Taking a dip in the Mississippi River

Robert Laird, 10, closes his eyes while attempting to maintain his balance in the waters of the Mississippi River on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Anthony Benson, 6, left, and Robert Laird, 10, laugh while attempting to maintain their balance in the Mississippi River as the wake from a barge rolls into Riverfront Park on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Anthony Benson, 6, looks at the sky while floating on his back in the Mississippi River on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

A barge travels along the Mississippi River on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, in Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Robert Laird, 10, right, uses a rock to splash his friend, Anthony Benson, 6, while playing in the Mississippi River on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)

Robert Laird, 10, left, and Anthony Benson, 6, watch the flow of the Mississippi River while sitting in its waters Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, at Riverfront Park in Cape Girardeau. (Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian)