Day 7: 9/2/06

The windy, oxbow-filled river continues southeast of Grand Rapids. The river travels 120 miles in the 60 miles it takes the crow to fly. Our skies were graced this morning by Sandhill Cranes. These indicators of healthy wetlands at one time coexisted with dinosaurs and have succeeded ever since. There are 15 species of cranes world-wide and the majority of them are endangered. The International Crane Foundation is working to bring them back!




The river has already changed drastically since we left a week ago. We've left the wild-rice-filled marshes of the north and entered the transition land before the low-lying forests. The high, sandy banks now lining both river banks were called Piquadinaw, or "it is hilly" by the Ojibwe. Ben models his newly bought aviator sunglasses. And no, that's not a hat, it's the official BrothersForTheRiver.org flag! Represent!