From St. Louis MO and down, the Mississippi River takes on a different look and feel.
Gone are the pools or lakes created by the lock and dams. Now the river moves at a faster pace, it becomes restless as it makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico.
I put my canoe on the water just twice once I left St. Louis. I did this for a couple of reasons. One, the river just becomes a larger version of itself. But mainly, I was running out of time to get to the mouth of the river.
Following the river gave me the opportunity to learn some about the American Civil War.
I continued to follow the river by road and when ever possible, I would take a ferry ride across the river. Any chance to get on the river was a welcomed opportunity to deepen my relationship with it.
The river flows 1.2 miles per hour at the start, but the time it reaches New Orleans, they estimate the river is flowing 3 miles per hour, more then doubling its flow rate.
By the time I reached the mouth of the Mississippi River I had touched all 10 states the river passes through or borders, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky,Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
The southern most point you can drive to in Louisiana is not where the Mississippi River ends.
I was lucky enough to make a couple of new friends who took me down the main channel of the Mississippi River all the way out to the Gulf of Mexico. As we headed south we passed by ocean going vessels from all over the world entering the river.
Pelican's sat perched on signal lights that directed ships. At one point I briefly saw a pod of dolphins surface, and disappear into the brown murky waters.
It was clear by the time we reached the point where the river meets the gulf. Large waves started to toss our boat around. Still, it wasn't that small of a boat, it was used for sport fishing. But I was very happy that I wasn't in my canoe.
Measurements of the length of the Mississippi from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico vary somewhat, but the United States Geological Survey's number is 2,340 miles (3,770 km). The time it takes a drop of water from Lake Itasca to reach the Gulf is typically about 90 days.
I traveled the distance in 2 months, floating sections of it along way. Visiting with people and historical sites to deepen my appreciation for the river and the places it touches.
I did take some time to explore a part of the delta in southern Louisianan, and had the chance to meet some alligators!
Exploring the Mississippi River was a wonderful journey. The people, the places and the nature I encountered were amazing. One could spend a life time exploring the Mississippi River rain basin and never be able to completely capture the full picture of the river and the role it has played and continues to play in our country. But for 2 months I have been on a date with the Mississippi River and we have started a relationship, by spending time and getting to know one another. What I can say, I have a new found and deeper respect and appreciation for the mighty Mississippi River!
I want to give a special thanks to all the generous people who were so kind to me along the way. And a shout out to the Corp of Engineers for their support and help in giving me access the river in their facilities.