June 25

The smog and fog continued into this morning, the burning smell still present. A constant rain added to the driving frustration. But, by the time I reached Riverside Landing, things were clear. This is at mile-marker 130 of the St. Croix River’s 152 miles… which are part of the park. St. Croix Lake, the source of the river, and the first section of the river are not within the park’s boundaries. This is one clean water flow. Due to environmental regulations and ongoing stewardship, this river is as clean as a Corvette after three shine jobs. The 1968 National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act granted protection to eight rivers, including the St. Croix. The previous 100 years had seen commercial operations use the river to float cut logs downstream. At times there would large jams due to so many sections of timber. One could even walk from shore to shore by stepping on logs. It is good to know those days will never return. What does return, year after year, are the flying insects. I had to shoo away many as I walked along the river.

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is situated around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Almost all of the property within the boundary of the park is owned by non-Federal organizations and businesses. The park is basically a joint venture with all those other folks. There were floating hotels on the water, alongside tall grain storage bins ready to load their inventory onto barges. Power boats were moving up and down the river. Fishermen had planted themselves on Raspberry Island and Hariet Island Regional Park to try and catch pike, bass, and other species. A few green spaces are interspersed among the businesses to provide the locals with walking and biking paths.