River
Rats
of
the
Mississippi
River
Bluffs:
Kayaking
Exploit
from
the
Flooded
Isles.
Recreational
use
of
kayaks
dominates
rivers,
streams,
oceans,
and
lakes.
But
few
people,
if
any,
think
to
paddle
on
the
flooded
lowland
islands
of
the
Mississippi.
For
a
few
short
weeks
after
the
spring
thaw,
these
islands,
full
of
trails
and
designated
as
a
wildlife
reserve,
become
flooded
with
several
feet
of
water,
transforming
the
peaceful
Iowan
vibe
into
a
Central
American
swamp.
Along
with
my
father,
my
brother,
and
his
girlfriend,
we
made
a
day
out
of
this
dark
and
mysterious
temporary
swamp.
We
started
the
day
pulling
out
onto
the
small
parking
lot
on
the
bridge
between
Marquet
and
Prarie
Du
Chien.
After
some
nosing
around,
we
discovered
an
old
steel
staircase
that
plunged
down
into
the
muddy
abyss.
It
was
quite
a
battle
squeezing
our
kayaks
down
into
water.
From
their
we
were
free
to
roam
through
the
upper
level
of
the
forest,
kayaking
through
the
branches
of
trees.
Sunlight
streamed
through
the
canopy
as
the
sounds
of
highway
18
slowly
gave
way
to
chattering
birds
and
croaking
frogs.
We
weaved
through
the
flooded
forest,
silently
gliding
across
the
glassy
surface
of
the
water
that
brilliantly
reflected
the
golden-‐green
canopy
of
trees
above.
I
could
have
stayed
right
there
in
the
first
grove
for
days,
but
we
paddled
to
the
edge
near
the
main
channel.
As
we
left
the
cover
of
the
trees,
we
instantly
felt
like
helpless
ants
as
we
bobbed
turbulently
in
the
strong
current.
In
the
distance
we
could
see
a
freight
barge
travelling
our
way,
and
fenced
shore
of
the
Prarie
Du
Chien
park
was
visible
on
the
other
end
of
the
channel.
We
all
exchanged
glances
at
each
other,
and
then
collectively
looked
back
at
the
distant
shore.
With
one
mind,
we
began
a
frantic
paddle
across
the
canal,
having
to
redirect
our
rout
as
the
current
pushed
us
towards
Mcgregor.
With
luck
and
a
lot
of
elbow
grease,
we
scraped
land
on
the
boat
landing
next
to
the
recently
restored
old
hotel.
Continued
on
page
8