By Jim Des Jardins
There was just Beverly and me for the Mississippi River trip. We picked up Beverly's new Valley Avocet at Rutabaga on Thursday afternoon, stayed at Nancy Moore's in Madison overnight and arrived at Miller's Hollow (aka Paradise Marina) near Savanna, Ilinois, at noon on Friday. A posted sign at the marina described Very Low Water Conditions.
Beverly Serrell on Maiden Voyage With Her New Avocet
A internet map of the area:
http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/NIC2/Documents/MissRiver/Map049-537-545.pdf
Launching was in the rain as predicted for the entire weekend. The low water warning was accurate and required us to paddle down river to Island 266 to pass out into the main part of the river for a two-hour day paddle and then returning to the marina. This gave Beverly an opportunity to try out her new boat without a load of camping gear on board and to be easy on my sore left shoulder. We camped that night at the Palisades State Park with clear weather.
Sunset over Mississippi River
Saturday, we loaded the boats and paddled out into the main channel and camped opposite the Lainsville Light. We saw Bald Eagles, Vultures, Great Blue Herons, Egrets, American White Pelicans and other shore birds. We also hiked along the shore of an inlet, finding tracks in the mud from Deer, Coyote, Beaver and Raccoon. Beverly went paddling again, we had dinner, spent the twilight back at the inlet in a fruitless wait to see the animals come out of the bush. and then we made a camp fire. No rain all day, and only one barge passed during the night.
Campsite
At night we heard two different species of Owls hooting, at one point, in a conflict. There was also a major symphony of howling Coyotes. The sound was almost continuous for a minute or more at a time and it seemed as if a dozen or more were howling at once.
Animal Tracks
Sunday, another beautiful day, we had a leisurely breakfast, packed our gear, paddled and drifted back to the marina to start our trip home.
Jim Des Jardins