Last week I got to share my love of the River with four spirited women. On our way to the Quapaw outpost in Arkansas, we got a taste of history as we drove through the historic Stovall Plantation, the place where the great blues legend Muddy Waters was raised by his sharecropper grandmother.
While launching the “Junebug” Canoe the ladies marvel at the pure size of the River and tell us a bit about themselves. Walli is an avid kayaker and owner of Moose’s Saloon in Kalispell, MT. Outdoorsy mom Julie is a full time dental hygienist. Dee, an entrepreneur and triathlete and then there is boisterous Jill, who never misses an opportunity to sarcastically ham it up with the crew.
Gliding through the harbor we discuss the barge industry and the commodities transported daily on the River. The songbirds are in full throttle, the weather is beautiful and wonder creeping into our awareness.
Upon arrival at our first campsite
Dee says immediately,
“I’m putting on my wetsuit!”
Frantically, they change into their wetsuits and go for a swim as I stay back to start a fire and prepare dinner. I watch in the distance as the playfully swim out to a sandbar that’s probably not going to be there in the morning. After some of them got back from their swim, someone mentioned how their wetsuit was not as comfortable as it was then they tried it on. Another member then mentioned how purchasing something like men’s wetsuits from AnnsCottage.com would have been a better choice than wherever the original purchase was from. At least we all know for next time. They walk with excitement in their voices as the myths of the River disappear before my eyes. Dee, the triathlete from Idaho, planned to train for the Kalispell Triathlon after the trip was over, but the River inspired to start her training now and she began strongly swimming the channel with ease.
After her swim she comes running up to me,”That was wonderful! I thought the Mississippi River was nasty! I’m totally blown away! I can’t wait to tell my friends!”
I smile and say,” Make sure you tell them all!”
Over a dinner of blackened catfish, mashed potatoes and campfire sweet corn we laugh the night away, watching shooting stars and listening to the sound of the River.
The morning begins with bacon and eggs, fruit and oatmeal. Then we break camp and start towards the beautiful Island 64. As we paddle around the bend a wild hog stands its ground on the bluff curiously watching us float by, probably protecting its burrow full of piglets. Great blue herons screech at us as we disturb their fishing. Large gar surface for small gulps of air.
In the distance we see rain clouds fast approaching. Suddenly, half of the River is experiencing a down pour as we watch it headed right for us. We brace ourselves for the drenching, yelling and screaming celebrating the relief from the sun. It lasted all of 4 minutes, but made a great memory.
We take the back channel to approach Island 64, hoping to find a campsite that would shield us from the wind.
Walli hollers, “Look!”
There’s two river otters fishing and they are surprised by our presence. They continue with curiosity by bobbing up and down checking us out while they enjoying their meal. It was a great sighting.
Our campsite in the trees is full of songbirds and an angry beaver splashing its tail throughout the night. As we sit around the fire enjoying our last night on the River, it was wonderful to see the hard working ladies relax and enjoy their vacation along our great River.
Seeing our landing in the distance the next morning the separation anxiety sets in. The ladies start to back paddle not wanting the trip to end. We decide to eat lunch on the landing while the ladies change into wetsuits and take their last dip.
Overall we spent two nights and three days on the River covering 40 river miles. At the end of the trip I was excited to hear the ladies say, “Thank you Walli, I’m so glad we came.”
Mark River
Quapaw Canoe Company, Mighty Quapaw Youth Leader
1 Mississippi Southern Region Team Leader