The Great Mississippi River Adventure

Day 51 or bonus day 6

Stats

38.2 miles traveled in 6:07 hours

River mile start:210

River mile end: 167

River mile today: 43

River mile total:2128

% complete: 92.2

Miles to go: 167+12=179

Average 6.2 mph (breaks, lunch)

Burned 1280 calories

Kayak: Y&H Quest 

Temp at launch 80 degree, at pick up 95

Today was hot and sunny...again.  From the very beginning I was dodging barges. It seemed what ever side of the river I chose there was a barge headed my way. At one point I came around a bend in the river and there was a 42 barge conglomerate coming at me on my side of the river. I had to split the space between the moving barge and the barge island. On the good news side, my presence was reported by boat captains at least 5 times.

At one point as I was passing a barge island a tow boat surprised me moving a barge. I paddled backwards to let him pass. After he passed I started to paddle again only to be surprised by a second tow boat. The second one stayed in the barge farm. But it did startle me.

The day ended with a sea going vessel passing me. The wake wasn't as big as I expected, but the speed with which it passed was noteworthy. 

For the record I have seen 0 poisonous snakes, 0 alligators, and 0 sharks.

Did I mention it's hot!?

Good night all!