October 7, 2023

The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in North America. It is also the second-largest drainage system on the continent. The Hudson Bay drainage system lays claim to first place in both categories. The Mississippi drains parts of 32 states as well two Canadian provinces, over 1.2 million square miles. By the time it reaches New Orleans, it is discharging an average of 593,000 cubic feet of water per second into the Gulf of Mexico.

We live on the west shore of the Mississippi River, on land that once belonged to France. Had Thomas Jefferson not made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, I might be writing this post in French instead of English. As President, Jefferson wanted to secure access to the river for the United States. The land had changed hands a few times since being taken from the indigenous populations living there. France had controlled the territory of Louisiana since 1699, lost it to Spain in 1762 following the French and Indian War, then regained it when Spain transferred it back in 1802. Fortunately for Jefferson, Napoleon Bonaparte’s quest for empire left the country of France cash poor, and he was willing to sell the territory. A deal was struck for $15 million (3 cents per acre), and our young nation was suddenly almost twice as large as before. What a bargain! Adjusted for inflation, the cost today would be about $340 million (64 cents per acre). The purchase included most of the land that now comprises the states of Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma, plus parts of Minnesota, Louisiana, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas

We will soon be embarking on our own Mississippi River expedition, taking a riverboat cruise south from St. Paul to New Orleans. Before boarding the ship, though, we took a few short road trips, beginning with Lake Itasca, where we began following the Great River Road to Red Wing, Minnesota where the boat actually sets sail. We actually began this journey three years ago, in 2020. Our cruise was scheduled for that year, but was cancelled due to COVID. It’s been a long wait, and we’re excited to finally get on board!

To prepare for this trip, I read “The Mississippi and the Making of a Nation” by Stephen E. Ambrose and Douglas G. Brinkley. The book was written in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. The authors talk about the general history of sections of the river, and also introduce the reader to many of the interesting people who have lived or made history along the Mississippi River. In addition to good reading, it makes a beautiful coffee table book with many photographs by National Geography photographer Sam Abell. Ambrose, Brinkley and Abell traveled south to north, from New Orleans to Itasca State Park, the reverse of our upcoming trip.

I also read “Road Trip USA: Great River Road, by Jamie Jensen, a small paperback travel guide, which we’ll be bringing on our cruise. Jensen gives short histories of small and large towns along the river, plus tips for sightseeing and restaurants. I expect we’ll be referring to it quite often. I purchased the book in December, 2019, but it appears it is no longer in print. Too bad! You can get a used copy on Amazon for about $80, or I could sell you mine for a little bit less!!!

The US Department of Transportation has several maps of the Great River Road, detailed by state, as well as an overall map of the entire route. They are designed for road trips, of course, but provide a great deal of information on sites along the river.

You can also download a printable map from the Experience Minnesota River website, that also lists many attractions along both sides of the river.