Bentonsport, IA

The photo was taken from my kayak in the middle of the Des Moines River during Canoe Van Buren in July of 2005. This is what you see around nearly every bend of this 42 mile float trip: the green of the bluffs, the sparkling blue of the sky and water, and the historic structures all along the way.

Van Buren County dates back to 1839, just a few years after the Dragoon expedition of 1835. The historic riverboat days are especially well captured in Bentonsport.

The Vernon bridge once carried cars, but is now a nicely preserved pedestrian bridge that connects Vernon and Bentonsport.

Van Buren is a must see. The people of Van Buren put on a wonderful canoe float every year, with more that 100 canoes and kayaks and dozens of volunteers.