Cario — 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 70 Mississippi River - Halloween 2017

I woke up this morning to sunny skies after a cold night that saw me wake up in the early morning hours and toss on my Patagonia puffy.

After an internal debate about wether or not to make coffee, I gave in and brewed a warm cup of dark roast in my french press, (I originally planned not to, for the sake of getting on the river quicker) drinking it as I packed up camp.

The weather made for perfect paddling conditions; clear skies, flat glass like water and a slight fall chill (to be fair, true perfect conditions would have been a bit warmer, but begged can't be choosers).

Today was my first full day on the lower Mississippi, as I passed Cairo, IL and the confluence of the Ohio river, which also forms the border of Illinois and Kentucky, yesterday. At this point in the trip, it's truly a massive river. With the addition of the Ohio, the Miss nearly doubled in width

Illinois, KentuckyWill CollinsMay 31, 2019Cario, Ohio RiverComment

Day 68, 69 Mississippi River

After grabbing breakfast with Ken and Michelle I pushed off into the water around noon. A sunny but chilly day ensued.

An hour or so before sunset I settled on a large sandbar and cooked up a good ol' fashion driftwood bonfire. Temps both nights hovered in the mid to upper 30s.

Day 69 marked a mile stone, as I passed Cairo, IL - the southern most city of Illinois, and the Illinois Kentucky border. Cairo also marks the confluence of the Ohio River, which drains much of the Easter United States. By the time it reaches the Mississippi, the Ohio is just as large if not larger than the Miss! With more water flowing in, the width of the Mississippi seemed to double. It's a real big river now!

Illinois, MissouriWill CollinsMay 31, 2019CarioComment