Posts in barges
Day 100 Mississippi River
Day 100 Mississippi River

I had hoped to get an early start on the water this morning. Once the 6:15am alarm rang I peeked my head out of the tent to find dense, low lying fog engulfing the river. I calmly laid my head back onto my pillow and drifted off. This process replayed itself three or so more times before I found the fog burning off. Satisfied with the conditions, I made a quick breakfast and hit the water.

While still busy, the traffic today has considerably slowed down (thankfully). I still have cargo ships, freighters and barges buzzing by, but at this point both edges of the river are open. No containers moored to either side.

I got a lot of love on the water today. A horn toot from a towboat, lots of waves from folks on the shores and cheers from workers on the docks. At one point, a massive cargo ship passed me on the left side. On my right a ferry was docked, and the worker ushering cars onboard gave me a calm wave. I then heard a voice yelling from a distance. As I looked to my left the captain of the cargo ship (true to form in his all white captain "uniform") and another were out on the catwalk that extends from the cockpit. One fellow was waving his arms emphatically back and forth, yelling my way. I gave him a big wave, fist pump and thumbs up back. They loved it. A few horn blows later they passed, and on the stern of the vessel was painted "HONG KONG", their home port.

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barges, Storms, LouisianaWill CollinsbargesComment
Day 97 Mississippi River
Day 97 Mississippi River

Another gorgeous day awaited me as I packed up camp on the gator print sandbar. Once on the water the day consisted of avoiding large barges and ocean going cargo ships. A slight breeze from the south created a light headwind that seemed to turn on and off as I weaved the large "S" curves of the river, gaining a wind barrier from time to time.

A half hour or so before sunset I pulled off the water in a peculiar spot. A thin patch of trees stood in front of the levy near the small town of Welcome, LA. Tying my boat up to the rocky shore I unloaded and set up the hammock between two trees, as no flat space was available for a tent. With the sounds and lights of barges, tow boats, ocean vessels, cranes, grain elevators and industry busing about I laid down and fell asleep.

Solid day. Looking forward to getting past New Orleans soon.

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barges, LouisianaWill Collinsbarges, WelcomeComment
Day 96 Mississippi River
Day 96 Mississippi River

 I woke up with the sunrise as barges worked back and forth under an orange sky in the Port of Baton Rouge. Before pushing off for the day and leaving the capital of Louisiana behind I needed a water refill and food resupply.

I walked out from the forest I was camped in, trotted over the levy, and put my skateboard to the pavement. Following a cup of coffee and an egg, Swiss and ham croissant at PJ's coffee shop I located a small market downtown. With a backpack full of groceries and empty water containers I skated back toward home base. On the way I spotted a water fountain off the bike path and filled up my 3 water jugs (that started the trip in Minnesota as plastic apple juice containers) and a 2 gallon collapsible container that had been given to me by John Sullivan all the way back in La Crosse, WI.

I was able to push off into the river around 10:30am. Traffic in the Port of Baton Rouge was busy, with barges and tow boats constantly moving back and forth, and massive ocean going vessels moored up to the loading docks. As I paddled through the Port I weaved back and forth between the two shores doing my best to avoid the commotion

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Baton Rouge, barges, LouisianaWill CollinsLa CrosseComment
Day 93 Mississippi River
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"

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Good People, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, bargesWill CollinsBaton RougeComment
Day 82 Mississippi River
Day 82 Mississippi River

Rain tapped the tarp overhead that covered my tent. A small part of me was content because it gave me a good excuse to stay in bed. When I came to about an hour later the rain had stopped, giving me the all clear to get the day started.

I made oatmeal and coffee as I did my best to let the tent dry before packing it away. Clouds hid the sun despite a warm day in the low 60s.

Once packed up and ready to push off a drizzle began to fall. Not enough of a rain to get you soaked, but enough to mist over the sunglasses on my face. Shortly after it started, the sprinkles stopped. This would be a pattern throughout the day.

With no wind to effect my progress I made steady time southbound. The river seemed to be busy today with barge traffic.

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Arkansas, bargesWill CollinsComment