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Dear Mom and Dad,

I've sent a special care package from the Des Moines.  The scenery was quite beautiful here, and the fine camera of the Megs caught the sparkly water and the luminous foliage in loving detail.

My trip was mostly for scouting.  I had not been on the West Fork, and I did not know what it would be like.  The Internet river gages showed that there was not a lot of water (no more than a few feet), but I found the current to be moderate to fast and the channels to be more than adequate for the little kayak.  I had to get out and pull the boat to deeper water a few times, but I learned to stay near shore and everything went fine.  I average 4 mph, and the GPS worked like a charm, especially at night when I needed to find my campground  (I was driving).

I traveled all of the 60 or so miles from Estherville to Humboldt checking out the West Fork, and found 7 boat ramps, most with camping, and some with amenities  (like a toilet).  I paddled about 13 miles the first day, then scouted north.  On the second day, I scouted the dam at Rutland, which is a hydro dam that has not been used to generate power for some 40 years.  It is very picturesque, and I sent several photos of the area.  The water rushes over the dam with considerable velocity, and I found 2 ways to portage around.

The camping was fine.  The first night was at a state park, so I had my own spot and serious amenities, like hot water.  The second night was at a county access point, River Runner, which was quite primitive.  Once the grain dryer stopped drying, it was very still, and I could hear the deer rustling in the woods by the river.

So, I'm 330 miles done and 70 miles to go to complete the Des Moines River journey.  I got a good cold weather sleeping bag today, and I hope to get done before really cooold weather sets in.  Then I can start lobbying for the Des Moines River Canoe and Kayak trail, to make this wonderful trip more accessible to the general public.

Love, 

Gigs and Megs