We have the river almost completely to ourselves. There are no barges as the locks in the area are all closed and there are no pleasure boats because people think the water is too high. The water is pretty high, but so far we haven't noticed much of a difference as far as safety. The only boats we see are either mill workers going to and leaving work or barge workers who are keeping an eye on their stranded vessels. It's pretty surreal. We don't have to worry about barge traffic. We just cruise along in the main channel and let the current help us along.
There has been one issue with high water; lock closures. Which means portages. We thought we were done portaging when we left northern Minnesota, but we've had to do two more already in the lock and dam system.
We lunched in Burlington, IA on a half submerged picnic table. I used the seat as my walkway and sat on the table top as I heated mac & cheese and beans (sound delicious right?). After lunch we paddled between shore and a large sea of lily pads. It was raining and you could see water collect on the pads then slide off harmlessly into the river when enough rain drops accumulated. I figure lily pads would make great rain gear.
We were shooting for a boat ramp in Nauvoo, IL to set up camp because we figured most everything would be underwater. Before we could get there, however, a man from shore yelled to us that we could camp in his yard if we wanted to. As we weren't positive of the accommodations of the boat ramp and we weren't that far North of where we wanted to get for the day, we accepted. The man's name was John and he loved the river, especially steamboats. He grew up in Quincy, IL and was very easy to talk to, keeping us up way past our normal bedtime. It was O.K. though; he made us gimlets and sandwiches which were much appreciated.
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