Day 24

It was quite an active day on the river for Karl and Nico.  Weather conditions were much improved, at least for the moment.  The NOAA forecast for the next three days is brisk or blustery.  Karl is growing to hate those words.

There was a one hour wait at a lock and dam.  Not much you can do when the spillway isn't spilling.

Passing through Burlington, Iowa marked the all-important 242nd mile of the trip.  It's not all downstream from here, but most of it is.  At this pace, Karl and Nico should make it to Houston in time for fireworks and hot dogs on the 4th...of July.  Thankfully, they are planning on picking up the pace a bit. 

The following paragraph has been redacted due to safety concerns expressed by the father of the protagonist.

Proving that crazy people are not just in cars, a hunter and his trusty Jack Russell Terrier went out of their way to call Karl a darned fool for being out on the river.  As a commercial fisherman and former Special Forces Member, the hunter felt he knew foolishness when he saw it.  The mirror-like reflection of the Mississippi told no lies as it showed him who the true fool was. 
 
Today's coordinates: 40 40.308n 91 07.999w