| Return to Main Page | Keosauqua, 12/19/98 |
| December 20, 1998 It's a cold one in Iowa, down below zero for the first time this year. I have done the Des Moines. I paddled the great Horseshoe Bend from Keosauqua to Bentonsport on Saturday, about 12 miles. This was my first long distance paddle in cold weather, so there is a tale to tell. Since this is about 3 hours from home, I decided to drive down on Friday and camp out. There is a fine campground in Bentonsport, so I set up my tent and sleeping bag as soon as I pulled in. The dogs in the yards near the campground took some exception to my presence, breaking into howls every time I shook out a section of the tent. I half expected the neighbors to come out and help me get things set up so they could get back to sleep. The sleeping bag worked well even in the cold weather (it was about 20 degrees), and I was able to pull the bag around my face and stay comfortable all night. The foam pad recommended by Dunhams for a ground cover also worked well. The trip to Bentonsport was a workout. I had temps in the mid teens and a strong wind from the NW, so when the river turned N outside of Keosauqua, there were some tall waves to fight off. The kayak was up to the job, as it has been all along, and once I got turned SE, it was a fast ride. I made a stop in Bentonsport, then continued on to Bonaparte. I talked with people in the stores and restaurants, and they recognized me from letters to the editor. I got a very good response to the river trail idea. It was very nice to make contact with friendly people. I am very pleased with my winter gear. I added waterproof pants to my system, and I am sitting on a rubber mousepad, which gives just enough insulation to make sitting comfortable. Even in the cold wind, I am quite warm. The insulated Sorel boots with waterproofing keep my feet dry and warm. The launch is everything in cold weather. If one can get into the boat with feet and legs relatively dry, the paddling soon warms you up. I also love the waterproof gloves from Campmor. The launch at Keosauqua was difficult due to very muddy bottom conditions, and I ended up laying out across the boat with my legs fully in the water, but the gear stayed good and dry. The wildlife was quite abundant. The eagles were out on the run to the N, and their white plumage looked like snowballs in the sycamores and river birches. Ther were 5 or more eagles at the turn to the SE, and they flew right across the boat as they flew back to the W. It's interesting how they will fly out ahead of the boat, and then they have gone far enough and they pay no attention to an insignificant kayak as they go where they please. I also startled a flock of pheasants, and they flew across the bow of the boat and up into the tall cliffs, where they disappeared into the crevices. To celebrate the end of 9 months of hard paddling, I purchased an 1846 map of Iowa at the Van Buren General Store. It shows the area by Des Moines as the territory of the Sauks and Foxes...most of Iowa was Indian territory at the time of statehood. It is fascinating to follow the course of the Des Moines on a 153 year old map. I made a fire in the campgrounds by the river, brewed up some tea, and enjoyed my treasures. I love being on the river and being in Iowa. River trails in the land of the Sauks and the Foxes . . .why hasn't anyone thought of this before? |