The Great Mississippi River Adventure or A Dream Too Far?

Day 1

Stats

27.6 miles traveled in 7:43 hours

River mile start:1341

River mile end:1315

River miles today:26

Averaged 3.6 mph (including lunch break and all carries)

Burned 2767 calories

Kayak: Perception Carolina 14

Temp at launch 50 degree, at recovery 83 degrees

This morning we left the campsite at 6:30 with an estimated time of Arrival at Itasca by 8:00 (park opening time). We arrived before 8, walked to the head water monument. took pictures, came back, used the bathroom, unloaded the gear, and started paddling.  Start time was a late 8:45.

The current was good and I was able to make good time until the first "OMG which way is the current going" moment. Of course, that's when I couldn't get cell coverage.  I had to stop (OMG, Stop?!?!) and watch where the current ripples could be seen. Figured that out and continued paddling until..."why is all this tall dead grass in my way? and why is the water flowing to it?" that yielded a 15 minute 54 point turn. 

The rest of the day was pretty much just paddling, through more tall dead grass, going through rocky spots, and fighting hairpin turns with the current slamming my kayak into the opposing river edge. Carrying around the dam, the beaver dam, and the fallen tree (river mile 1331) was not hard. fighting the current around the turns had a long lasting exhaustion effect. 

From a wildlife point of view I saw plenty of ducks, all different kinds (I really need to learn my duck species), I saw beautiful Trumpeter swans. They are huge and just beautiful! I saw two Eagles. Again huge and beautiful. And a beautiful Yellow Bellied Slider turtle, Close enough to grab him if I was so inclined.

The weather was perfect, blue skies, some wind in the afternoon, but comfortable. If there was ever a sign from God saying go do this paddle, today was it!

I had planned on paddling until Bear Den boat carry but was advised it was closed, so I paddled to State Road 5 and pulled out.  It was 2.5 miles short of where I wanted to be, but my shoulders had had enough abuse today. Hopefully tomorrow isn't as taxing and I can do more mileage.