We made it! Day 8 found us paddling from just below the Cold Spring Dam to the Mississippi river. The first several miles were uneventful but the scenery was spectacular. We were able to paddle an empty canoe as we dropped all of our gear at my house. For the first time during the trip I set up a tripod and put our waterproof video recorder on it. Just as we passed the Rockville canoe landing we went under two trees and one of the branches caught the camera and it fell into the river. I tried to grab it but it we were pushed down stream and the camera sank. If you’re out paddling and you come across it, please get it back to us.
After yelling and screaming for a few minutes we continued towards the end of the river. We passed several bald eagles, turkeys and great blue herons. As we paddled by my house we stopped to drop off my backpack so that if we tipped we wouldn’t lose it. I called my wife who was hanging out with my brother Mike and his family who are up visiting from Alabama to let them know we would be done in around an hour or so. As we paddled the last 4 miles we came to the HWY 15 bridge, I noticed that there were people standing on the bridge. I guessed that they were my family and sure enough when we got closer my whole family including my unlce and aunt from Elk River where there to cheer us on. We pulled over to snap some pictures and hang out. Someone suggested that my brother Mike and my Cousin Joel join us for the last mile of rapids. I wasn’t super excited about this as I hate rapids anyway and the addition of the weight of two more people would affect how the canoe would handle. Mike and Joel got in anyway and we were off.
With four of us in the canoe we were sitting pretty low in the water, but we managed to navigate all the rapids skillfully and our passengers didn’t get too wet. We arrived at the confluence of the Mississippi and Sauk River and ended our 8 day journey.
Over the next few days we will continue to add pictures and video so check back often. Thanks for following along!
After yelling and screaming for a few minutes we continued towards the end of the river. We passed several bald eagles, turkeys and great blue herons. As we paddled by my house we stopped to drop off my backpack so that if we tipped we wouldn’t lose it. I called my wife who was hanging out with my brother Mike and his family who are up visiting from Alabama to let them know we would be done in around an hour or so. As we paddled the last 4 miles we came to the HWY 15 bridge, I noticed that there were people standing on the bridge. I guessed that they were my family and sure enough when we got closer my whole family including my unlce and aunt from Elk River where there to cheer us on. We pulled over to snap some pictures and hang out. Someone suggested that my brother Mike and my Cousin Joel join us for the last mile of rapids. I wasn’t super excited about this as I hate rapids anyway and the addition of the weight of two more people would affect how the canoe would handle. Mike and Joel got in anyway and we were off.
With four of us in the canoe we were sitting pretty low in the water, but we managed to navigate all the rapids skillfully and our passengers didn’t get too wet. We arrived at the confluence of the Mississippi and Sauk River and ended our 8 day journey.
Over the next few days we will continue to add pictures and video so check back often. Thanks for following along!