The Free Press, Mankato, MN Special project: River Voyage 2012-05-30T07:27:25-05:00 urn:uuid:335beb65-7a2f-4ccd-a66c-f798f60ba322 PHOTO GALLERY: Voyage down the Minnesota River urn:uuid:e8dfbc18-6303-48e0-a2e3-94e0784c57b0 2008-07-17T15:54:00-05:00 Check here to see a photo gallery from Free Press staff members John Cross and Tim Krohn's canoe trip down the Minnesota River from near Ortonville to St. Paul. Eleven days, countless paddle strokes By Tim Krohn urn:uuid:2ba754ab-562e-412e-a9a0-141475c791fa 2008-07-16T21:37:00-05:00 After 11 days, 330 miles and countless thousands of paddle strokes, John Cross and I were more than ready to climb out of our Old Town canoe for the last time. End of the river trail By John Cross urn:uuid:179f0fdf-719a-4c1a-a603-965da66d88b3 2008-07-16T21:30:00-05:00 There is a growing awareness of the value of a remarkable resource, the Minnesota River. VIDEO: River Voyage, Day 11 - The confluence urn:uuid:03998c1d-2844-4083-854a-4fca7b4c26fa 2008-07-16T17:08:00-05:00 See video of Free Press staffers Tim Krohn and John Cross as they complete their journey down the Minnesota River. VIDEO: River Voyage, Day 10 - Barge traffic near Savage urn:uuid:e8fa7aa3-d630-43ac-8683-a8d59e891ebe 2008-07-16T15:22:00-05:00 Watch video of Free Press staffers Tim Krohn and John Cross as they canoe near barges on the Minnesota River near Savage. VIDEO: River Voyage, Day 9 - Belle Plaine urn:uuid:532c6344-0541-46e5-a69b-3bb34b2d554d 2008-07-16T15:19:00-05:00 See video of Free Press staffers John Cross and Tim Krohn as they canoe the Minnesota River near Belle Plaine. River Voyage: Tracking the progress urn:uuid:aafcf8fc-e4fb-47eb-b6e6-4f964b94bf40 2008-07-16T15:15:00-05:00 This map shows the progress of Free Press staffers Tim Krohn and John Cross as they make their way down the Minnesota River. Recreational use of river highest here By Tim Krohn and John Cross urn:uuid:60ad5041-0311-4d49-9453-aacbd034b02e 2008-07-16T08:35:00-05:00 As our trip down the Minnesota nears its end, it is with some hometown pride that we can report that the love of the river is as strong in the Mankato area as anywhere. Day 10: Barging along By Tim Krohn urn:uuid:817b9bca-3eab-493f-81a6-d89f8adf0279 2008-07-16T00:04:00-05:00 The 35 miles between Belle Plaine and Bloomington takes the canoeists from a remote, wooded area to the din of freeways and barges. Drainage remains an issue By Tim Krohn urn:uuid:b723937b-b7da-463b-aef7-6ca93eb1fb1f 2008-07-15T23:51:00-05:00 River activists say the biggest problem for the Minnesota is farm drainage.