Day 4 (9/16/20)

Live a Great Story

Start: 202.5

Finish:186

Day Total: 17.5 Miles

Segment Total: 92 Miles

Beach camp on Mosenthein Island

Today was a day of putting in the work. 2 portages, one around Mel Price lock and Dam. We had to haul our gear, supplies and boats almost 2 miles, followed by a portage around the Chain of Rocks, which is a low head dam that creates a set of category 4 rapids. 

Fisherman Luke, was a great help in hauling our gear to the water

When we are at our most exhausted a river angel always seems to appear just when we need help the most. In our grueling portage around Mel Price Lock, we met Luke who was fishing for bait fish for his evening fishing session. He was a super friendly and helpful person. Not only did he help us carry, he kept Jon company while I did my Tetris job of making all my stuff fit in my boat.

We reached a river milestone and one that is very historic. At mid day we crossed the confluence of the Missouri River mile zero flowing into the Mississippi River mile 195. This is the same confluence that Lewis and Clark crossed heading upstream from St Louis with their Crops of Discovery. For me it was a really meaningful moment, one that I’ll never forget.

Once we got camp set up we took a refreshing dip in the river. Man that cool water felt so good after a hot sweaty day hauling gear. Diner was pasta, marinara sauce and cocktail wheenies. Evening treat is Kentucky Bourbon and dark chocolate infused with jalapeño juice. This is Jons new accidental specialty. 

Jon pratfalling into the river at Chain of Rocks

Jon and I at the Missouri/Mississippi River confluence

Apologies for the upside down images

 Jons sass of the day. When I asked him to give me a hand hauling my boat down a steep slope, he and a fisherman he was talking to sipping started clapping. I had no choice but to take a theatrical bow.

Jones quote from yesterday explained. Jon like to number each river mile on his map so he can tell what our current mileage is. The problem is, he is he likes to work ahead a few days, so every time we revise the plan, which happens almost daily, he ends up with multiple numbers for each river mile.

We are camped tonight on a beautiful sandy beach. Across the river we can see downtown St Louis and the famous Gateway Arch. Tomorrow, we paddle right past it. We are now past the Lock and Dam system and the river is free flowing all the way to the Gulf. A hard days work makes the quite evening even more special. 

Thanks again for our river angel Luke. It’s the people we meet that are what this trip is really all about, the paddling is just vehicle for the experiences. Sweet dreams to my loved ones in TN, CA, NY, WI and MN.