Welcome — Mississippi River

103 Days. 2,300+ solo miles. A pen, pad, camera and the adventure of a lifetime. Crossing America by Canoe. A Mississippi River story.

In late August of 2017 I set out to complete a dream-to canoe over 2,300 miles through the heart of America on the nations largest artery, the Mississippi River. With no partner, few expectations and a yearning for adventure I packed my boat and headed north to the headwaters of the Mississippi in norther Minnesota. For the next 103 days I traversed the country by canoe, from the Northwoods of Minnesota to the Louisiana Gulf Coast. Along the way I was taken in by the kindness of strangers and stricken by the beauty of the river and the people who call the Mississippi home. These are the stories of that journey. The people and places, triumphs and tribulations. The adventure of a lifetime.

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.

barges, LouisianaWill CollinsJune 5, 2019barges, WelcomeComment