For those just following me here on the blog site I needed to give you an update. On my crossing of Holter Resivour I started having lots of pain in my groin area. I was able to get assistance off the lake with about 5 miles to go and I was able to continue the next day and complete the…
Overview Map
This map shows the Missouri River. The blue line shows my drive from Colorado Springs to the start in Three Forks, Montana. The trip crosses through Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. It finishes in St. Louis, Missouri. The lowest three states share a border along the river, and I will camp on either side. In…
One Month to Go
Today, April 14, is one month from the start of my Missouri River journey. Lots of time has been spent on preparations and all is ready. I have received lots of input from members of the Missouri River Paddlers Facebook page which has greatly assisted with getting ready, so thanks to all. My mail drops have been identified as well…
First Full Cargo Load
Today I fully loaded the Eddyline Shasta so as to get an idea of weight and stowage for all my gear and food. Listed here is all the gear and food: Food 3 Weeks – 54.5 Dog Food and gear – 21 Camp (Tent etc.) – 16 Kitchen & Water Filters – 15.5 Clothes – 11 Day Bag – 4…
Maps
It’s a river – it starts in one place and ends in another. How much more straight forward can it be? I love maps and the planning that goes into any adventure that I undertake. Back in the day, I relied on paper maps and guide books to plan adventures. Today, planning has radically changed due to the internet revolution.…
How a crossword grew into an adventure
A New York Times crossword puzzle planted the seed for this trip. Last fall, my wife was finishing a Sunday puzzle on a plane flight. She asked me, “Where are the headwaters of the Missouri River?” I told her they are in Montana not far from where our daughter lives, three hours away to be precise. I am not even…
Fueled to paddle
During the Lewis and Clark expedition along the Missouri River, they hunted on a daily basis to provide meat for the hard-working men of the Corps of Discovery. I will not be hunting as I paddle down the Missouri this spring summer. The past few hundred years have changed our food sources significantly. Food selection and preparation is the most…
Fire by Tesla
I am going to be trying out the latest in lighters on this trip. Check out the plasma lighter.
My Eddyline Shasta
My boat is here. I have had the joy of working with Eddyline in the production of my new Shasta tandem touring kayak. My boat is custom built for solo paddling with all the additional hardware for tandem setup left off the boat to save weight. The quality of craftsmanship in the build is apparent and the detailed finish is…
60 %
60 percent of the human body is water. 71 percent of the earths surface is water. Water is more a part of us than anything else. It keeps our bodies alive. It helps feed and nourish our cells. As a child and young adult, rivers were an integral part of my life. When I was five we moved our first…