The Great Mississippi River Adventure

Day 31

Stats

41.07 miles traveled in 8:12 hours

River mile start:273

River mile end:232

River mile today: 41

River mile total:1109

% complete: 46.7

Average 5.0 mph (locks, breaks, lunch)

Burned 2560 calories

Kayak: Y&H Quest 

Temp at launch 62degree, at recovery 72 degree

The weather last night rolled in fast and furious.  Initially there was some leaking from the rain fly. Eventually I readjusted the rain fly and the leaks were minimized. I used the second tarp to line the inside of the tent. I slept warm and cozy. All night long there was rain and thunder.

This morning my day was delayed because of continued rain. Finally at 7:30 it stopped raining long enough to break camp and load the kayak. 30 minutes later the rain began. It rained on me all day long. I  kept hoping for afternoon sun to help dry things out. Around 2:30 it was clear the rain had no end in sight. I called Denean for a pick up. I have a way of camping and sleeping comfortably with everything wet. But with the option of sleeping in a dry trailer, why not.

Shortly after we established a pick up spot 8 miles down River, the tornado warning sirens started going off. I  continued to paddle as fast as possible close to the shore as thunder kept rolling.  Denean had a rough time driving to the pickup point because of the tornado warning and rain. Everything turned out ok.

When I was leaving the island, my eagles were perched onto of different trees calling out as if to say "don't go out there!"

Oh yeah...I went over 1100 miles paddled!