The Great Mississippi River Adventure

Day 18

Stats

27.38 miles traveled in 6:23 hours

River mile start:800

River mile end:971

River mile today: 29

River mile total:570

% complete: 24

Average 4.3 mph (lock, breaks, lunch)

Burned 1708 calories

Kayak: Y&H Quest 

Temp at launch 49 degree, at recovery 63

degree

Today was good day! Until the wind started. At first everything was smooth. I made it through lock 3 and started paddling with a pace that was going to put me at 5 mph Average speed. Then lake Pepin and the wind from the north decided I needed a workout. When you're on the south side of a lake with a wind from the north, things are going to be challenging.  The waves were so big they were dumping water into my kayak the entire time I was fighting to keep fro. Being shoved onto the south shore. 

Because of the wind I ended up stopping about 7 miles short. At mile 37 there was a brewery I wanted to end at. Wind ruins things.

On the wildlife scene, for the 18th day in a row I have had my eagle escort. Males and females. They have a beautiful song. I also saw turtles. 

When going through lock 3 I had to wait for a barge to come out of the lock. 3 wide took forever to exit and get up to speed.

Let's hope I can get some distance soon!