Big Miles on the Big Muddy

After a few trips on Ozarks streams, we decided we need to get on bigger water. Danielle was in St. Louis for work at the end of the week so we made plans for Saturday to paddle a portion of the Missouri River in the area. This was our first time getting on the Missouri River - and it was nerve racking! The river moves much faster than smaller rivers, and the obstacles are larger (entire trees floating down the river, wingdikes that jut halfway across the river, and boats). We also knew that we would be on the water for 4-8 hours depending on our speed, so preparations took longer than anticipated.

Danielle arrived at Jeffrey's house around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. We planned to be on the river by 8:00 a.m. Then, we planned to be on the river by 9:00 a.m. Then, we planned to be on the river by 10:00 a.m. Then, we forgot our paddles in Jeffrey's garage and had to turn around to get them, so we planned to be on the river by 11:00 a.m. We finally put in at 11:45 a.m. We checked in with our ground crew chief, Rebecca, every thirty minutes. Rebecca will play an important role during the MR340, so we will blog more about her in a future post.

We paddled 27.3 miles, putting in at the Klondike Access (Rivermile 56.3) and taking out at Frontier Park (Rivermile 29.0).  The weather was great, the river was beautiful, and paddling was easygoing. With the Big Muddy carrying us along, our average pace was about 6.0 mph and finished this trip in 4.5 hours. In July, when we compete in the MR340, we will have 88 hours to finish 340 miles. That's just under 4 miles an hour (if we make no stops and have no complications). Although we made good time during this initial trip, we are still learning how to stay in the current to maximize our speed and minimize our effort.

Using the restroom on the river is challenging. Since this inherently easier for guys than gals, modern technology allows the ladies a few ways to close the difficulty gap.  After researching many FUDs (female urination devices), Danielle settled on the Whiz Freedom. We also purchased a poncho to provide some level of privacy, but the wind made it difficult to keep the poncho in place. It took about twenty minutes to use the restroom, but the Whiz did was it was intended to do. With more practice using the restroom on the river should become easier.

We are happy to report that today (Sunday) neither of us is in too much pain and we successfully completed our first Missouri River paddle!

Laminated maps of the Missouri River to show wingdike and current locations

Honeybee got to shop at Saks for 40 minutes while we drove back for our paddles.

Donning smiles of excitement and nervousness before entering the Missouri River.

Off to a good start!

Now Danielle can keep an eye on activity back in the bow. #RearviewMirror

Obligatory paddle selfie.

Approaching the Daniel Boone Bridge, where "Highway 40" crosses the Missouri River.

Daniel Boone Bridge. Rivermile 44.

You don't get this view every day.

Just passed the Daniel Boone Bridge.

Whiz Freedom comes highly recommended by Danielle!

Howard Bend Treatment Facility. Rivermile 35.

We made it! Frontier Park.  Rivermile 29.0.