Matt’s Mississippi Manifest

Note: This is a pretty brief post from my first day off in Memphis, as not much has happened. Also of note, after planning with Christin and doing some recalculations, I’m now planning to finish in New Orleans on October 19. I don’t expect I can make 50 miles a day for 13 days, so…

Word for today: ODIFEROUS. I mean, I could’ve come up with something more victorious for my conquest to Memphis, but I gotta say that I stink. I’ve been washing in the river most every day this week, and trying to wash my clothes there as well. But there’s only so much you can do with…

Word for today: RETRIBUTION. After the beat down yesterday, I fought back today. Today the wind, currents and temperatures weren’t much better, but I was better. With a better mental attitude I was again able to reel off 50 miles. That now puts me 50 miles from Memphis, which is my target tomorrow.  Today’s word…

Today’s word: CAPRICIOUS (Look at that DJ, I got that word in here, and it’s appropriate!) This river is a fickle beast. That gift of additional flow from the Ohio is sporadic, and seems to let me down when I’m most beat down. And with wind and 88 degrees of full afternoon sun, beat down…

Firstly, mobile phone coverage is near an all time worst. Compounding that, the WordPress app is frozen; I’ll need to reinstall but can’t see myself trying that until I see some Wi-Fi. I’m forced to the browser approach which is unreliable and s l o w. And, there’s no way I can expect to load…

Appropriate word for today: DEPLORABLE. Well, the whole day wasn’t really dreadful, but it was a bit of a rude and memorable start. I didn’t sleep very well last night, first with the tugboat parked across the water, then I was hearing various animals scuffling around outside. Then just before sunrise came my wake up…

Obvious word for today: SOLITUDE. Today starts the solo journey for the final miles, 910 of them. Gulp. Another Mark Twain quote here: “The worst kind of loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself.” I’m pretty comfortable with myself, no masked insecurities here, and I’m feeling pretty confident about finishing this thing. I expect…

I wanted to let you all know, I’m currently camping on Island 28, 14 river miles north of the Ohio River confluence at Cairo, Illinois. Mobile phone service is again relatively non-existent, so it’s going to be tough getting photos (and certainly video) to load. I’m still 2 days behind on the blog, though I…

Word for the day: RELAXATION. The most effort exerted today was in lifting the kayaks on top of the car. For today was nearly a pure float 6 miles down to the Gateway Arch, then we took everything out of the water for Mudd’s journey home, and another 100 mile hyperspace jump for me. When…

Word for today: REJUVENATION. Mudd and I had some tough days together; I think it was harder than we figured it would be. And today was no cake walk, but somehow knowing it was our last big day together caused a triumphant experience that we won’t soon forget. Another on of those days with impossibly…