Today’s word: OBFUSCATE. Last night was chilly, dipping to 50 degrees. That brought some dew that soaked our tents, and a fog that left the river invisible to us. We awoke around sunrise to get an early start because today was Mark’s last day of this leg, and me and the girls were due to meet Sarah in LeClare for dinner.

I was glad to be sharing the peddling today with Caroline. She’s always been very adventurous and likes taking on new challenges, and I was excited to give her a taste of my experience on the river.

We pushed off into Spruce Creek from our campsite and made the short paddle to the river. The fog was so thick it was a little concerning. Mark and I knew this first mile, having traversed it twice yesterday, but would we run into someone else out here. We could only see about 50’ ahead, after that everything was vague shadows. As we speculated aloud about running into someone, a fisherman at the boat launch responded, “Don’t worry, nobody has launched here this morning.” Of course not – who would be risking their boat trying to travel with 50’ visibility! We had the river all to ourselves, though we couldn’t see it. At one point Caroline and I got some distance away from Mark as he paused to set up his music, or maybe eat some bougie snack, and we both commented afterwards that the first thing we could see of one another were the reflective stickers on the paddles! (These things really work! I need to find some more.)

The fog cleared as lock & dam #12 came into view about 2 miles from the campsite. I was excited to have copilot Caroline talk with the lock operators, but unfortunately we were having radio troubles. For the first time, we had to do the old fashioned tug on the chain that alarms the operator that someone is here.

The cool of the morning quickly turned hot as the sun shone with a few scattered clouds. It didn’t take long for Caroline to get in synch with the peddling, and she never tried to fight me for steering, leaving me to keep us pointed where we wanted to go. We saw our share of eagles, pelicans, egrets, and turtles. We also paddled right by the front end of a dead Northern Pike: not sure what happened to the tail end, but this beast would’ve been about 3’ long if fully reassembled.

We lashed our boats together for a traditional PBJ floating lunch. This has become a nice social tradition, and today was a chance to talk a little about music. Mark tuned into one of Caroline’s favorite bands and we enjoyed our midday break.

Through the day, I had the chance to catch up with Caroline on various topics. We surmised this has been about the longest stretch we’ve gone without seeing one another; as she’s been back at University of Northern Iowa for 3 weeks now, a lot has happened. She’s enjoying her classes, though I heard the word stressed from her probably 6 times in less than 24 hours. She’s at that stage where things do seem extra stressful: you’re an adult now, not quite independent but expecting to get there; a lot is happening fast and you’re not sure if you’re in control of it; you love being “on your own” but sometimes long for simpler, carefree, younger years. I think anyone over 30 has gone through that, and oftentimes it’s hard.

Caroline is also preparing to study in Ireland next semester; I couldn’t be more excited for her. This is something that her parents and 2 siblings never had a chance to do. But, it’s another stressor in an already crowded space. I wish her dad could be there for her a little more right now; it’s a tug I feel daily. I look forward to seeing her in Cedar Falls in November.

All in all it was a lovely day that passed quickly. As we got close to our meeting place with Christin and Deana in Sabula, we paused for some photos under the highway 52 bridge from Savanna Illinois. A prominent 55 was noted as the largest distance from the bridge to the water level (note: we were still another 5 feet below that; did I mention the record low water levels?) Mark and I are each 55 this year, and Mark heard the bridge calling out congratulations on our epic journey at 55. “Ten the hard way” is also Mr. Potato Chad’s favorite dice roll – so here’s to you Chad (who’s not yet 55).

As we paddled for home, we were hot, thirsty and tired. 20+ miles at a brisk pace in the full sun takes its toll. And, because Christin and I need to deliver a kayak to Steve Mudd (side dish #4) in Hannibal Missouri, we still had to cart the kayaks up a hill to the car, and load them on top, which is somewhat taxing alone.

As we finished loading up, Mark’s wife Deana arrived. I promised her I would return the positive, encouraging, fun-loving Mark I borrowed, which I think I did, though there are a few dents and scrapes that are likely noticeable in good lighting. we had a minor celebration in the park overlooking the river, then we dragged ourselves into vehicles.

I went on for a hotel stay in LeClaire Iowa, where Sarah met us for dinner. Strangely I have no photos of us at the Bier Stube German restaurant where we had a nice time and a decent meal. I have only one photo of my schnitzel which was less than great and not worth sharing. As noted above, we’re then driving a kayak down to Hannibal then back up this way to dump me back in the river, but I’ve decided on a two day break to enjoy some time with Christin and allow a little recovery. (Note: I’ll still blog, but expect less exciting surprises, or at least different ones, if any.)

Today’s musical offering is again in honor of Caroline. I know most of us would like to sing along with Neil Diamond… “When it began, oh-oh-oh-ohhh, I can’t begin to knowin’, but I know it’s goin’ strong…” But Caroline is not most of us. I really appreciate Caroline’s taste in music; she listens to a lot of Beatles, Bowie, Kinks, Queen and the like, what my son Isaac calls ‘geezer grooves’, but she introduces me to some great new music as well. This summer I was excited to take her to see what may be her current favorite band, and after the show we got a photo with them. And I tell everyone, a few of the band members loved my vest (which I found on the street in London this July, btw). Also as a nod to our launch in the creek this morning, and this is the first song that played with Mark in our floating lunch today: Bendigo Fletcher singing Sugar in the Creek.