Livin' Life

We’ve been waking up pretty early on the river I guess partly because we’ve been going to sleep earlier. We’ve also been dreaming alot, very unusual dreams. I guess it’s all connected to the river somehow. Anyway, we headed out on the river into a chilly northerly wind, the sky is overcast. As we drift along I cook our first breakfast aboard the “Belle,” bacon and egg sandwiches and it really hits the spot. When you’re out camping, it’s the little things that make a big impression.

Richard spots Chris up ahead. Wow, he’s making good time and we plan on picking him up later but first we make a stop in Dubugue, Iowa. We pull into a small marina and pull up to the gas pumps. We are met by a very nice young kid who immediately took to our odd river craft. We asked if there was a shower around and he began to tell us about the shower house and the tiki bar up the hill. Perfect! After washing off the last few days of river, we enjoyed a meal and a Corona at the dubuque Marina Bar and Grill.

Dubuque Marina

Like a lot of the riverside cafes and grills, the ambiance reflects the river lifestyle, laid back and friendly. I like it alot! We talked with the proprietor and staff about our journey so far and what may lie ahead. With a parting gift, a cosie with their logo, we head back to the “Belle” to continue on.

A few hours later we see a red kayak up ahead. It takes a pretty good while to catch up to him as we are traveling at a similar speed. We pull along side and invite him aboard. He is very eager to take a break from paddling as he has paddled for 23 days so far and is kayaking all the way to New orleans. I suspect we will cross paths several times down river. He climbs aboard and ends up riding with us throughout the day.

As the sun begins to set we find a little inlet off to the side out of the main channel and current and a great place to chill for the night. There is no land to speak of, only trees that have partly been swallowed up by the rising floodwaters. The canopy above us is lush and there is a sense of being in a Louisiana swamp. I expect to see a gator surface any time now.

Darkness falls quickly below the canopy as an eerie fog rolls in. Chris is laid out on the deck in his sleeping bag and Richard and I are in our racks. The light goes out and the sounds begin, sounds of the river………and snoring…….a symphony of snoring, part of the adventure.