The truth about Rafting “a la Huck Finn”

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I recently visited a blog that included a comment we hear quite often at www.greatriver.com… 

“I want a lazy trip down the river like Tom Sawyer took. I checked out the Iowa Tourism flier, but it didn’t give me any ideas. Maybe I should just find me some sticks and branches and strap them together to build my own raft.”

We are often consulted about preparations for trips by reporters and adventurers and will periodically post recommended resources on our bulletin boards and this Mississippi River Blog.

 Photo by Rich Middleton, a replica of the Nina docked near La Crosse, WI
Some very basic advisories… the Upper Mississippi, from Prescott, Wisconsin to St. Louis, Missouri, is great for your first excursion. The river is divided into “pools” that slow the current, the main channel is easy to follow, friendly small towns with every amenitiy are located about every 8 miles on the river’s edge. Camping is allowed on the abundant river islands. Wildlife and waterfowl are abundant, the bluffs are beautifully impressive, and the river is wide and scenic. We see all kinds of goofy craft come down the river, from bathtubs to voyager canoes, kayaks, rafts, Viking boats, and even the Nina! But it is still a big river, with swells, dangerously fickle weather, and the ever-present barges. Sticks wouldn’t cut it, even up here.

The lower river is quite a different matter. South of St. Louis, there are no “pools” to break up the current. I’m normally “steamboatin'” when I’m down there. This portion of the river roars, boils, mutters, and growls. It swallows small boats in whirlpools.

The Coast Guard will require that you have a good working motor on a good working boat. You must have a marine radio, and you must have a harbor and amenities guide. Small towns are often up to 20 miles from the river. Not every marina carries fuel for pleasure boats. Official river charts are a good idea. Sandbars are not always as solid as they appear. Overnighting on the river will often be lonesome.

So please, don’t even think of “sticks” or a lazy float. Any portion of the river requires a good vessel, a good motor, and first rate planning. Don’t look for boating resources in a tourism bulletin. We can help you with that here on www.greatriver.com

Thanks for listening!

 

Young Boy with Chickadee in Hand

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 Photo by Rich Middleton, boy with Bird, Goose Island near La Crosse, WI
This  photo is a favorite of mine. We were cruising through Goose Island County Park when we stopped at a feeder to capture photos of birds and deer feeding on corn and bird seed left by Sunday sightseers. We watched with interest as a Grandpa began to encourage his two grandsons to feed the wild chickadees from seeds in their hand.

In 30 years of birding, it had never occured to me to try that!

“Could I try that, too?” I asked him? So he gave me some seeds and I watched as the chickadees and nuthatches hesitantly and delicately landed on my fingers to eat the seeds! What a wonderful sensation to feel those feather light little feet on my fingers!!

Then another car stopped and five kids jumped out.

“Could we feed the birds, too?” And they, too, lined up along the road, arms outstretched. The nuthatches and chickadees ate from their hands also!

What a wonderful, unexpected, experience that generous man provided to all nine of us passers-by! It’s something I hope to experience with my grand-kids as well.

As you check visit www.greatriver.com, please do use our search engines to search the Internet. Each of your searches helps keep www.greatriver.com “reader supported.” Thank you!


Snow in the Valley

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With the unusually mild winters we’ve had the past 10 years, February 14th was about the time that I’d start laying bets about when the Sandhill Cranes would return to Coon Creek. Today we expect another 4-8 inches of snow… for a total of about 56″ this year this year… more than a foot above the annual average! So instead of thinking Sandhills, I’m thinking skiing. Check the What’s New page on www.greatriver.com for a list of downhill and X-country ski locations along the Mississippi. No doubt I’ll miss YOUR favorite spot so please do comment and we’ll add your favorites to the list.

The Wisconsin Presidential Primary is Feb 19 and La Crosse is a favorite destination for Presidential campaign visits.

TODAY we will see MIKE HUCKABEE at the La Crosse Center south hall ballroom from 2 pm to 3 pm and BILL CLINTON (for Hillary) at the Eagle Center, UW-La Crosse, this evening. Snow will be heavy at times today so that could impact attendance at today’s events. Get there if you can!

MIKE MCCAIN will have a town hall meeting at 2:45 p.m. on Friday at the Radisson Hotel Ballroom.