Day 13 Mississippi River

(Political post warning)

I woke up to the sound of Wade and Clyde moving around and beginning to boil water. Turns out they were able to stay dry sleeping under the tarp through the downpour, but didn't get a great nights sleep due to a chilly evening and the infamous Minnesota mosquitos.

After telling a few more hunting stories and discussing the Timber-wolf population in the area (Wade once had one stalk his tree stand while in it), the father and son duo hit the water around 7:45AM, eager to get active and regenerate some warmth all while looking to avoid the rain storm that was supposed to hit around noon.

I took my time, making a cup of coffee and oatmeal, writing yesterday's FB post and waiting to hear from my buddies at Watertown Radio in Watertown, SD. My colleague and mentor of sorts, Todd, had asked if I would hop on the popular morning talk show in town, What's Up. Around 8:45 I got a call from a 605 number, with my buddy Josh Weyh on the other end. A great interview from those two ensued. It went about 20 minutes, with me telling stories of the voyage thus far, and the two of them asking curious questions. My colleague and friend Mark Panik even got in on the action! (Side note- anyone know how to post an audio file to FB? Would love to upload the interview if possible.)

After the call wrapped up I loaded the boat and hit the water. I had two campsites in mind. One, Willow Wood Camp, a 22 mile day, and the other, Ms. Keto camp, 28 miles away.

As I paddled in the morning I pondered the debate surrounding industry and conservation. It seems to me as though many of my friends on the left vilify industry such as oil, mining and power. It also seems like my friends on the right dismiss conservation as hippie dippy tree hugging. To me, there is a happy medium. We are able to enjoy the life we have today because of industry and natural resources we extract. My boat, tent, cooking equipment and 90% of what I have with me on this trip can be attributed to petroleum. And it's darn tough stuff that can stand up to the beating of a 90 day Mississippi adventure. I believe, support and enjoy wilderness conservation. The United States has some of the most beautiful and natural wonders of the world that deserve to be protected and free of human development. It's a true blessing to be able to live in a country where you can walk into a wilderness area and get lost for days, months, even years if you so choose. That independence and freedom of the land is woven into the fabric of our nation.

Labor day rant turned short- industry and conservation are not mutually exclusive.

The rest of the day was spent with thick rain and wind storms ripping across the water. There's something I love about being exposed in the gnarliest elements, when the rest of the word is reclined in their living room, not wanting to even walk to the car. As long as you have the proper gear to stay warm and dry you can be outside in just about anything. I think that's why a big part of me loves ice fishing. It's -30, the wind is whipping 30MPH blowing snow and ice across the frozen lake, yet I'm layered up and warm as could be while pulling walleye and perch out of a 8inch hole in the ice.

The rain and wind came and went the rest of the day. I decided to take the first camp, Willow Wood, and call it a day.

Solid day. I should reach Palisade, MN by Wednesday.