We “pushed the envelope” with our new e-boat technology and traveled to and from Flathead Lake’s beautiful Wild Horse Island with battery power (aka unicorn power) alone. No speed barriers were broken. In fact, we went sloooow enough to smell the wild roses.

Don’t tell anyone, but we traveled for 2 hours without seeing a single boat (and we can see at least six miles on this vast body of freshwater). And this, on a Saturday in mid-June with ideal, calm, relatively warm conditions.

I’ve been waiting for 8 months. I knew from past experience that I could launch the boat when the level of Flathead Lake achieved 3′ below summer’s full pool.

Wrong!

Either I miscalculated or winter storms have pushed the shoreline rocks higher. I think the latter. Anyway, not enough water for launch. All I accomplished was a broken trailer taillight and an unintended swim in very cold water (while searching for the taillight pieces). We did salvage the outing, however, with picnic at a nearby park.

Falling in the freezing water of Flathead Lake was the second shock of the day. The first was filling the 60-gallon boat tank with premium gas at the new, post-Covid prices! We may be outfitting the boat with long paddles.