Day 16: long day of windy paddling. After what had seemed like an impossible task we finally passed Brainerd. For many reasons passing Brainerd was a huge accomplishment in our eyes. It was in many ways proof that were making progress. Evidence that we had what it takes and this monumental undertaking was plausible. We made camp at a spot called Baxter. There was a beautiful sunset that evening. A sign, a blessing from the River. There was a peaceful calm which had settled over all three of us. This was a great spot for Reggie also. Behind the campsite was a great trail which went on and on that allowed us to taking him on several long walks.
Day 17: paddled to Shirley Mae's Outfitters in Little Falls, Mn. Day 17 was another 30 miles day which at that point was starting to become far easier. We were beginning to run low on water so we approached a boat landing which had a park behind it hoping to find water. When we approached there was another boat entering the water. After a brief conversation we found out that one of the guys, John, owned an outfitter in little Falls. He invited us to put our tent up in the backyard of the outfitter. This was great because it would allow us to make 10 more miles on the day. When we arrived John helped us with our boat and offered to help us shuttle our gear past the dam in town! Any chance to get help with a portage is well appreciated! Anyway while walking around town we came across a sports bar. Just one whiff of greasy hamburgers was all it took. We both order a burger basket and they were amazing! We later found out that not only did Johnny C's sports bar know how to cook a good burger but they also used locally sourced beef!
Day 18: Little Falls, Mn to Stearns Campsite. Nice little park next to the campsite. Took Reggie for several long walks and all was good. Blanchard Dam was the one and only dam we portaged that day and was the most challenging obstacle thus far. Holly crap what a beast of a portage (that's the pic with the portage sign in the post before)! It was easily 3/4 of a mile in length with steep hills dodgy stairs, and for us anyway it required two trips! After we beasted all of our stuff across we ran into a couple locals. To keep it simple I'll describe them as "interesting". Anyway we were told that at the bottom of Blanchard Dam was one of only three places in the world were rocks in the shape of a cross are found. As it turns out something about the geological process there caused rocks to naturally form this way! Pretty neat. If you want evidence Google "cross rocks," cause we didn't find any.
Day 19: Stearns to Boy Scout campsite. Lots happened. We marked off off our first big city St. Cloud! The wind was strong out of the south all day. When we left camp winds were light and variable. As we approach St. Cloud the wind had picked up significantly straining every muscle. Aside from that we encountered two dams that day. The first portage of the day was Sartell Dam which was not terribly difficult but certainly farther than the 300 yards which the MNDNR map said it was. The entrance back onto the river was steep and filled with large boulders. Our second dam that day was the St. Cloud dam. The map listed it as 303 yards, yeah I don't think so. The portage sign read 650 yards! Before embarking on yet another long portage we stopped for lunch. The immense amount of energy that a trip such as this requires has turned us into calorie loading, carb crunching machines. We had planned out food pretty well but at this point all we had left for lunch was peanut butter and butter. Sitting along the banks of the Mississippi next to a beautiful rose garden park, all we could think of was, what the maximum butter to peanut butter ratio was! One after another we piled the butter and peanut butter onto torts and shoved them down. Although we have been eating very well, there are times when the flavor of your food doesn't matter at all compared the number of calories it packs! After dragging ourselves and our gear to the other end we paddled a mile or so down stream and heard someone holler at us from a small island. Quickly looking over my shoulder I saw a wild bearded man who could only be Matt Burdine. Matt was the guy who had left before us that we had been hoping to meet up with. We pulled into the eddy along the island and hopped out. The connection was instantly there. Matt was a kindred spirit and the energy of this guy was great. His eyes were wild with passion, and excitement. We shared stories and spoke of Faulkner and other great authors who had been inspired by the river. Although the entire conversation was enthralling one phrase really hit home with us, "by the time we get to New Orleans man we are gonna talk just like the river! We will be like the river man!" He spoke these words with great conviction yet his tone carried them so gently as if they could break if said to loud. What he didn't realize is the he already had the river in him. That phrase has become my mantra for this trip and with any luck we too will become like the river.
Day 20: paddled 30 miles to the Nieblers! We had first learned of them from Lacey our roommate, coworker, and friend back in Medford. They were also how we found out about the Mississippi River Paddlers FB page and River angles. They are amazing people. When we pulled up in front of their house their Daughter Erica (Lacey's friend) and her daughter met us. She helped us with our gear and gave us such a kind welcome. As we were setting up Tom, Erica's dad came out and treated us with a warm smile. He had made us Chilly and was excited to share his home with us. After setting up camp we went inside for a shower, our second in 20 days, and started our laundry. Aside from the homemade chilly (which was awesome) and the home brew the conversations that evening we spectacular. We met the whole family, whom apparently had come over that night because they were excited to meet the latest river rats their River Angel parents had invited over. We met Tom, Kris (whom had been our primary point of contact), Erica and her husband Scott, daughter Claira, Kris and Toms son Shawn and his wife Whitney! Oh yeah and their dogs Gunner and Banjo who were Reggie's best friends within seconds of meeting. We will never forget the Neiblers, their big hearts and hospitality!
Day 21-23
After learning that the Upper St. Anthony lock was closed we contacted Blake our wonderful Brother in law, and asked him to pick us up at Boom island landing in Minneapolis. After a late start and 30+ miles we arrived in the twin cities! That night Blake and Laura served us an amazing chilly for dinner! The past day has been filled with laughs and good conversation with the Linnemeyer family! We have been pushing hard for the last 3 weeks covering approximately 483 miles. Through grass lands, low water, hot days, and windy days. It's been a real challenge but we made it. I don't often use the word blessed but I feel it's appropriate when I say that I am truly blessed to have such an amazing, loving, strong, compassionate, and driven wife. Amanda you truly are my best friend and life ling companion!
Well for the next two days we will rest and reapply. We enjoy the break but are both eager to get back on the river and head for Winona, our next stopping off point.
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