I would launch at Red Wing, Minnesota, Ole Mis Marina has a very large fenced lot where you could leave your tow vehicle and
trailer if need be. Red Wing is about 60 miles south of Minneapolis so you could go north as far as possible and double back to
head south. You would be able to start out on the Mississippi much earlier in the spring than on the lakes,typically the ice will be gone sometime in March or April depending on the severity of
winter, it was late May before I could safely move a boat on Lake Michigan a few years ago. Starting in mid April would find the
marinas open and
fuel available without problem, flooding shouldn't be a problem that early in the year more likely in May or June, but every year can be different. Starting out later say July the
water will be warm enough to hang out on sandbars, wade around in the water and drink
beer with the locals. The upper Mississippi has plenty of
marinas if you prefer a slip for the night, there are also a abundance of
safe anchorages. No matter your preference get a copy of Quimby's guide, it has all the information you need for marinas, contact info,mm and services available. I would also recommend a
iPad with
Garmin Bluechart Mobil and get Active
Captain so you can overlay the AC information on the
charts. Allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy what each area and town has to offer, you'll find plenty of friendly people willing to help and share their local knowledge all along the rivers.