July 10, 2022
Sunday
URM 90
1254 miles completed
I paddled 42 miles.
I woke at 3:00 am and found the river had risen about a foot. My kayak was floating and being held by the line I had tied to a large piece of driftwood. The current was pulling it but the line and drift wood had held.
The water was almost to my tent. I moved my tent about 30 feet to higher ground. I moved the kayak and the driftwood and all my gear. I went back to sleep.
When I woke at 6:00 the kayak was floating again and being held by the driftwood. The spot were my tent had been originally was now about ten feet out in the river.
Sandbar camping is risky.
I started paddling at 8:35. I took a break after two hours. After about 20 miles I stopped at Chester Illinois and secured my kayak next to the city boat ramp. The bank was big rocks littered with driftwood. I made fenders for the boat out of driftwood so the waves from the barges wouldn’t beat my kayak against the rocks.
There is The St. Nicholas Landmark Tavern across the tracks. There is no crossing at the ramp, the nearest crossing is pretty far away. I climbed an embankment to the tracks, and the Tavern was right there. I had a burger, fries, and a beer. They refilled my three water jugs for me. I use a little over a gallon per day.
I want mention the bartender. Her name is Michaela. I hope I spelled her name right.
I camped on a sandy beach again.
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