Memphis, Tennesse

Posted on by mn.to.la

Sean and I arrived in Memphis last night.  We met a wonderful couple in the headwaters of the Mississippi that insisted that we call them when we arrive here.  We called them a couple nights ago and picked us up down by the river.  They treated us to a complete Memphis evening with authentic Bar-B-Q and blues music.  When planning this trip I knew that I wanted to stop in this historic city and now I have seen and experienced exactly what I wanted too.  We are going on a little sight-seeing tour this afternoon and then back on the river.  This trip has really opened my eyes to the hospitality of the American people. 

 

We are living the good life right now …

Pacific Challenge Travel Study

Posted on by mn.to.la

Sean and I went to New Zealand and Australia two and a half years ago for a travel study program through Winona State University.  This is where I really realized what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.  Exposing people to outdoor activities and the experiences that they encounter on trips like these, open their eyes to more options in life.  This program takes you on an adventure of a life time through some of the most beautiful places on Earth.  Here, you learn leadership through adventure activities and traveling to new places.  On our way down the river we will be stopping into some colleges and universities promoting Pacific Challenge.

 

If you are interested … check out the website and email for more questions.

 

website: http://www.pacificchallenge.org/

email: info@PacificChallenge.org

The random gifts

Posted on by mn.to.la

As we have paddled down the river we have met some very nice and hospitable people.  Many of them fishing, cruising or just enjoying their day off.  One thing that I have noticed about the river is that it really brings out the alcohol.  There has been many occasions where we have been paddling and stopped to talk to some boaters and they immediately ask us if we want a beer.  In most (when I say most, I mean every time) we graciously accept.  We have received everything from beer to whiskey to long island mix to mix drinks in plastic cups.  We have also been given some really random things: Oreo cookies, crackers, water, night crawlers.  The river really provides you with what you need and for the most part it brings people together.  This trip would never be the same without the people we meet.

 

So, Mississippi River boaters  …..  CHEERS AND THANK YOU!

 

IOWA!

Posted on by mn.to.la

Getting back on the river after a week off in Winona, MN felt great.  The only problem was the wind and rain.  We were paddling through this wonderful mist with 40 mph winds for four days.  This wouldn’t have been terrible if fall wasn’t rushing around the corner.  There has been some pretty cold nights but that gives us more and more motivation to paddle our little butts further down south.

 

We just pulled into Dubuque, IA last night.  Al Sazama’s girlfriend’s (Jenna Molle) parents live in Platteville, WI and we were lucky enough to grab a ride and spend the night.  They were more then wonderful and stuffed us with food and beer until we slowly crashed out.  This was a nice stop to recharge our batteries.  THANKS AGAIN MOLLE’S!!

Lake Itasca – Winona, MN

Posted on by mn.to.la

Well, we made it!  We made it to Winona, MN in 31 days.  This is quite a good feeling considering we attended and graduated from Winona State University the previous five years.  Once we passed through Lock and Dam #5a (right south of Fountain City, WI) I could see the Winona Bridge and I knew I was home.  I’ve paddled through most of the main channel and backwaters around this area for some time and for once on this trip, things started to look familiar.

 

We spent Saturday (17th) to Tuesday (27th) in the Winona, MN area.  In this time we mostly  relaxed and hung out with our beautiful girl friends.  We also attended Boats and Bluegrass on Prairie Island Campground.  This is a wonderful family oriented bluegrass festival that my friends Tom and Julie Fassbender put on.  I have been going and helping out for the past four years and have had a blast every year.  There is music, food, beer, camping and canoe/kayak trips all weekend.  What else can you ask for?  If you have never heard of it … look it up and GO NEXT YEAR!  Most of all this weekend there were many laughs, hugs and sleeping.  It was an amazing break.  Cheers Winona!

 

The trip has been a blast thus far.  We have met some interesting people and of course have seen some of the best sides of MN.  I absolutely love this state and the more and more I have traveled it, makes me love it even more.  There are many nooks and crannies that people need to discover about this place.  The paddle we have done has been on most familiar territory, now it is time to venture onto new place.

 

Until next time …

Invasive Species Update

Posted on by mn.to.la

As we have been paddling the Mississippi River through the MN section we have been looking for invasive plants for the MN Fish and Wildlife.  We have been looking out for wild parsnip, garlic mustard and japanese hops within the Upper Mississippi River Refuge.  Our journey has not yet brought us to any of these plants, which is not necessarily a bad thing.  Although, most of the plants we are looking for are starting to die out because of the oncoming of fall, data is still data.  We have been collecting data since the beginning of the refuge and will continue to throughout.  Lets hope these plants are few and far between.

 

(look at the first couple posts for information on all the plants.)