Page 160 - "Mississippi in the 1st Person" - Michael James Stone (Demo/Free)

Just before he left on his quad and mower I asked him if he could haul away a bag of trash for
me. He agreed no doubt surprised I asked, but in true Minnesota Nice demeanor, gave no indi-

cation one way or another.

So I spent that afternoon loading the kayaks and feeling like I had “crossed over” a threshold
in my Great America Adventure of the Mississippi River. Suddenly it wasn’t only this creek

pretending to be a river, or me selfishly wanting the longest campout in history. No, now it was
about people, real people, genuine people. People on the River.

As fast as I had been eating and drinking my stockpile of Ensure Plus Nutritional Drinks, I was

pretty sure with off loading that trash bag full I had lightened my load already from easily a
1000lbs to maybe 800 or less as I was also exhausting my water supply already. Two water
cooler 5 gallon jugs I also used as ballast on the Sea Eagle.

Paddling out and onward it wasn’t long till I was pleasantly surprised at arriving at Coffee Pot-
Landing a major milestone in my planning and a place I had promised to stay a day and down
size.

It seemed soon, but I had some ideas of what to get rid of and judging by the weather I started
in, it was beginning to look like rain was on it’s way and I was thrilled to see a cabin at the
landing.

In fact there were two. Also I don’t know if it was just at Coffee Pot but I could see bushes fill-

ing in with buds and that was sure sign Spring was on its’ way no matter how cold the nights
still felt, and damp. I also knew soon my view would be obscured like everyone else who came
later.