We couldn't camp on the banks of the Mississippi for five nights without putting the boat into the big water. Today was our last full day here, so today was the day. We put in at a picnic area a few hundred yards from our campsite. We headed down stream and then turned north between Battle Island and a smaller unnamed island. After a mile or so we turned left and headed for the west bank, which was in Iowa. There we beached for a break and a snack. We continued southward across the mouth of the Upper Iowa River. We then crossed back across the main river channel, passed the southern tip of Battle Island and returned to our put in.
It was a pleasant and uneventful trip. We are not particularly fond of big water. The wind was predominately moderate, perhaps 6 mph, but we experienced some gusts up to about 20 mph. No big boats came up the river, but there were about a half dozen power boats that gave us a wide berth.
We paddled only a little over 3 miles. It was a good day on the river.
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| Paddling by Battle Island |
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| The view upstream |
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| Big water |
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| Apparently the Mississippi River is a designated canoe trail, at least in Iowa |
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| Our put-in and take-out at Blackhawk Park |
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| Our route |
3 comments:
Bob Benner sent us a message off-line and scolded Dorcas for not wearing her PFD on such big water. Of course, I was wearing my PFD. Right. Of course Bob is right. Safety first. Where your PFD when on the water!
Bob is always on top of things. Nice pictures and accompanying story.
Hi Dorcas and Myron,
I enjoyed your blog of your trip so far. All I can say is that you are a much better man and woman than I! I could not get your pack off the ground! I am glad you guys are having such a good time. Catch up with me when you get back and i will keep reading in the mean time.
Terry Hill
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