Day 93 Mississippi River
I slept in on this Thanksgiving 2017. Once up I gave my family a call in Dallas, TX where they were gathered for the holiday.
After talking with the family I took a leisurely morning, writing and enjoying breakfast and coffee.
I finally hit the water around 11:30am. Baton Rouge, my goal for the night, sat roughly 25 miles downriver.
I worked quickly through the open water, jetting from one bend to the next, doing my best to stick to the inside corners in hopes of avoiding barges. At one point I was pinched in a corner as two barges, one Southbound and one northbound, passed close to shore. I hopped on the Marine radio and spoke with the captain of the northbound vessel.
"You just stick right there buddy and we'll cruise on by. Once I'm past you it looks pretty clear for a while"
I continued on and by 3 or 4 O'clock reached the Port of Baton Rouge. The river in this commerce driven stretch houses a massive ExonMobile plant and countless other commodities that get loaded onto ships. Luckily for me, the traffic wasn't too bad, likely due to the fact it was near sunset on Thanksgiving day.
After navigating barges, massive ocean going vessels and empty tow boats I arrived at my destination, glass beach, a public boat ramp just down river from the I-10 bridge. As I pulled up, three fellas stood on shore, watching, with their fishing boat pulled out of the water on the ramp.
"Can I shake your hand?!"
I extended out my arm and looked him in the eye.
"I can't believe you're out there in a kayak"
Once they learned I had come from Minnesota, you'd have thought they just met a celebrity.
"You want some thanksgiving dinner now? I'm gonna get a meal I made for myself"
The fella walks back to his truck, then arrives again with a styrofoam take out container. Turkey, delicious ham, baked beans, rice, a roll and a delicious bacon casserole.
"Can't go on thanksgiving with out a meal now. That's just how we are down here."
Thankful for the encounter and the great homemade meal I walked around the corner and began stashing my gear in the trees nearby. Once unloaded I sat down at the rivers edge, relaxed, and devoured a wonderful thanksgiving day meal. It was sooo, sooo good. By far some of the best ham I have ever had. To say it hit the spot would be an understatement.
Camped out near the river at the moment. Will need to run into town tomorrow to pick up mail from the students I am working with. LSU plays Texas A&M Saturday night in town. Debating wether or not I should stay and get a ticket. We'll see.
Great, low key thanksgiving. Thankful for family and friends, for a country that allows me to do as I please, and of course, I'm thankful for the Mighty Miss.