The Great Mississippi River Adventure 

Day 13

Stats

37.60 miles traveled in 6:41 hours

River mile start:929

River mile end:891

River mile today: 38

River mile total:450

% complete: 17.9

Averaged 5.6 mph (carries and lunch)

Burned 1751 calories

Kayak: Carolina 14

Temp at launch 43 degree, at recovery degree 50

Today, for the first time this trip, the wind was at my back.  I couldn't believe how fast I was going, in my old kayak! If the weather has cooperated I'd be well past Minneapolis. No use in crying over spilled milk. The temperature at put in was 43 degrees with the wind at 14 mph from the NW. I chose to bypass Sauk Rapids mainly because it was cold and I wasn't excited over them. I would say they were class 1 and just a nuisance. Shortly after starting I portaged St Cloud dam. This was a 650 yard carry. 

From the dam it was an 18 mile paddle to Oak island, a DNR campsite. I would have lived to camp there, it was fairly high from. The river and it had a fire ring.

From there it was an easy 15 mile paddle to end the day. 

Tomorrow I hope to get within 5 miles of downtown Minneapolis and set up for crossing Minnie.

One thing that I have been amazed about,  I have had multiple eagles escorting me every day!