Day 7 - The End
We awoke to yet another photogenic morning. The river mist cast shadows of fall, and the moon shone high and bright, pointing the way to the takeout a mere 3.3 miles downstream.
We packed everything up, took our last campsite photo, and hit the water.
As mentioned, the St. Croix is much wider and even shallower than the Namekagon. This channel around an island is easily as wide as 90% of the Namekagon, but less than a foot deep in the "good" channel. Have I mentioned how difficult it is to skid the stems of the Encounter?
Herons, swans, and Ducks were in flight for much of the way.
And then it was over. We rounded the backside of another horseshoe bend, no different than the hundred before, and there was the takeout. It almost seemed to come as a surprise, as I suspect many trip endings do. One minute you are free, and the next you are back in the real world, with all of the associated pressures and effort.
Riverside Landing is a very nice park, with tent sites off the main area.
After a clothes change from the track cache, we loaded up and hit the highway. After our first 12-hour drive back, I require partners to bring a complete change of clothing for the return trip. Took darn near a week to get the smell out the first time.
The roads of northern Wisconsin gave way to those of north Illinois.
Back home agaaaiiiiin in Indiaaaannnna. . . (RIP Jim Nabors)
The final toll on the Encounter:
I would encourage anyone looking to test the waters of river tripping to experience the Namekagon. It's a great excursion. The water is tame, the campsites are plentiful, and bailout options abound.
Thanks for checking out the thread, and here's to your next adventure, no matter where it may be found.
