Page 47 - "Mississippi in the 1st Person" - Michael James Stone (Demo/Free)

Part of what was going to become routine to the Mississippi River Run was what I call the
“common man.” Actions are obvious as crossing the lake, “crossing over” the rocks, paddling

in a kayak. What is not so obvious is the connection to people. Everyday people. People who
happened to be on vacation to the Mississippi River or Lake Itasca and out of curiosity came
up to a man with two kayaks.

Now I admit I am not the most unobtrusive person around, I do talk and I do ‘be obvious’ at
times. This for me was one of those times.

In Alaska at the beginning of the Iditarod Dog Sled race from Anchorage to Nome, there is a

“token” start of the race in downtown Anchorage where most years snow has to be brought in
and packed for the dogsled race to use and this “start” is for photos, meeting mushers, greeting
dogs, even getting to ride in the short start of the race, that the next day will start in Willow.

The Ceremonial festivities in Anchorage are enjoyed by all then the race moves to Willow
which has snow and even Wasilla where it used to restart has “warmed up” from climate

change.

So too I had “moved up” my start date because climate change has caused the lakes and rivers
on the Mississippi to thaw even earlier than the previous June starts most kayakers take.

But doing this Ceremonial “Cross the Lake” and “Cross—Over” to the knee hi to ankle hi

creek I had decided on the previous day when I had walked much of the River scouting depth,
obstacles and better starting point.

Officially:

Name: Mississippi River, Gulsvig Landing, #3 State Water Access Site
Type: Carry-In

River Mile: 1336.4 (R)
Water Trail: Mississippi River (map)

Directions: 1/4 mile north of Itasca State Park and .7 mile west of the intersection
of Hwy 200 and CSAH 2, on north side of Hwy 200.

Start: Lake Start:

Dam Water Access

Name: Lake Itasca Name: Lake Itasca State Water Access Site

River Mile: 1339.0 River Mile: 1339.0

Water Trail: Mississippi River (map) Type: Trailer Launch
Notes: Low dam of stone Directions: In Itasca State Park, 2 mi S of

built in the 1930's. city Lake Itasca on Cnty Rd 38 to E shore.