Same River—Yet Different

9-8-2021

As I write, we are in our car heading north. Canoe straps obstruct my vision. That’s right—a canoe. Instead of two kayaks, we will paddle on the Mississippi River in a canoe. This trip will be on the same river, yet different.

One of the biggest differences is our mode of transportation. John and I will share the same boat instead of navigating our own kayaks. We changed our water vessel because we are lazy. The upper Mississippi has several portages. Often a portage involves unloading the boat, carrying all your gear to the new launch site, carrying your boat, and then repacking it. Gear in a kayak is divided into small parcels—a lot to transfer. Also, two boats require two trips. Repacking a kayak needs to be precise to be sure everything fits. A canoe has room for larger dry bags—less to unload and carry. One boat—one trip. Repacking need not be as precise. See, we are lazy.

While portages will be easier with a canoe, navigating together instead of on our own has its disadvantages and advantages. We will be together. Always. No opportunity to paddle out of hearing. No silence. Then again, I will hear his directions more easily.

In my boat, I was in charge of my navigation. From the front of the canoe, I trust John to keep us safe from whirlpools, eddies, and other dangers. I can’t decide I want to steer because I might override his intent. He has to project his thoughts and not assume I know what he needs me to do. We have practiced our communication on shorter trips over the last few years. One word commands and fewer phrases. We replaced “left” and “right” with “switch,” eliminating my need to decide which is left and right. Stay tuned. Same waterway—different mode of transportation.

We stuffed our food into four food-grade five-gallon buckets. As before, I dehydrated and vacuum-sealed all our meals, but our “cooking” method differs. Previously, we added water and then boiled the water/food. This used a lot of fuel, and we had to stir it often. We transitioned to a freezer bag method. This involves boiling the water in a Jet Boil and pouring it over the food in a freezer bag, placing the bag in a cozy, and waiting for ten to fifteen minutes. This should reduce our fuel consumption. Stay tuned. Same recipe—different cooking method.

One last difference doesn’t affect John since he’s a boy. Peeing. Exposing myself, squatting, toilet paper usage/and disposal stressed me.

Problem: exposing self. Solution: a dress. I was hesitant to wear a dress because of the sun’s exposure. We wear upf clothing instead of sunblock, so I am trying runners’ leg sleeves to protect my thighs and knees from the sun. Modesty is another issue. I will wear swim bottoms.

Problem: squatting. Solution: FUD (female urination device), e.g. Go Girl. This device lets me peep like a guy.

Problem: toilet paper usage and elimination. Solution: Kula Cloth. This reusable anti-microbial pee cloth is used to PAT DRY (not wipe) and dangled in the sun to dry. No hole digging and less toilet paper usage. Stay tuned. Same elimination—different tools.

We originally planned to launch at the source of the Mississippi at Lake Itaska, MN, but low water forced us to place Ripple (our canoe) in the river farther downstream in St. Paul.

Follow our website (www.separateboats.com), Facebook (@separateboats), and Instagram (@separateboats) as we return to river life on our beloved Mississippi. Our previous three-and-a-half-month trip changed our land life. We are now returning to the same river as different people.

Same river—yet different.