Floating the River, Huck Finn Style

This 4th of July, 2015, was an exciting day of paddling, log walking, acrobatics,  mud, and fellowship with some amazing new friends and family.

The weather was perfect when we awoke from a marvelous sleep that was made possible by Joseph Ringling, Joan Twillman, and many others from the St. Charles, Missouri area. These folks made my day, not only because of the River Angel support, but also because we paddled through the final lock and dam yesterday. I am really looking forward to paddling from here to the Gulf of Mexico, with no more barriers to slow the river flow.

Big Muddy Mike Clark trailered his big voyageur canoe, "June Bug I" to our campsite. Twelve folks (plus river dog Dolly) excitedly gathered this morning for a 14 mile paddle past the Missouri River confluence and over the Chain of Rocks.  It was an event that none of us will ever forget.

As Richard Sojourner and I paddled alongside the very festive voyageur paddlers, a  very large cottonwood came into view.  We paddled up to the floating tree and proceeded to climb out onto its sturdy body.  After my sister Judi boldly stepped out onto the tree, the rest quickly followed.  Big Muddy was eager to test its sturdiness by doing a headstand far out the trunk of the tree.  So many laughs, as my sister was urged to “Play frogger on a floating cottonwood”, and then the paddles were handed out so they could try to paddle and steer the tree on their own.  As we neared the bridge ahead, it suddenly became important to get everyone back to their own boats.

Fast waters passed through the confluence of these mighty rivers. Thick with debris, the Missouri was raging. However, the marriage of these great rivers was relatively peaceful with one exception. When the log we had just been dancing and doing acrobatics on hit the bridge abutment, the noise was like a stick of dynamite went off. Unfortunately, we all were too busy paddling through to get a video.

Log walking on the Mississippi just below the Confluence of the Missouri River on July 4, 2915.

Posted by Dale Sanders on Sunday, July 5, 2015

We paddled through the bushes to reach the flooded shoreline. Receding waters left deep muddy conditions where we needed to take out for the trip to Big Muddy's Canoe House. A great experience ending such a memorable day paddy the Mighty Mississippi.

We spent the evening eating delicious campfire-cooked foods. Blessed that Janet Moreland was able to drive down and join us for neighborhood fireworks as well.

A Fourth of July to Remember Forever.

There were multiple contributors of these photos.  

We will continue to add to this blog as videos and pictures are downloaded.