here we are on March 10 at hideaway harbor. water was still 38f but the warm sun felt great.
the beach on Island 521 was white with gulls.



Lauren takes wheel! Its really fun to watch her drive the boat fast.
My laptop works on the river, complete with high speed internet access! does this make me a nerd?


I love this little Island, its not on most maps, but you may know it as the island where the school bus used to be. its just up river from the shrine at Portage de Souix.

Here are some pics taken by fellow river rats.
the first is a close up 'stare-down' with the majestic
bald eagle near grafton. the second is of a foggy river
and lowlands. The powerplant is in Portage De Sioux.
the third is how I feel about the season at present.

factoids:

Portage De Sioux was founded in 1799 by the Spanish.
it was used by Sioux natives as a quick escape route from
pursuing spanish soldiers that chased them on the
Mississippi river. they would pickup their canoes and
carry them to the Missouri river miles away.
The spanish wouldn't follow.

Its almost time for another boating season here in the midwest USA.
The summer will provide the warmth and mother earth provides the playground.
While we ait a little longer for spring to break, here some pics of our river when its cold.