Posts tagged Baton Rouge
Day 101 Mississippi River
Day 101 Mississippi River

I was able to get on the water early this morning. The goal was to make a big push toward salt water in hopes of setting myself up to reach the Gulf tomorrow night.

It was a calm and sunny day in southern Louisiana, the first day of December. Traffic has significantly slowed at this point of the river. Large freighters and cargo ships still cruise by fairly regularly, but for the first time since Baton Rouge I was able to experience calmness. No stress caused by boat traffic in the "bee colonies" of the busy ports. Just me paddling a massive river, trees on either side, and a few boats cruising by now and again.

At 10:30 I made a pit stop to refill water and food. DJ's one stop, a small convince store in Ponite à la Hache, LA. This should be the last supply run before reaching the Gulf.

Read More
Baton Rouge, LouisianaWill CollinsBaton Rouge, Ponite à la HacheComment
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"

Read More
Good People, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, bargesWill CollinsBaton RougeComment
Day 92 Mississippi River
Day 92 Mississippi River

I woke up to nearby gunshots just before sunrise. A pair of duck hunters had set up within the vicinity. Despite the barking of a 12 gauge, I slept in a bit and got up on my own time.

After breakfast and breaking down the tent I packed up the boat on a muddy edge and pushed off into the river.

A sunny but cool day awaited. A slight wind from the south blew in at a 45 degree angle.

Late in the day, I noticed something moving quickly along the West Bank. It looked like a running dog. As I got closer I realized it was a full sized healthy coyote. Dark grey in color with a big bushy tail, the coyote sprinted along the edge of the water for 50 yards or so before turning up into the forest.

I passed the St. Francisville bridge around 4pm. Just down river two industrial plants held court on the rivers edge. The plant on the eastern shore omitted an unpleasant smell, similar to natural gas. As the wind blew at my back, the smell carried along.

Read More
LouisianaWill CollinsBaton Rouge, St. FrancisvilleComment