A Mississippi River Canoe Adventure?

There is just something about the Mississippi River. The broad, muddy river that crosses America just has "it." And I'm not really sure what "it" is. But the Old Man has some sort of irresistible pull and attraction to some people like me, and there is no telling where that comes from.

I was a river rat long before ever actually seeing the Mississippi. My fascination with that whole river lifestyle started when Mark Twain crossed my path.
In the sixth grade, I was already a hopeless book nerd, and even then, my idea of a good time was reading a new book Then, I met "Huckleberry Finn." And in common with most kids who hung out with him, Huck got me in trouble!
 "Leon!"
The voice made me jump in my seat. I had snuck in from the playground at recess to read, because Huck and Jim were nearing Cairo, Illinois, and I just had to see what would happen. The baseball game was boring, and besides, what was Huck going to do? He wouldn't really turn Jim in to the slave catchers, would he? I was so engrossed in Huck's dilemma I didn't hear anyone walk up behind me.
But my teacher, Mrs. Platte, had apparently noticed my absence. Now, she stood frowning in the door, arms crossed.
"You're not supposed to be in here!" she said, giving me that withering look that could put the most boisterous sixth-grader in his place. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Just reading," I said, giving her my innocent look, and lifted up the book to show the cover.

Her expression changed, and the thundercloud dissipated some. She still made an attempt to continue glaring at me.
"I had to see how it came out," I said. Maybe I should ask a question, I thought - that generally made Mrs. Platte happy. It wouldn't hurt to try, since it looked like I was about to catch hell anyway!
"Have you ever seen the Mississippi? Is the river like it says in this book?"
Mrs. Platte struggled with her poker face.
"Leon: You are making a poor attempt to divert my attention," she said. "Yes, I have seen the Mississippi, and not even Mark Twain could do justice to it. It is magnificent beyond belief."
"Wow...A mile wide..."
"Now explain this, please," she interrupted.
"Most of my boys would rather play baseball than eat. But you leave the game, to come inside and read a book that isn't even required reading until the eighth grade!"she said.
"So, just what am I supposed to do with you?"

I tried to look even smaller and more pathetic, and slipped down a little more in my chair.
"Well, I guess you don't have much choice," I said slowly and sadly. "You're going to have to keep me in from recess and make me read a book."
At that, any attempt at composure left Mrs. Platte, and she threw back her head and laughed out loud.
"OUT!" she yelled, and pointed to the door. "And you better beat me back to that diamond!"
I ran past and outside, and then slowed down. I wasn't real worried about her catching me, not when she was laughing that hard.
But I was going to see that big river some day, I promised myself, while headed back to the playground.
I knew that.