Northward, Ho!

    Well we have made it this far, I guess it's time to cap off the trip and head for the head of navigation on the Mississippi. Unfortunately that is just below St Anthony Falls. The ACE has locks to navigate further, however they were closed in 2015 to prevent invasive species from spreading further north past the falls. 

    Sunday morning, we were off like a herd of turtles as always. We cruised through Lock 7, then Lock 6 at Trempeleau, through downtown Winona, and through Lock 5A to the city municipal dock in Fountain City, WI. I had boated and fished all along this stretch as a kid, except the area around Winona. We stayed away from the bigger towns... too many other boats 😅

    We got secured and checked in with the bar overlooking the dock, and promised to return for dinner if they kept their eyes on the boat. We put the dinghy in and cruised up the backwaters to Bay's End Resort. They have a few docks, and I actually kept a 16' tri-hull boat there 1 season many moons ago. Well the place has changed hands a couple times since those days, but is still called Bay's End. We met a couple guys there and had a great time talking. They knew many folks I used to hand with in Arcadia, WI nearly a lifetime ago. We planned 1 drink, I think we had 4 when we finally said no we have got to go while I can still steer the boat! 

We cruised back down the bay and visited a nearby campsite from days long ago. Much of where we camped had worn away and was now in the water, but still looks like a great place to fish. We loaded up the dinghy, and headed ashore for a brief walk around Fountain City.

    We stopped and had dinner at the Winddam Bar. Great food and nice folks that ran the place. Went back to the boat and had several visitors from the town checking us out. This type of boat is not very common up here, so we catch alot of attention. We stayed out back for the sunset, but as you can tell one of us thinks it's winter already!

    I, on the other hand, am still comfy in my shorts and short sleeves... it's only August 11!

Monday morning, we shoved off a little later than planned, due to fog. As we approached lock 5, it appeared to still be heavy on the top side. It was burning off by the time were got through, and continued on. We enjoyed the nature but were surprised by the amount of boat traffic for a weekday. Several fishing boats, but also many pontoons and cruisers! We locked through at 4 after a brief wait for them to finish locking the Wisconsin through. We caught him and passed him just before Wabasha, MN

    Growing up, I loved the Grumpy Old Men movies, and they were shot right here in Wabasha, MN. Slippery's Tavern is a bit bigger than portrayed, or has grown... who knows! We will stop in on the way south for a beverage and lunch on our way south if possible!

    Shortly upstream we passed the mouth of the Chippewa River. Not navigable from here, but did a fair amount of boating years ago on Lake Wisota and Lake Holcombe, both reservoirs on the Chippewa. Again, nearly a lifetime ago!

    Here is a nice shot heading up Lake Pepin.  First time we have seen over 8mph since we hit the Mississippi! We cruised on up to Lake City, MN and spent the night at the marina there. We will be stopping on our way back south to fuel up and wanted to get good look around. We met a nice couple on a Grand Banks, they live there on it through the summers, then travel in the winter.

    Tuesday took us on out of Lake Pepin, and north past Red Wing, MN. We are shooting for a stop here on our way back south. 

    Past Red Wing we hit Lock 3. I was surprised to see the graffiti scribbled on the walls. This is no something you would get away with along the southern rivers. Loopers were in a habit of putting stickers on the floating pins and we were asked to refrain from that practice. While I have seen so many things that look so familiar about home, this would not be one of them.

    Past Lock 3, we cruised on up to the mouth of the St Croix River. We will make a trip up there to Stillwater on our way home. But for tonight we settled in at Hub's Landing in Hastings, MN. Very friendly place! We met a couple loopers in consideration, maybe not planning yet. Just as before, we attract alot of attention with this type of boat. The dockmaster met us the next morning with some recently caught walleye! Thanks so much Bart!!

    Wednesday we moved on to St Paul, MN at the Watergate Marina. This is the last recreational Marina taking transients. We are just under 8 miles and 1 last lock on limited hours from the head of navigation.

   

    Watergate, just like Hub's is full of very friendly folks. It is truly amazing how small the great Mississippi River is up here. I have been on so much of the river before, but the mouth of the St Croix was the furthest up I had been until this trip.

    We will be spending 4 nights here, doing some exploring, going to see the Mall of America for Amy's Birthday, seeing some of Amy's family that is up here, plus Saturday we will make a day cruise up through Lock 1 and cruise on um to St Anthony Falls in Minneapolis to finish off the trip. Those are all the fun things you will read about next week!!