August 3, 2013. Prescott, WI to Red Wing, MN. 22 miles.

Twenty two miles is a long way to paddle! We had planned to get an early start, but there was a train stopped across the railroad track, blocking the cars and trucks from getting to the docks, including those pulling trailers loaded with kayaks and canoes!

Once we got started the river was much busier... we paddled past some idle barges early in the day, and had a break on a sand bar.

We were not sure where we were going to have lunch, but Rex pulled up and asked a man if we could park on his waterfront property for lunch and he agreed. We spread out all over his lawn and the neighbors came around to see what all the commotion was.

We passed through lock 4 today. After a short wait the lockmaster allowed us and our safety boats in and required the other power boats to wait. We were grateful for that--there were a lot of power boats on the water today (Saturday).

There were several paddlers who had never been in a lock before, but all went well. It was a 10 foot drop.

Soon we were paddling past Red Wing, where River Fest was in full swing. No wonder we could not get a room here for tonight! We paddled down to Colville Park and took the boats out of the slimy black Mississippi River mud.

Dawn was our "sweep" today, the last boat to come in (flag on the boat says "sweep"). It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it! We loaded up our boat and drove to the B&B we reserved, about 25 miles from town.

After cleaning up we returned to Red Wing for the Great River Rumble Banquet.A good time was had by all... we shared a meal, some awards were given, then we said goodbye to old friends and some new ones. Rumble 2013 is over.