Day 81 Mississippi River

Light seeped into the tent as the sun cut through a clear sky. Still lying in my sleeping bag I grab a pen and paper and knocked out journal entry from the day before.

The morning would take a slow pace, as I sipped a cup of joe and try to catch up on my writing. It was a perfect day – clear blue skies, no wind to speak of and a beating sun that brought a tangible warmth.

By the time I finished the mornings tasks and wrapped up my writing it was somewhere around 11:30 AM. Partly disappointed that I didn't get on the water earlier with such perfect paddling conditions and partly content with the fact that I enjoy the slow morning in the sun, I finally pushed off my sandbar and begin working into the current.

The first part of the afternoon was spent listening to music and watching the homes along the eastern Mississippi shore dot in and out of the tree line. Around 2:30 I tried to pick up the radio broadcast of the Colorado vs. Southern Cal football game on my phone. Due to poor cell service the broadcast would jump in and out, giving me short two minute clips of the action. It was agonizing, yet I went along with it until I was off the water around 5 PM.

With no service at camp I made dinner, started a fire and enjoyed the vivid stars. After burning through a pile of driftwood I called it a night, ready to wake up and repeat tomorrow.

Life rolls on on the Mighty Miss.

Will CollinsComment