Day 20: The Rush, the fingerprints, and the workout
Little Fslls to 8-10 rivers miles north of St Cloud, MN Today was a fun, exciting, long, and kick ass day. This post will be broken into segments per category. The morning started off well rested on a little sleep. I was excited to get this day going. I picked up my gear and loaded
Day 19: The strength of the river.
Day 19: The strength of the river. Baxter to Little Falls, MN After a fun night last night drinking and talking with Kevin, this day needed to get moving. He made me some breakfast and toast before I set out on the river. I thanked him and told him I would send him a post
Day 18: The Push, the dam, and the people
The Push Forward En route to Brainerd and beyond (stopped in Baxter because life just works out that way) Baxter is the town right after Brainerd. My oh my!! What a day it has been. I woke well rested feom a comfortable bed. I love the Thermarest I am sleeping on, but it does not
Day 17: The Struggle
Aitkin to 31 river miles downstream Today was a struggle. It was a struggle on so many levels. The physical beating on my arms for two weeks, the heat of the sun with needed head protection that does not breath, and the mental tiredness of doing 100’s of switchback turns on the river. My first
Day 16: Kind people, creative fixes, and smart choices
Palisade to Aitkin Today started off at 5:30am. I ste my alarm because I wanted to catch the sunrise. I got up, grabbed my camera, and headed out. I caught some good ones off a bridge before walking to downtown for breakfast. I was told to go the the Palisade Cafe while I was in
Day 15: A day of dancing
Bob’s to Palisade, MN Today did not end up being as long as expected. I woke up at 6am ready to make a go at some major milage today, but it was raining hard and my right shoulder was giving me problems. The last two days of headwinds and me trying to push it was
Day 14: Dutch barns and a near miss
Jacobson to 25 miles later. After a night of flood concerns, I got up without it raining. I broke down camp and headed up the hill to find more water. I was looking around this closed co-op trying to find a hose. A neighbor asked me if he could help. He invited me into the
Day 13: Green day, eagles stare, and dark
Grand Rapids to Jacobson I left Grand Rapids, MN today and headed south. The only color I was seeing this morning was green. The grass and the trees are briliant shades of green. It was hard to think about much else and easy to be at peace. I enjoyed the meandering that the river would
Day 12: A challenging and heart warming day with Mother Nature
The day started off with a bang. One thunder clap after another. I opted to stay in my sleeping bag just a little bit longer today. The radar showed the storm moving throught and it was to lighten up around noon. I got up, showered, and made breakfast. The goal was to get beyond Grand
Day 11: Day off to organize and avoid the storms
I woke up well rested at 7 am. I am beginning to get away from my night sleeping pattern and get more into my traveling sleeping pattern. That is get up early, rock out the full day, dinner and asleep shortly after sunset. Sandy made me pancakes with home made maple syrup. It was so