Catfish Creek

 Catfish Creek: Mines of Spain Canoe Launch - out and back

2 hours
3 river miles

We took our time, like you should on a lazy river. Paddle upstream and take a left at the fork to meet a family of muskrats. If you take a right, you can go about the same distance under a major highway bridge and straight along the railroad tracks (a different kind of scenery). Almost no current makes paddling upstream very easy, perfect for first timers and kids. Then just turn around and paddle back the same route. Short and scenic. 

The Mississippi is a short distance down stream from the canoe launch, you can almost see it from the parking lot. It is worth a peak. Tall limestone bluffs frame the views from the bridges and canoe launch. Silver maples arch over the creek.

And now for the human element...

Khushali and I surprised ourselves with the amount of adventure we had on this trip. We dorked around for over 3 hours! We walked up the creek when the water became too shallow for our kayaks. We even did a little "silent sit" for 10 minutes. So fucking refreshing. After we had been re-calibrated, we slowly ventured back to the canoe launch. Khushali stopped to take a video of the muskrat family under the tree roots and turtles on a log. I mean, we could have been out there for hours. There was so much to see! Who knew?!

Of course we had some amazing Indian food too. We had stuffed bhatura and chunda made by her mom in India! I still can't believe this.