"The basin of the Mississippi is the body of the Nation" -- Mark Twain

On January 5, 2009, I began a virtual swim down the Mississippi. It was about 20 degrees that day, so staying indoors seemed prudent. I could have started from the scenic headwaters of Lake Itasca, but chose to start closer to home, at Mile 848 just above Lock & Dam # 1 in Minneapolis (http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/NIC2/Documents/MissRiver/Map009-842-851.pdf)

For my notes on the trip, I am using the Friends of the Mississippi River's Field Guide.
http://fieldguide.fmr.org/site_detail.php?site_id=173

Day 1: 1.14 miles, below Mile 847, Hidden Falls Regional Park: http://www.stpaul.gov/facilities.asp?search=1&CID=1&pagenum=3&RID=42&Page=detail

Day 2: 1.14 miles, below Mile 846, Fort Snelling:
http://fieldguide.fmr.org/site_detail.php?site_id=189

Day 3: 1.5 miles, above Mile 844, Pike Island:
http://fieldguide.fmr.org/site_detail.php?site_id=194

Day 4: 0.75 miles, below Mile 844, confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers:
http://fieldguide.fmr.org/site_detail.php?site_id=205