At 5AM my alarm sounds but I'm typically already awake to turn it off. I get the tent packed up and usually shove off before making breakfast, I like to float in those first few moments of the morning while the sun is breaking. Sometimes a foggy patch on the water draws me near and I paddle down a back slough for a change of pace. A blue heron flies off downstream at my approach. Being on the water early has its many perks such as lower wind, less waves and fewer boaters. I'm just a morning person, what can I say!
My buddy Jay Smith was supposed to be in Debuque but I had the weekends mixed up! Doh. Oh well, I was making great time through the city and smiled as I crossed the bridge below into Illinois. It was a hot and sunny day but the wind wasn't bad so I just kept my head down and paddled on, making coffee shortly after the state line.