Is Camping with Kids by the River REALLY a Good Idea?

Day 34 was supposed to be a zero… but it turned into one of our most memorable days canoeing and camping on the Mississippi River.

We began the day recovering from heat exhaustion and planning for resupply. But a mix-up at a state park forced us to pack everything back up and relocate camp. The move brought us to Harbor Bar Marina in Red Wing, Minnesota, right where Minnesota meets Wisconsin down the middle of the river. Here, the kids swam, tugboats passed, bikers rolled in for a festival, and we met Brad, the marina owner who welcomed us with kindness.

We’re grateful to have Diane, a dear friend from our hurricane relief days in North Carolina, camping alongside us with her shepherd Stella, filling the gap left by our nine German Shepherd rescues back home.

And just when the day seemed full enough, the Paddle of Fate struck again (thanks Craig Hall)… landing on cowboy camping. That meant no tents tonight - just the stars overhead, the sounds of the river, and the courage to sleep out under the open sky.

This adventure is about more than paddling. It’s about resilience, community, and embracing whatever surprises the river throws our way.

We’re a family of one single mother, Smoky, and seven outdoor boys and girls canoeing and camping 2,350 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf. Follow our daily outdoor family vlog story for every struggle, every laugh, and every unforgettable memory.

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