Paddle: Kettle River - Matilda's Second Boat Ride

A few days ago we paddled on the Kettle River, putting in at the MN 48 bridge and paddling upstream. Today we put in at the same place, but paddled downstream instead. After about 1 1/2 hours we turned around and paddled upstream back to our put-in. I figure we paddled down 2-3 miles. This section was much like the upper section we had paddled on Tuesday. It alternated from deep still pools to moderately swift and shallow sandy sections. The trip was uneventful; Matilda did not swim today. We saw another bald eagle and got up close and personal with a white-tailed deer. The deer here are a bright red color, very different from the gray-brown deer at home. We explored several back-water sloughs. We turned up one side creek and followed it upstream about 1/2 mile before it returned to the river. It turns out it was not a creek at all, but an alternate channel in the river. It was a very pleasant paddle, but now we are ready for some conventional downstream action. Unfortunately we can find no other paddlers here to help set a shuttle for a longer trip.

I find that I am getting in a rut, showing pictures of Dorcas' backside (again), but now with Matilda in the foreground. Some readers are demanding pictures of Matilda so they can watch her grow. I will try to provide some balance.