With a river full of possibilities, how will you enjoy the Mississippi?

Last summer, I waded into the waters at the confluence – the area known as B’dote to the Dakota – where two great rivers, the Mississippi and Minnesota, meet to become one. As my legs greeted the water, I felt relaxed. Ahhh…nothing like a swim to cool off on a warm August afternoon. The sun baked the sandy beach. On the far bank, I witness a bald eagle perched on a cottonwood while locals cast fishing lines nearby. I took a breath and savored the moment. This is one of the ways I enjoy the Mississippi.

Now of course, there is no one right way to enjoy the Mississippi.

Our nation’s most iconic waterway overflows with beauty, story, and ways to enjoy it. From Headwaters to Gulf our river has many faces, expressions, and is strikingly different depending on where you are standing – and what ‘shoes’ you are standing in. Furthermore, as River Citizens, we know that even in the same location, ‘you never step into the same river twice’.

 

 

We’re clear for takeoff…#EnjoyTheMississippi campaign launches!

In January 2021, 1 Mississippi launched a yearlong campaign to spotlight the diverse ways people enjoy the Mississippi River. The campaign will raise the River’s public profile by sharing stories of the various ways people across the watershed enjoy the Mississippi.

This is important because the more stories we hear from our neighbors from all around the Mississippi River watershed (a land area covering ~41% of the continental U.S.), the greater our awareness becomes of the diverse ways people enjoy the Mississippi and care for one another and the land, water, and wildlife.

What unites us becomes illuminated. We learn tolerance and appreciation of our differences and how we can work together toward common goals like creating a healthier Mississippi River system for future generations.

The Mighty Mississippi is the largest river system in the U.S. Photo by USGS on Unsplash.

 

 

How you can get involved:

Any new ways you will #EnjoyTheMississippi this year? How do you traditionally enjoy the River? Add your responses and stories to the #EnjoyTheMississippi campaign collection by emailing Michael your reply – michael@1mississippi.org. We (and your neighbors) want to hear from you!

Also, be sure to share on social media – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter – how you will enjoy the Mississippi and include the hashtag #EnjoyTheMississippi and tag @1Mississippi so we can gather the stories and help share!

 

Get inspired from fellow River Citizens:

 

“I’m going to #EnjoyTheMississippi this year by investigating the beauty and peril of Lake Pepin, a special stretch of river that supports incredible wildlife and people. The lake holds so much history—the accumulating sediment layers preserve the ongoing story of upstream land use changes like the pages of a book. And, the people are so connected with the water that they too hold tremendous knowledge of how this dynamic area has changed over time. Whether a kayak trip or local conversation, I’m always inspired and humbled to be part of the legacy of protecting Lake Pepin!”

-Kenz Becco, MN (Read more about Becco’s work with the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance)

 

“I’m excited to #EnjoyTheMississippi and all of the amazing birds that count on the River as their flyway. Last winter, I saw numerous bald eagles during the winter and in the spring a pair of Mississippi Kites took up residence in my neighborhood. I know that their presence is made possible by our mighty River.”

-Maisah Khan, St. Louis, MO

 

 

 

 

“I will be enjoying the Mississippi near Cohasset, Minnesota fishing with friends near where I grew up. I will be watching for Bald Eagles, Kingfishers and waterbugs.”

-Scott Sparlin, MN (learn more about Scott and his work at Minnesota River Congress)

 

 

 

“My paternal side of the family has history. In Grafton, Ill that dates back to the 1885’s. I love going there, getting fried fish @ Beasleys enjoying it on the pier. Also enjoy Pierre Marquette hiking where my parents spent there honeymoon in ’47.”

-Carolyn Foster, Missouri

 

 

 

 

“Every year, I paddle a couple thousand miles on the Mississippi River, mostly between St Louis and Cape Girardeau, MO. Most of those trips are solo, but I take a few Scout troops on that trip with me. I didn’t take any Scout troops on that adventure last year, but I’ve had so many requests to start leading those trips again I plan to take a couple troops in June.  I’m confident that I can do the trip in a way that allows for plenty of social distancing.

In addition to my regular Mississippi River paddle trips, I’m on a team that will attempt to break the record for the fastest team to canoe down the whole Mississippi River. The current record of 18 days, 4 hours, and 51 minutes was set in 2003, and in May we’re going to try to beat that.  You can learn more and follow our progress here – website and Facebook.

I’m sure that 2021 will be better than 2020, but we can’t push our luck. I’m hoping that in 2022 we’ll be almost back to almost normal. I want to be able to sit around a campfire with friends on an island on the Mississippi, telling jokes, solving the world’s problems, and just appreciating the peace that surrounds us.”

-Perry Whitaker, St. Louis, MO

 

 

 

“I live in Lake City on Lake Pepin. So far, we have watched eagles on the edge of the ice. Ice fishermen and ice skating on the lake. We are fortunate to have a fantastic view of every sunrise over the water. In the spring we will get back to sailing on the best part of the river.”

-Anne Towey, Lake City, MN

 

 

 

 

 

“I listen to birds and skittering through the dry leaves as I pass almost touching the shore. The skeletons of grasses show through the ice layer that grew as splashes wet the foliage with an imperceptible layer that is now clear and thick.  The wind smells cold as it pushes air off the water.”

-Joan Twillman, St. Charles, MO (Learn more about Joan’s work with the Mississippi River Water Trails Association)

 

We hope you have found inspiration in these photos and stories from River Citizens on how they will #EnjoyTheMississippi this year. In a river full of possibilities, how will YOU enjoy the Mississippi? Email me your response – michael@1mississippi.org – and share on social media using the #EnjoyTheMississippi hashtag and tag us @1Mississippi on Facebook and @1.Mississippi on Instagram or @1_Mississippi on Twitter.

 

For the River,

Michael Anderson,

Outreach and Engagement Manager, Mississippi River Network

 

 

 

 

 

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