Ponite à la Hache — 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 101 Mississippi River

I was able to get on the water early this morning. The goal was to make a big push toward salt water in hopes of setting myself up to reach the Gulf tomorrow night.

It was a calm and sunny day in southern Louisiana, the first day of December. Traffic has significantly slowed at this point of the river. Large freighters and cargo ships still cruise by fairly regularly, but for the first time since Baton Rouge I was able to experience calmness. No stress caused by boat traffic in the "bee colonies" of the busy ports. Just me paddling a massive river, trees on either side, and a few boats cruising by now and again.

At 10:30 I made a pit stop to refill water and food. DJ's one stop, a small convince store in Ponite à la Hache, LA. This should be the last supply run before reaching the Gulf.

Baton Rouge, LouisianaWill CollinsJune 5, 2019Baton Rouge, Ponite à la HacheComment