I happened across a perfect island to camp on for the first time on the trip.  It had an easy takeout caused by a massive log jam at the top of the island from flood stages over the years.  It had two well spaced trees 20 feet from the water and a sandy spot to pull my boat out fully loaded so I didn’t have to stand in the water unloading it. 

I’m sure this spot has been used for 100’s of years by some really cool explorers.  I looked for a guess book, but it must have been misplaced lol.

My day started earlier than usual with warmer weather and a nest of eagles screaming for food as soon as the sun came up. 

I was packed up and on the water by 8am and headed towards the city of Minneapolis.  The notes I had was there would be a long portage and to exit at the flag poles.  As the skyline came into view and the large barge moorings started to pop up I realized again that the peaceful water of the north are long gone and that the hustle bustle of the river has started. 

I saw the flags waving, and found the stairs to get out.  Another set of wooden stairs and a pile of rocks in the water to work around, but the weather was nice so I would just take my time and get the work done.  

Once my boat was on the walking path,  everything loaded and walking shoes on I checked Google Maps realizing I got out 3/4 of a mile upriver of the actual take out and flags I was supposed to see.

Oh well, let’s get walking!

The park trail was great the entire way, but the people… not so much.  One guy with a dog warned me if my car was on the street that every car had been broken into.  Other than that, people with ear buds in, no eye contact, but oblivious robots of every kind.  As most of you know, I go out of my way to make eye contact and say hello…..  not a soul would even attempt it. 

I found the correct flags, took a quick photo and got back on the trail to leave the city of warmth and friendliness! 

I hit the put in, headed down river and headed for my first LOCK transfer! I approached the lock on the river right, and from my online understanding there is a rope that alerts the lock operator that you would like to pass the lock.  The current was strong so I approached close to the shore, close to the 20 foot tall lock wall to the first set of metal ladders that had been embedded into the concrete walls.  I saw the sign that said the lock operated until 5:30 pm on weekends but missed seeing the rope and the huge sign that said pull rope here.  If I would have been a power boat 30 feet from the wall it would have been clear as day.  

I kept paddling closer to the lock doors cautiously until a voice over the speaker said paddle back upstream to the rope and helped me out.  The lock would take 10-15 minutes to fill and then he would let me in.  As I paddled in, he said stay in the center and enjoy the ride.  The lock was 30’ wide and 300’ long, with massive metal doors and hydraulics controlling the flow of water. (approximately 1,009,870 US Gallons of water flushed down river for a kayak) Once I was in, the water started falling at an incredible pace, but there was zero current.  It must dump from the very bottom some how, but in 4 minutes I dropped 15 feet and the doors open and I was free to paddle down river. 

My take out for the day was St. Paul about 15 miles down river.  The flow was good and that 15 miles was adventure free paddling in a sunny 55 degree Mn. spring day. 

As I got to my portage, I looked up and saw a stranger in a Subaru  assault vest ( a vest of neutral color, slightly puffy worn by a person in a Subaru) waving franticly at me.  As I got closer, I realized it was Sam. 

He gave me directions to a better take out and will help with a quick resupply and gear check. 

Tomorrow is a day off… I need it to let my hands and shoulders recover, clean my gear and enjoy the sites and sounds of humanity.