Posts tagged Winnona
Day 34 Mississippi River
Day 34 Mississippi River

After another solid nights sleep at Marty's I woke up early to see Marty and Finn off to work and school. The amazing weekend had come to an end. As Marty gathered his things Finn and I quietly watched TV.

At 7:00am I said goodbye to Finn, and he walked out the front door to catch his bus at 7:15. Shorty after I gave my many thanks to Marty for hosting me, showing me Winnona, feeding me, and so much more. He mentioned that he got a kick out of hosting me, and I certainly got a kick out of hanging around for the weekend!

With Marty off to work I began organizing my gear. I intended to leave a few items with him that I seldom used and had been weighing me down thus far on the journey. In the end, I left an old guitar, picks and strings, a book "Entrepreneur Life", and some fire tending gloves I had yet to use. I also planned to leave my old canoe with Marty and Finn. Figuring that it made sense to get the new Wennonah, especially considering the way it came about, I told Marty that he could have the Old Town on a long term loan. My only stipulation was that he and Finn would have to go out on at least one overnight trip in it within a year from today.

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Good People, MinnesotaWill CollinsWinnonaComment
Day 32 Mississippi River
Day 32 Mississippi River

After getting a great nights sleep in a warm bed with real pillows I woke up around 7am and walked upstairs to a full pot of coffee. After settling into the morning the first stop was a local favorite, Bloedow's doughnut shop. Finn, Marty's son, loved the place, and as any 8 year old can attest, didn't get to go there enough. Waiting in a line that stretched out the door we stood in front of a few hunters in full camo and face paint, fresh off the water from opening day of duck season.

With 6 donuts for 3 guys, Marty, Finn and I headed for Garvin Heights Lookout, a popular hiking trail and overlook of the city. The view from atop the bluff put the main channel, the back waters, and the town of Winnona all in clear view. Standing at the edge, we took in the landscape, scarfing down donuts and pointing out buildings and landmarks from above.

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Minnesota, Good PeopleWill CollinsWinnonaComment
Day 31 Mississippi River - Boats, bluegrass, friends and a great time.
Day 31 Mississippi River - Boats, bluegrass, friends and a great time.

Boats, bluegrass, friends and a great time.

After stopping 20 miles short of Winona, MN the night before I woke up with the goal of taking a load off in the Minnesota river town for the weekend. Jeff from Toronto, a fellow through paddler whom I had run into early in the trip near Bemidji, MN had tipped me off that the annual bluegrass festival "Boats & Bluegrass" was happening this weekend. Loving both boats and bluegrass, it was an obvious stopping point.

After a tough full days paddle I neared Winona around sunset. Paddling the back channels of the river for some time I spotted a group of canoe and kayakers out for what looked like a leisurely stroll. Worn out and a bit unsure of my exact location I paddled near the group and asked how far to Winnona. A pair in a green Wenonah canoe pointed me to the group leader and local Ranger. He informed me that Winnona was in fact just around the corner, and to make it to the festival I just needed to follow the stock dam to shore on river right. Perfect. As I left he called the group to an island bank and began a speech on the hundreds of Pelicans nearby (he was leading a local "bird paddle" where folks take out boats, paddle around the back channels of the Miss look for the abundant bird populations).

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Minnesota, Good PeopleWill CollinsWinnona Comment