The Great Mississippi River Adventure 

Day 2

Stats

27.2 miles traveled in 7:12 hours

River mile start:1315

River mile end:1286

River mile today:29

River mile total:55

Averaged 3.8 mph (including lunch break and visiting)

Burned 2147 calories

Kayak: Perception Carolina 14

Temp at launch 50 degree, at recovery 70 degrees

The goal today was to paddle 30 miles at a minimum and 37 miles as the reach. Unfortunately the wind from the northeast said no.  I  put in at state rd 5 just before bear den water access at 8:30 (discussion on why the late start later). From 8:30 until 11:30 i Averaged 4.5 mph through winding river miles.

I  caught up with fellow paddle Brian Blom who is canoeing to the gulf as well. We sat and talked for a while before moving on.

The river did its "guess where the actual river flow is" and for the most part i guessed correctly.  There was one dead end where i had the reverse course, but i only lost 10 minutes. 

The section that was supposed to have multiple lig jams was fairly clear. I Don't know if I thank Minnesota DNR or the local residents.  There was one recent downed tree that was blocking me from moving, so I cut a key limb and there should be plenty of room for kayaks and canoes. Due to old age or fumbleitis I dropped my saw. I  call it my sacrifice to the cause. It must have worked because I had clear paddling the rest of the way. 

The wildlife today was as yesterday,  beavers, turtles,  trumpeter swans, geese, ducks, and eagles.

The reason I only did 27 miles is the steady 12 to 13 mph wind. When I got lake Irving I was greeted with white caps for the 1 mile crossing.  I was going to tap out, but in looking for the kayak access point I managed to 1. Get across far enough to see a wind break, 2. Get wet enough to realize I'm not getting out of this dry, and 3. Get mad enough to  just say effit and paddle away. So I made it across Lake Irwin,  but then Lake Bemidji showed. The wind was sending waves down the canal between the two lakes an bigger waves than in Irwin.  After paddling 27 miles I didn't want to chance a 2 mile crossing with tired and sore shoulders.  So that was the tap out decision. 

Denean came and got me and we went to a brewery.  Life is good,  tomorrow is a different day!