The first 60 miles!

We have completed the first 60 miles! It is an accomplishment in itself that we were able to complete it within the time frame of the three days which we set for ourselves given that everyone warned us it would take twice as long as we originally planned. I am thrilled to discover that while a 10.5 hr river day is a long one, it is by far not a stretch beyond limits of body or mind.  The fact that we were able to go 31 miles in a day with very little current helping us along, reinforces that we'll be able to put in the miles we need to downstream.

 

7/20 Lake Itasca- a crowd gathered around our brightly colored kayaks and piles of dry bags-wondering about the strange phenomenon of people about to get on a river no deeper then one's knee. Some people asked immediately, are you going to the Gulf? Others were astounded "my that's a long way!"  Like puppies on a leash we began guiding our kayaks this way and that down the shallows. People gathered at a bridge overhead and applause broke out in support. I felt like I was on a stage once more and the echoing claps filled my heart with gratitude. Down we went, in and out of our boats, around rocks, over trees. At lunch the looming clouds spoke of rain and I smiled at the coming adventure. After our PB&J on bagels (our staple lunch for the next few days) we put on our Kokatat paddling jackets and headed into the coming storm. Through the winding wetlands of rice grass and reeds we paddled. The heavens opened and poured out their greeting. I laughed with wonder as the drops pelted down into the water below, reunited once more with their cousins. Onwards we went, through alternating shallows and wetlands.

 

We arrived at camp and emerged from our boats like soggy dogs, the rain had subsided and into dry clothes and a meal of Mac and Cheese (the first of many I believe) we dove. Cramming into Kevin's tent to escape the hoards of mosquitoes. There's a sign at the headwaters that describes the beasts as "voracious long-billed and dyspeptic musketoes" and it sums them up perfectly. The following day was clear and thankfully cool as we once more launched into wetland after wetland. The river shifts and turns and doubles back on itself, contouring itself in endless loops. Blue Heron, Muskrat, Turtles, a Bald Eagle, osprey, deer. We are in their land and it is beautiful!

 

We missed our first campsite choice for the night and unknowingly entered into another 7 mile stretch of wetland. On we paddled and arrived at the next camp. A swarm of canoe campers were settling into their campfire of hot chocolate and smores and graciously shared the site with us. The mosquitoes were out in full force once more and I am now paying the price in pure itchiness. I don't think I can count the number of bites I have, but let's just say that copious amounts of bug spray do very little to deter them.

 

Our long 2nd day, made for an easy 15 miles (after winding our way through a thicket of one downed tree after another) and we rolled into Bemidji around 4 pm. A shower, a restful night of sleep, a little repacking of gear and we'll be off once more, across Lake Bemidji and onto the next 2,440 miles! It feels strange to be at a computer after only 3 days of  being out on the river, but the adventure awaits. Minus a few blisters, bruises, and bites I'm itching (no pun intended:) to just start paddling once more!

Brian and Danielle at the Mississippi

Our first interaction with the Mississippi

 

Arrival in Minnesota

Bemidji, Minnesota

 

We are a day away from putting in on our 3 month 2,500 mile trip down the Mississippi River. Feelings of excitement course through my veins. The pre-trip preparations are nearly complete. Brian and I have been staring at maps for the last few days, speaking with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources river experts and learning as much as we can about the challenges that face us in the first 60 miles of the river. Our first three days of paddling from Lake Itasca to Bemidji are thick with cattails, braiding channels, and very little current to help guide our way. I'm hoping the cool weather we've been having will hold so the bugs won't be quite as treacherous and the water levels will stay a little higher; but it will unfold as it does, and we will adapt accordingly.

 

For the nitty details of what we've been up to, we left Sausalito in the wee hours of the morning to catch a 4am airporter, slept on two flights and arrived in Minneapolis. Did you know that in the Denver airport the bathrooms double as Tornado Bunkers? And swimming pools in Minnesota tend to be round not rectangular?

 

In Minneapolis we were hosted by the Melby's, Gordon and Betty, and were overwhelmed by their hospitality. Gordon took us all around the area. We saw the Mall of America, stopped at DNR headquarters to get maps, got our first glance at the Mississippi, and most importantly were introduced to the Auxillary Coast Guard. The President of the first Flotilla, Dennis, took time to go over maps, safety protocol on the river, and allowed Brian and I to introduce ourselves and our trip with What About Blue to the members at their monthly meeting. Everyone was more then welcoming and we've found that's a bit of trend around here.

 

Thank you to the Melby's, the Nelson's, and everyone who has opened their hands so far.

 

Our bus ride to Bemidji was long, and it's hard to imagine that it will take a month to travel by kayak the distance traveled in less then 7 hours by road but it should be a beautiful journey. The lakes and surrounding greenary are magnificent (even with Minnesota in a drought). And today we watched a play at the local art festival all about history and importance of water in this area. It was very appropos for the beginning of our trip.

 

But enough writing, it's time to start paddling! While the unknowns of this trip are bountious, for myself, for the group, for the journey, I am eagerly anticipating tomorrow and the next day and the next....

 

See you on the river!

 

(check out some photos from the last few days as well in the photos section)