Page 194 - "Mississippi in the 1st Person" - Michael James Stone (Demo/Free)

Just as I pulled away from the shore and wooden dock structure, the sun peeped out with

snow still falling and I couldn’t help but feeling like if there were such a thing as omens thus
would be it.

Sitting down to paddle I glanced at the “Eloquence” the white with blue stripe Sea Ea-
gle 370. As usual the kayak glided and even moved too fast always coming up on me faster

than I was going.

The stretch tow rope probably had something to do with that but watching this boat glide I
was just filled with a sense of gratitude that finally we had some water to float in and as long

as we had water, towing was fine.

In my oversized SE Fishing Chair the view in the “kayackanoe” was excellent. I had
seen the curves coming from the camp on the Hill and it looked good for paddling. With

snow stopping I even hoped the sun might appear and the fickle solar charger might this time
charge my phone up. After the first curve with lots of water ahead I pulled a can of Ensure
with 350 cals …..downed it …….and sipped an instant oatmeal watery concoction I never

let set up but drank like a drink

Saying a quick prayer, checking the paddle heads were right side up in the water, I set
in a rhythm and just as I did, the rain started. “Man” I thought, I just barely got coats and wet

gear dry after staying an extra day at Bear Den. Now Rain again? Upside I thought, well the
river might rise and where it was sandy maybe give me and inch or two I hoped.

Pulling on my heavier Rain coat I kept paddling. A few minutes later the Sun

came out. A little while after that I shrugged out of the rain coat. After that the clouds
came back and a slight wind came up so I put on my windbreaker. All these were near

to me and easy to put on and off. This was a typical Minnesota Head Game the weather
seemed to keep playing with me. Hot and Cold, Wind and Rain, Snow and Sunshine.