Bellevue — 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 43 Mississippi River - Sabula, IA - Iowa's only Island City

Sabula, IA - Iowa's only Island City

I woke up on the sandy bank of an Island across the river near Bellevue, IA. I had stumbled upon the site the night before, after going through Lock and Dam 12 at dusk. As I pulled out of the lock, a barge was waiting on downriver side. With my headlamp showing a small red light, I exited the lock and paddled directly next to the waiting barge. On my Marine radio I heard the Lock Master call to the towboat.

"Captain, just wanted to give you a heads up we have a real tiny canoe leaving the lock"

The captain radioed back "yup- I can see his tiny little red light"

Relived that my head lamp actually provided a small safety net, I cruised by the massive barge and began looking for camp. I found the sandy bank by accident when I literally almost ran into it. It was a pleasant surprise being that it was dark and getting late.

Iowa, Good PeopleWill CollinsMay 26, 2019Bellevue, SabulaComment