The Great Mississippi River Adventure

Day 55 or bonus day 10

Stats

23.5 miles traveled in 4.53 hours

River mile start:13

River mile end: 0+12

River mile today 25

River mile total:2307

% complete: 100

Miles to go: 0

Average 4.8 mph (breaks)

Burned 1359 calories

Kayak: Y&H Quest 

Temp at launch 75 degree, at pick up 80

Amazing final day! A great accomplishment! Sitting on top of the world! Ecstatic!

Now for the rest of the story...yes it was a great day to complete this amazing journey. But...the current slowed down a lot as the water approached the Head of Passes. The shipping channel was very busy and for the first time I had to radio a ship to coordinate my crossing behind him. After that I arrived at the head of passes. This is the Mississippi River 0 mile. I have now paddled the entire Mississippi River!

From there I entered the South Pass. Which was noticeably slower in current. Less wind, much hotter. 2 miles later I passed the campsite. This is the only campsite on this portion. I suppose one could camp on the beach in the gulf.

9 miles later I passed abandoned Port EADS.

A mile later I made it to the gulf!

Then the trip back began. Early on I found out that paddling upstream was going to be hard. In the middle of the river I was paddling but not moving. I had to use the banks as protection from the current. Every so often I would get lucky and find an Eddie. For the south Pass I was able to Average 3 mph. When I arrived at the head of passes the shipping channels were clear so I sprinted to the west bank. That's when I discovered that 1. There are no Eddie's and 2. My speed dropped to 2.1 mph. This was bad because it was 4 pm and I had 10 miles to go. For the next 10 miles if I stopped paddling I would go backwards. Drinking water, making phone calls to Denean, or just stopping to catch my breath proved to be a problem. 

Eventually a boat stopped by to check on me as the sun was very low in the sky. He came back and gave me a tow the last mile into the marina! I was very appreciative for two reasons 1. I was tired(I could have made it since it was in the channel off the river) 2. But mostly the sun had set, it was dark, and he had running lights. My head lamp was in the day compartment but I couldn't open it. Walter and Beth were very gracious and concerned for my safety and I can't thank them enough. 

Walter is a fishing guide down in Venice. Fin Twisters! His boat was solid with a brand new engine.  I'm sure he's a great guide based on his concern and care of a total stranger! Look him up and book an expedition down in the Mississippi Delta!

On the wildlife count. 0 poisonous snakes, 7 alligators, 0 sharks. Yes I saw 4 alligators yesterday. That's what happens when you paddle close to the bank. 

All in all I paddled for 12 hours 54 minutes. If anybody is planning on doing this portion of the source to sea make sure you have a ride from the sea back to the marina. Call captain Walter. 

Good night all!