Summer is ending and I am heading back to the Mississippi River and try and finish the trip. I ended last year in Alton, Illinois just upriver from St. Louis. Heading back there tomorrow and plan to be back on the river on Monday, September 9. In the meantime I've been taking Little joy out …
Continue reading Little Joy is getting back in shape for the Mississippi.
Up in the dark and on the river at first light. Less than 20 miles to St Louis. This will be my last day on the river. I'm just a few miles from Grafton IL where I plan to stop and get some food and drink for the day. My first chance in days. I …
Continue reading St Louis That’s it! October 1, Total miles – 650
On the river at first light I row easily on calm water as the sun begins to rise. I do enjoy this time of day. A barge passes me going down river and I know it will tie up lock 25 when I reach there. I decide to go over to a spillway on the …
At the start of the day I go through Lock no 24 then Clarksville Missouri right after. There are people fishing along the bank and I ask if there is a store in town. A gas station on the other side of town. Someone offered to drive me there. It's too early for a long …
I left Hannibal early and that was the last of anyone I would see that day. I passed a few barges and had a long wait at a lock. I don't even think the lock men talked with me. I found a sandbar and stopped for the night. It was small, narrow and low but …
Hannibal Missouri is the boyhood town of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). If you go there and did not know, the town will kindly remind you. There is the Mark Twain dinette, Mark Twain Brewery and the Mark Twain Hotel. There is also the Becky Thatcher Diner, Finns Restaurant and a statue of Tom and Huck …
Continue reading Mark Twain you say… September 27, miles – 10
Today turned out to be a big day through no planning of mine. After passing the Keokuk lock with a 28 foot drop I emerged into a rough and windy river. I rowed slowly getting bounced by the waves and figured I'll just take my time. Within three miles it calmed with a little wind …
So I'm taking a full day off the river. I have a convenient Super 8, a chiropractor, and severe storms throughout the day. Severe around here means tornado warnings. Plus it's no fun being in a small, open boat on a mighty river during a tornado. (I imagine) You may have figured I'm not making …
I saw my first Monarch butterfly on the first day of the trip. I have seen them everyday since. Over the past couple of days I've seen maybe 50 a day. Today I saw well over 100. They fly across the river east to west and flutter over my boat. Mostly solo but often in …
"I heard there was a dead elephant buried in town." I said, prepared to be laughed at by a 20 year old convenience store clerk. "Oh sure, Norma Jean, down on fifth street!" The tiny river town of Oquawka Illinois is known for three things. Number 1, Abraham Lincoln gave a "house divided' speech here. …
Well rested and my back feeling so much better I left Muscutine and headed for Keithsville 27 miles away. That's a long way for me. I recieved a message through Instagram from Justin, one of the 3rd shift guys I met on totem beach a couple of days ago. He invited me to a family …
I wake up a little stiff and immediately decide to stay another night. After lots of lounging I take a walk to check on the boat and stretch out my back. I also go to the Museum of Muscatine Industry. The Industry was buttons. Pearl buttons. They were made from mussel shells which once flourished …
Continue reading Rest and Recuperation September 21, zero miles
My back is aching. I cant get comfortable in my seat. Its actually been stiff and hurting for a few days but this is bad. Its twitchy. It's nothing new I've had this since I was 20. When I strain it it sometimes spasms and when that happens it's all over. I stop in the …
I passed through two locks , Davenport and the others of the Quad Cities. The Davenport water front looked nice but I'm trying to make miles and a storm is coming. In midafternoon the clouds were turning black in the northwest and wind picked up. I was forced to the Illinois shore by barge traffic …
I approach a town differently then in a car. I first have to be along the shore the town is on. Then find the pubic dock or boat ramp and tie up. You must be ready. There is no going back up stream more than 100 yards and then you gotta want it. I tie …
Continue reading Hi I’m Mike September 18, miles 15. Total miles – 348
The water is remarkably calm and the air still. It quickly warms up. I make good miles even though I waited an hour at a lock for a towboat (barge) to finish locking through. They took me after even though two more southbound towboat were waiting. Thanks guys. I have trouble finding a camp for …
Continue reading Can you come out of the tent for me September 17, miles – 25
After 25 miles in the heat I approched Savanna Illinois feeling weak. A nice pontoon boat slowed and came near. We talked for a little and ended up at the marina together where they invited me to their house. David and Dee live five mile down river and towed my boat behind theirs. Dee asked …
Continue reading It’s just a sock. September 16, river miles 25
I was back on the river by noon after spending 22 off of it. Except for two hot meals in the hotel, mostly laying in a clean bed. I feel better. I arrived at a huge beach on an island in Illinois. Yes I reached Illinois when I hit Dubuque. Its 85 degrees, not a …
Continue reading Illinois Beach Party September 15 River Miles- 17
With a nine o'clock late start I make a slow 7 miles to the lock at Dubuque Iowa. I call and told to wait by side for a northbound towboat. It'll be an hour. I leave the marine radio on and listen. A second towboat north bound is coming. I stretch out and wait. As …
Continue reading “Southbound rowboat” September 14 – River Miles-10
I make 27 more miles and get to Mud Lake campground. That on top of the 32 days before I'm very pleased with my progress. I get out of the boat and my back is really stiff. I have to stretch to stand upright. There is a marina right next door but a big panel …
Continue reading Not join a club who would have me as a member September 13 River Miles- 27
I'm having a good day. Weather is nice, had pancakes in Marquette Iowa and I'm making good miles. So good I shoot for Guttenberg Iowa 32 total miles away where I know there is an inn right on the river There is one lock located at Guttenberg and you must pass through to get to …
I reach Lansing Iowa after 7 miles before breakfast. Im going to eat pancakes! I walk through town. First Restaurant closed. Second one closed. I ask a guy and he says I think they take turns opening. That one opens at 10:30. Its only 9:30 so I go to IGA market buy supplies and use …
Continue reading I hate the wind, mean dogs and Lynxville Wisconsin September 11, River Miles 27
This was the morning I heard of Grace's passing. I set out with a heavy heart but I have to keep moving on. I am committed now to 25 miles a day. The weather is a perfect late summer day and forcast the same for at least 5 more days. At the same time a …
Last night I slept at a private permanent campground. I met Gator and his friend, fishing on the dock, who gave me permission to camp then I watched them pull up a 6 pound flathead catfish and an 18 inch small mouth bass. They threw back the bass and were going to eat the catfish. …
Continue reading Don’t let me interrupt, September 9, river miles 20
So today was the day Lijun headed home. We make 5 miles to the town of Wabasha where Lijun can catch a bus to Minneapolis. But first. Pancakes! I havent eaten yet and look forward to pancakes. We walk through a riverfront farmers market and head into town looking for a diner. We ask two …
I recieved a call from my wife yesterday morning telling me my stepdaughter's childhood friend had past away suddenly. Grace Oey was 27, married and a Captain and Flight Surgeon in the US Army. She was smart, stong and energetic. She will be remembered by me that way. My heart hurts today.
Passed through 2 locks today. On the second the lockman leans over the rail and looks down at us. "We had a guy in a rowboat pass through 3 weeks ago. The police called us to ask if we saw him. They caught up with him about a mile south but he jumped in the …
Continue reading Felon in a rowboat September 7 River Miles- 26
Wabasha the home of the National Eagle Center and the set of Grumpy Old Men. A movie my Dad loved. Met a couple on a small pntoon boat going all the way. They told us they started from St Paul on Wednesday. I said we started there on Sunday! Lol. He said "Yeah but we're …
Continue reading Wabasha September 6, River miles – about 20
In the morning we has 8 inches of rain in the boat. That is after bailing 4 inches out the night before. We bailed and set out. Reaching Lake Pepin, a 20 mile long lake, a strong wind was coming behind us for the first time due to the weird weather pattern. So we set …
Its raining. The forecast is for severe thunderstorms with torrential rain for the afternoon and evening. We decide to get back on the river and try to make 11 miles before afternoon. No cab this morning and no Lyft. We can't get a ride back to the marina so we walk a mile down hill …
Continue reading Its raining Day 4, River miles- 11, Total – 46.5
Packed and on the river by 7:30 before anyone on the pleasure boats are stirring we make our way down a back channel. Its calm and quiet. Flocks of White Pelicans fly low over head. We see a couple of Bald Eagles. Back on the main channel the wind begins to stir and slows progress …
Continue reading Labor day! Day 3, River Miles -14, Total -35.5
Little Joy slipped away from the dock and with a couple of easy strokes slide out into the middle of the Mississippi River. With one stroke of the left oar she turned with ease and was pointed South. We were off! The river is not wide, maybe 150 yards across, with little current, here in …
Continue reading We are off! Day 2, River miles – 20, Total 21.5
Down the Mississippi Backwards 