Matt’s Mississippi Manifest

Todays word: EDUCATIONAL. I suppose I could’ve come up with some other words appropriate for the day; just get to the end of this post and hopefully some of you will learn something. We had visions of a hearty breakfast in Grafton before we took to the water, but it seemed every restaurant was operating…

Word for today: VARIATION. The happenings today were a bit out of the ordinary as we paddled to Grafton Illinois, meeting Christin again and getting a hotel stay that would be an upgrade from a bed of rocks on a rural walkway. Some of the day was the ordinary moving down the River experience, but…

Word for the day: UNFALTERING. After a disappointing amount of mileage yesterday, we needed to see what we could do. So we set out at first light and made steady progress. I awoke around 5:15 in complete darkness. There was only the light of a barge tow a mile or so downriver that was parked…

Note: There was a statement in yesterday’s post that was insensitive; this occurred 11 years ago, well before a more recent event that made this statement very offensive. I didn’t make the connection but should have; I’ve edited yesterday’s post and I’m sorry if anyone was upset with my oversight. Thanks. Word for today: PARADOXICAL.…

Note: For now, I’m skipping posts from the weekend in Hannibal. I’m trying to get back to near real-time on the water. So I’m jumping to day 38, though as I post this I’m on day 40 at lock & dam #25; only 2 days behind. Like that confounded day 7, I’ll get back to…

Note: This post is long overdue, but I wanted to fill in this blank before offering a final epilogue. Though covering 2 days, it’s relatively brief; I expect the epilogue will be a little lengthy. Words for days 36 and 37: CAMARADERIE and RESTLESSNESS. Days 36 & 37 were spent in and around Monroe City,…

Word for today: DISEMBARKING. I know I’ve had a few days off, but this time I take time off in Hannibal, Mark Twain’s hometown. Yes, I was in Hannibal less that a week ago with Christin to drop off ‘Ol Yeller, but this is the visit from my original plan. However, because I skipped too…

The word for today: COMMONPLACE. Today was beautiful, relaxing, and practically boring. Maybe this is more like I expected the days would be, though I hoped for more exciting days to come. This would likely be my last night alone since I shortened my length from LeClare and put in more miles than planned each…

Today’s word: AUTONOMOUS. I know I was on my own yesterday, but somehow it all felt sort of odd, not ordinary. Seeing Jennifer in the morning, being cloaked in the fog, the miserable conditions of the Warsaw park and contrast with the new and old friends that closed the day… this was not the “alone…

Today’s word: VOLUMINOUS. I don’t know how long it takes to read a typical blog. For this one, find your comfy chair and top off your coffee; I don’t think this one is a regular read. Today was my first day alone on the water, and it did not disappoint. Though I only planned for…