A solid nights sleep in the hammock made for an early morning. Without the cover of a rain fly (which I use on my tent and acts like a roof, blocking out sun and the outside world) I typically wake up with the sunrise when hammocking and today was no exception. Toss in the planes taking off from the St. Paul Airport runway directly across the river and I was up and at it fairly early. I made a cup of coffee and packed up my sleeping arraignment as well as some miscellaneous gear. For the past 6 days Max and I have traveled together. It's an interesting dynamic. We both enjoy each others company and had a great time hanging out and meeting folks along the river. I think we both learned a good deal from one another, and we certainly had good times. Definitely had good times. We are also pretty similar in a lot of ways, including the enjoyment of independence and traveling solo. With that in mind, Max pushed off around 8:30. I sure hope to run into him again down river or on another adventure, or even pay a visit to his abode in Chicago.

As Max paddled away down river I hopped on the phone and had another great interview with my friends and colleagues at 950 KWAT radio in Watertown, SD. I told stories, many surrounding the folks I had met along the way thus far.

I woke up this morning to a wet tent floor. The water from the sand bar had seeped up and my sleeping pad paid the price. I heard Max rustling around before he spoke out.

"What's up! You get wet?"

"Just the sleeping pad and tent floor. I'm dry. You?"

"Same"

After hearing Max exit his tent..."Uhh we got bigger problems. My boat is gone"

(9-9-17)

I woke up this morning knowing it would be a slower AM, as I had to catch up on some of my journal entries that I had pushed off for the past few days. While I know that they need to be done, like anything, the process takes time. And when you are looking at a map of 2,300 miles and you've only paddled 300 or so in 18 days, it can be tough not to ditch everything and try to make as many miles as possible. I often have to convince myself to slowdown and enjoy the process. Not only does it seem that folks are enjoying reading these updates, but I know that I too will enjoy reading them several years down the line when reminiscing about that "crazy adventure" I took when I was 25. Even with all that said it can still be tough to convince myself to sit still and take the time to bust out a post after 11 hours padding, breaking down and setting up camp in a new location, cooking and cleaning and all the other daily routines that keep life on the river afloat. Still, I know I need to do them as the benefit will pay off down the line...so I do.

After knocking two updates out and grubbing some oatmeal and coffee I loaded the boat and began working toward Brained, MN. Today the paddling was easy, not because of the wind or the weather or a strong current, but because of football. Specifically, Colorado football.

I rose around 7AM with the goal of being on the water around 8:30. With a full days rest, several home cooked meals and a few hot tub sessions under my belt I was ready to get after it.

Once again, Don and Deb had oatmeal with butter and sugar, buttered toast and coffee waiting for me. Awesome. I packed up the boat and was getting ready to take off when Don trotted down to the river bank with a yellow shopping bag in hand - "can't forget your cookie dough!" He had packaged me a bag full of Aunt Edmoes famous cookie dough (the eggless version) on ice and wrapped in several zip locks. Armed with enough sugar to take down a Rhino I hit the water at 8:45 with Don and Deb both video taping via phones my departure.