my friend Matt standing there, grinning in the dim light.

“How did you find me, you jerk?” I asked with a chuckle, a mixture of surprise and relief washing over me. “You didn’t think I’d let you have all the fun, did you?” Matt replied with a laugh. “I started out a few hours after you since I unexpectedly got the day off, and I figured I’d catch up. Thanks for leaving the float plan with your wife.She also got  your text with the updated  camping spot. I texted her and she ratted you out!  Just made things easier to find you, you know you can’t hide!”

I always leave a float plan with my family when I go on solo trips. It’s a crucial safety step that outlines my planned route, estimated arrival times, and check-in points. I also make a habit of texting my location whenever I have cell signal, so if anything goes wrong, people know where to start looking. Knowing I had taken these precautions, Matt decided to join the adventure at the last minute. It was a smart move to paddle in just before dusk, giving him plenty of visibility to navigate the waters safely.

“Well, you certainly made an entrance,” I said, finally letting out a good laugh as I helped him pull his kayak up onto the shore. It wasn’t the solo experience I had planned, but I wasn’t complaining. The best adventures are often the ones that take unexpected turns.

A Campfire Reunion
After securing his kayak, we set up a small campfire and settled in for the night. The air was growing colder, so I threw on an extra layer to stay warm. Matt rummaged through his gear and pulled out a Mountain House Freeze-Dried Meal for himself. We boiled water using my compact stove, and within minutes, he was digging into a warm dinner while I savored the remembrance of my earlier catch.

As we sat by the fire, the fog began to roll in, creeping through the trees and across the water. The scene was surreal, with the mist swirling around us in the dim light of the fire. We swapped stories of past trips and laughed over the day’s events. The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows against the tent and surrounding trees. The warmth was comforting against the growing cold, and we both wrapped our jackets tighter around us as we gazed into the glowing embers.

“You know,” Matt began, his voice thoughtful, “there’s something about sitting out here in the wilderness that makes life’s usual worries seem insignificant.” I nodded in agreement, appreciating the calm of the evening. We chatted about upcoming adventures, places we wanted to explore, and even compared our gear setups. Matt pulled out a Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp, showing off its various lighting modes. “This thing is a lifesaver when you need to move around camp in the dark,” he said, adjusting the beam. I made a mental note to consider adding one to my own gear collection.

The conversation flowed easily, broken only by the occasional pop of the firewood, until it finally dwindled to glowing embers.The night had taken on an unexpected but comforting atmosphere, reminding me that even the most meticulously planned solo trips can become richer with the company of a good friend.

Waking Up to Fog
The next morning, I woke to the world transformed. The fog clung to the surface of the lake, creating an ethereal scene that seemed almost otherworldly. Every sound was muted, from the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze to the distant call of a loon somewhere out on the water. The mist wrapped around the trees, turning their vivid autumn colors into soft, watercolor-like hues. I could barely see more than a few feet in front of me, adding a sense of mystery to the morning. It was the kind of fog that you only see in stories, thick enough to make the world feel endless and confined all at once.

I took a moment to soak in the misty view, savoring the peace before the hustle of packing up. Matt was already up, inspecting his kayak and sipping from his Stanley Classic Trigger-Action Travel Mug, which had kept his coffee hot despite the chilly air.

I grabbed my CamelBak Chute Mag Water Bottle and added an electrolyte packet to the water. The cool, fruity flavor was refreshing as it washed away the remnants of sleep. We shared a quick breakfast of Clif Protein Bars and trail mix, grateful for the compact, high-energy food that would fuel us for the paddle back.

Packing Up the Camp
With breakfast done, it was time to pack up the camp. Everything glistened with a fine layer of dew, adding to the challenge of packing up efficiently. I rolled up my Sea to Summit DryLite Towel and used it to wipe off the seats of our kayaks, removing the thin layer of moisture that had settled overnight. The quick-drying fabric of the towel made it a must-have piece of gear, keeping our equipment dry and comfortable.

The fog made the task feel almost ceremonial. Each piece of gear went back into its designated spot in my dry bag, the tent packed away with care to ensure it would be ready for the next outing. Matt worked beside me, loading up his gear with the practiced efficiency of a seasoned paddler. The air was heavy with anticipation for the journey back, and though I was sad to leave, there was also a sense of excitement for what lay ahead.

Launching into the Mist
We pushed our kayaks into the water, the fog enveloping us as we left the shore behind. It was as though we had paddled into another world, the mist reducing everything to shades of gray and white. I reached into the pocket of my life vest for another Clif Protein Bar, knowing we’d need the energy for the long paddle ahead.

We decided to stick close to the shoreline, the fog too thick to see the opposite bank of the reservoir. Each paddle stroke was slow and deliberate, slicing through the still water and leaving a trail of ripples that faded into the mist. It was a peaceful, almost hypnotic journey, our movements synchronized as we navigated along the familiar contours of the shore.

As we paddled, I couldn’t help but notice the small details of the shoreline that had been lost in the bright sunlight of the previous day. Moss-covered rocks peeked out from the mist, and the faint outlines of pine trees loomed in the distance like silent sentinels. The water was so still that it mirrored the fog, making it difficult to distinguish where the lake ended and the air began. Every now and then, a fish would break the surface, sending gentle ripples that spread across the water, reminding us of the life teeming beneath.

We paddled in silence for a while, each lost in the rhythm of the strokes and the serenity of our surroundings. The fog wrapped around us like a blanket, muting the sounds of the forest and creating a cocoon of calm.

A Mid-Paddle Break
After an hour or so of paddling, we decided to take a break. I reached into my dry bag for my Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir, taking a few sips of water mixed with electrolytes to stay hydrated. We drifted for a moment, letting the fog and the quiet of the reservoir fill the space around us. Out of nowhere, the sound of wings flapping broke the silence—a flock of geese took off from a nearby cove, their silhouettes barely visible as they soared into the misty sky.

“That’s a sight you don’t get to see every day,” Matt murmured, his eyes following the birds as they disappeared into the fog. I nodded, grateful for the moment of serenity that made the effort of getting here worth every ounce of energy.

Navigating the Final Stretch
We resumed our journey, the fog beginning to lift slightly, revealing glimpses of the shoreline ahead. The air was cool and crisp, each breath a reminder of the changing season. A light drizzle started to fall, so I reached for my Outdoor Research Foray II Rain Jacket, pulling it on to stay dry. The jacket was lightweight and breathable, perfect for the unpredictable fall weather. As the rain tapped gently on the surface of the lake, we paddled on, enjoying the rhythm of each stroke and the occasional splash of water against our kayaks.

The shoreline slowly came into full view, and we knew we were nearing the end of our adventure. The drizzle ceased, leaving behind a glistening layer of water droplets on our gear. The reservoir had given us both solitude and companionship, two contrasting experiences that made the trip unforgettable.

Back at the Starting Point
When we finally pulled up to the boat launch, a wave of mixed emotions hit me. Relief for reaching our destination safely, a hint of sadness that the trip was over, and immense gratitude for the experience. We unloaded our gear, carefully wiping down our kayaks with the Sea to Summit DryLite Towel to prepare them for transport.

Reflecting on the Adventure
With the kayaks loaded and gear packed, we took a final moment to look back at the lake. The fog had almost completely lifted, revealing the reservoir in all its autumnal glory. I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and peace. This trip had been about more than just paddling and camping; it was a journey of self-discovery, of facing unexpected surprises, and finding joy in the quiet moments of nature.

As we climbed into our vehicles, Matt turned to me and grinned. “So, where’s the next adventure?” I laughed, feeling the familiar spark of excitement. “I’m sure we’ll find something,” I replied. Because the truth was, adventures like this never really end—they just pave the way for the next journey.

Ready to Gear Up?
Inspired to take on your own kayaking and camping adventure? Check out the essential gear below to make your trip both comfortable and unforgettable!