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Wednesday, September 26, 2001 - Traveling in the Twin
Cities
(from Brendan Battenfelder)
Brendan Update
9/26/01
I have made it to St Paul. I apologize for the last email, it was short
and a mess, but I got KICKED OFF the computer in Brainerd. I finished the
evening in Brainerd in good old Penn State style. I met up with Chris and
Mike, twins from Illinois who are headed to the gulf. I ran to the grocery
store to buy food and then we all met at a bar. Then to the next bar. The
entire time I was carrying a backpack two bags of groceries and a gallon of
water. Who brings their groceries to a bar? It was all down hill from there. The evening involved one more stop at a place, with groceries in
tow, which will be discussed for many years to come. The night ended with
me canoeing five miles in the dark and fog back to my tent, while Chris and
Mike somehow started a fight and ended up in jail for the night. Oh Brainerd what a wonderful town.
The cruise into the twin cities has been interesting. The river is moving much faster now and is up to a quarter mile wide in some parts. The
amount of wildlife along the river has dropped off and the houses have claimed every inch along the banks. But there is hope; I did see an eagle
catch a fish just outside of the city.
I went through my first lock yesterday with a huge barge. That was an experience. It you ever wanted to see how a mouse views the world, try
canoeing in the shipping lanes and locks. I survived though and beached
the canoe at the University of Minnesota. Then I got a ride to the Greyhound station to pick up Kate. We were then picked up by Brandon
Vickers, who is the wonderful gentleman who is publishing the Riverroads.com site.
So today, I think we are off to the Mall of America. My wonderful
backwoods experience is leading me to the largest mall in the US. But it's
the closest thing to the Hotel and it's supposed to have a roller coaster
inside. We shall see.
I had a few questions to ask you all last week but I ran short on time.
First for the bird folks, Do Geese know which direction south is. I've
seen them fly every direction but south. Second do older eagles lose their
white head and tale, or am I seeing a different bird. Third, what do
porcupines do for the environment? They are really cool to watch, but what
good are they. Fourth, what does one call a person traveling down the Mississippi, such as thru-hikers for the Appalachian Trail? There has been
a few ideas mentioned, but I see what you all think first. I believe that's all for know, but I'll have many more things driving me crazy soon
enough.
Well I hope everyone is doing well. I am so excited that Kate is here
and we are headed south tomorrow. Which reminds me, I believe we are about
5 days ahead of the schedule I sent out. So we plan to be in Red Wing Friday the 29th.
Well thanks for the replies and letters and I'll write again soon.
Brendan
Brendan and Kate setting off from Minneapolis.
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