On Sunday, Brian set up a group to paddle down the Mississippi on a four hour trip from Boom Island Park to Hidden Falls. It's about a four hour trip under a number of bridges and through three locks.

I had never paddled through a lock on a canoe or a kayak before and I have to say, it's quite fun. If you haven't, the process is simple: there's a rope to pull to communicate with the lock master. When the light turns green, you go in and there's something to hold on to and everyone else holds along while the water lowers.

Overall a fun, leisurely trip and a small sandy beach just north of Lake Street served as a nice lunch spot.

I rented a kayak from Midwest Mountaineering for a surprisingly inexpensive $30/day. $10/day extra for an inflatable mount which even worked on my small car.

I posted some photos as well as Ed, Brian and Greg.

A recommended trip!