Day 103 Mississippi River - The Gulf of Mexico
I woke up with my head spinning after a night of shotguns and pulls of "Uncle Jim". The crew of hunters that I had been celebrating with last night had split. About half were able to get up before the sun and get to the blinds. The other half stuck around camp licking their wounds from the night before.
Once my tent and gear was packed up the fellas still left around camp helped me to load the boat for what would be the last time. After saying goodbyes and snapping a few pictures with the two young kids running around I pushed off from camp and began working the final 10 miles toward the Gulf of Mexico. It was an odd feeling paddling down; excitement mixed with anxiety and also pure happiness.
After a bit of paddling and an occasional fishing or duck boat cruising by I spotted the light tower of Port Eads off in the distance. Surrounded by bayous I took in the serenity of the final stretches of the Mississippi River in a spot that felt uniquely Louisianan.
As I pulled up to Port Eads a fellow in a light blue t-shirt walked out onto the deck of the building.
"Where ya come from?" He yelled out over the railing.
After giving him the quick rundown I asked how much farther it was to the Gulf.
"See dem markers out there? That's the jetty, and the Jetty is in the Gulf of Mexico. You're almost there!"
Stoked on the realization that my goal was in sight I gave out a quick whoop as I glanced toward the markers. I then asked the fellow if he was leaving Port Eads anytime soon. He said at 2:00pm he would be heading back to Venice, and that I could catch a ride back to town with him.
I was loaded to the core with excitement. I was just a few minutes away from the Gulf and already had secured a ride back to Venice.
With that I took off toward the salt water. About a mile later I reached the markers. As I paddled around the corner the horizon opened, exposing nothing but blue water as far as the eye could see.
After 103 days, I made it. The Gulf of Mexico.
I paddled out into the open water about a half mile and let the ocean waves roll under me. Brown pelicans swirled overhead only to coast closer to the water before dive bombing head first into the oceans surface in search of a meal.
It was a beautiful sight. The open ocean in front of me, the South Pass of the Mississippi River behind me.
The emotions I felt ran the gamut. At first, a long yelling and swearing bout rang out into the thick air as I pounded my chest like a football player coming out of the tunnel. I then relaxed and let the feeling of finality set in. What a wild trip it has been. So many amazing folks met along the way and interesting towns checked off the list.
I spent about an hour tooling around in the Gulf before turning back for the fresh water of South Pass. Just a few strokes into the river I noticed a motor boat coming in from the ocean. I waved down the boat, and as they approached I asked if the crew was heading back to Venice. Giving them a quick 20 second rundown of the trip and my situation I asked if I could grab a ride back to town with them.
"Well we don't normally pick up hitch hikers, but you're bad ass. Let's go!"
And with that we loaded up my gear into their boat and strapped the canoe inside the vessel. Between the canoe and gear, there was little room left.
A 15 minute ride back to Venice capped off an amazing journey. What a trip.
At the Venice Marina I met my mom, who had a rental car from New Orleans that we would drive back to IL and SD with.
It's over. Done. River life is wrapped up. I have mixed emotions about the journey coming to and end. On one hand, I'm ready to be a normal human again, with a roof over my head and the luxuries of a 21st century American. On the other hand, I already miss the serenity of driftwood fires on the banks of the river and no one else within miles.
Regardless of where life takes me I am certain of one thing; the river will call again. And when she does, I will answer.
BuffaloRoamer
Source to Sea
Mississippi River
Fall 2017