Some stretches of the Mississippi feel remote. Others, like the Mississippi River backwaters remind you how closely the river runs alongside everyday life. Near Savanna, Illinois, the river spreads into a chain of wooded islands and shallow back channels. The water moves slowly and quietly here. From the canoe, it’s easy to lose sight of the nearby towns and highways. The river twists into narrow passages between sandbars and marsh grasses. Into the Mississippi River Backwaters For this paddle, we…
