Day 32: 10/1/06

This morning, loud booms echoed through the river valley. We thought that Iowa had finally declared war on Wisconsin, but we later learn it's just the beginning of duck hunting season. Perfect timing, we thought we might miss it. Hunting is allowed in sections of the Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which will be our home for the next few weeks, while we wind our way to St. Louis.






Our new shelving system helps us store gear while camping in the wild.

















Pushing through morning fog, we hug the western shore, choosing wingdams and shotgun fire over potential collisions with passing river traffic.










Tonight Joe and Ben camp near (and play on)
huge river buoys which line the main channel.