Day 56 on the Mississippi River

October 16, 2021

Saturday

Mud Lake Campground

Dubuque, Iowa

RM 589.5

752 miles completed

I paddled 25 miles today. I stayed in the main channel to take advantage of the current. The wind was at my back mostly. In the afternoon the wind was really strong. I had to use my kayak skirt. I took advantage of the wind, but it was so rough it was tiring. Also, all my clothes got wet in spite of the skirt.

About ten miles from Dubuque the river turned south and I finally got relief from the west wind and big waves. About two or three miles farther I found Mud Lake campground. I was glad. I was tired and hungry and it was late in the day.

Mud lake has showers. The first thing I did was take a shower and put on dry clothes.

I bought firewood and a man offered to haul it to my campsite on the back of his pickup. When he helped me unload it he invited me to chicken noodle soup dinner with his family. I accepted. They were a wonderful family. We had a nice visit and a good dinner. We had fresh strawberries and blackberries and cherry tomatoes too.

I am really glad to have met them:

Sarah

Darla

Bruce

Tony

Nick

Krystal

Landon

Hunter

Skyler

Dixie

Chloe

Gus

Darla is the mother of the family. Sarah made the soup.

Darla promised to follow my Facebook posts.