Day 80 Mississippi River
I rose to a brisk but sunny morning. Condensation caked the inside of my tents rainfly following a night that hovered in the mid 30s. Bundled in several layers and topped with cathart overalls I packed up the miscellaneous gear thrown about the inside of the tent and set the rainfly out to dry as I made breakfast.
A relatively calm day on the water followed. Near Helena, AR I received a text from my boss in South Dakota checking in and curious as to my expected end date. After crunching the milage I called her back, leaving a message. By my math I should be wrapped up sometime near the end of the month.
For the first time on the journey I see the end of the line and start thinking about the short amount of time I have left on the river. From there my mind begins to sort out the tasks I need to get done once I get home. Get a basketball schedule together, think of a new segment for my radio show, line up this, work on that.
I try my best to focus back on the moment and enjoy where I'm at. With music playing, a slight tail breeze, barge traffic reliably buzzing by and blue skies with temps in the mid 50s, I paddle as my head drifts through a sea of thoughts.
As the sun began to set I found a large sandbar on the Arkansas side of the river. Water levels are set to rise in the coming days, so I walk a good 50 yards or so from the edge of the sand toward higher ground and set up camp. Another night in the mid 30s. A small campfire warmed me until I hit the tent.
Cruising on the Mississippi Delta.
