Helena — 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 80 Mississippi River

I rose to a brisk but sunny morning. Condensation caked the inside of my tents rainfly following a night that hovered in the mid 30s. Bundled in several layers and topped with cathart overalls I packed up the miscellaneous gear thrown about the inside of the tent and set the rainfly out to dry as I made breakfast.

A relatively calm day on the water followed. Near Helena, AR I received a text from my boss in South Dakota checking in and curious as to my expected end date. After crunching the milage I called her back, leaving a message. By my math I should be wrapped up sometime near the end of the month.

For the first time on the journey I see the end of the line and start thinking about the short amount of time I have left on the river. From there my mind begins to sort out the tasks I need to get done once I get home. Get a basketball schedule together, think of a new segment for my radio show, line up this, work on that.

ArkansasWill CollinsMay 31, 2019HelenaComment