Archeology by Water

Did you think that field sessions were only by bus, bike, or foot? Well, not this year. We spent this afternoon with David Mather, National Register Archeologist with the Minnesota Historical Society checking out Fort Snelling and Pike's Island from the water, yes you read that right, the water! Lori, Farin, and I, your intrepid Trust staffers, helped paddle a 240 pound cedar canoe on the Mighty Mississippi River (bet you forgot that she started so far north!) and around on the Minnesota River. It was wild - think a cormorant, an egret, a peregrine falcon, blue heron, swallows and lots of ducks - and truly wonderful! Jim Cummings our guide and steer master regaled us with tales of the discovery of Pike's Island, Picnic Island (yes, there are picnics tables on it) and other really cool stories.

Truth be told we didn't really do this all on our own. David, Jim, Pat, Stacey, Mike, and Joseph did some of the paddling and story-telling too. I hadn't gone canoeing since I was 12, which means that any of you can do this. No experience is required - I don't think that Farin has gone canoeing before - and you go as you can. (Something tells me that Farin wasn't paddling at the back of canoe - she rode more like Scheherazade, but she can tell you all about that!)

~Charlotte

PS I stand corrected Farin has been canoeing!

PPS: Watch the video that follows the path you'll be taking in your canoe - and a touch of the history you'll be experiencing:
http://wcco.com/findingminnesota/local_story_301084811.html