Matt’s Mississippi Manifest

Another big day with Shootman. Today’s word: TURBULENT. But before we get to that… Don’t you love surprise endings? Leeches! Who saw that coming? Not me! As if on cue, Jamie had just asked in a comment what kind of critters I was expecting: I’ve expected snakes, mice, raccoons, maybe a bear… down south maybe…

The word for today is: VINCIBLE. No, wait: INVINCIBLE! We had some unfortunate setbacks, but in the end we came out on top. I felt kinda like that prehistoric possum character from Ice Age 2 who tells stories about how he dies… but then he lives! We got up around 6:30 this morning, but were…

Today’s word: COLOSSAL. 25 miles, 12 hours. 5.5 lake crossings. Mentally and physically draining. We planned to do 11 miles today, but we’re wanting to chip away at what was expected to be a colossal day on Wednesday, and we just kept chipping until the sun started getting low. A wide array of sights today,…

I told Dave today that I can’t write about paddling on water every day… 65 (or so) days of that will be boring for everyone. So, maybe if I add a theme or “word of the day” to each day that may force some variety. If yesterday’s word was VEGETATION, today’s word is: LUMBER. But…

When I started planning this journey, I intended to do it alone. But, I’m now excited to be sharing this epic adventures with some friends. To quote a tune from The Book of Mormon: “Every hero needs a sidekick, every captain needs a mate, every dinner needs a side dish on a slightly smaller plate”……

After scouting out our take out options when we return to Minneapolis, we hit the road for a 4 hour drive to Lake Itasca. It’s hard to believe a 4 hour drive will take a planned 16 days return voyage. After looking at the massive marsh with no discernible river in sight at Pine Point,…

Welcome to my Mississippi River blog! Here I will attempt to capture my experiences, insights and inspirations as I kayak 2,200 miles from Lake Itasca, MN to New Orleans, LA. I’ll try to share photos daily, and maybe some thematic tunes along with my words to attempt an entertaining inside look of my adventure. I…

Lecy and I loaded kayaks yesterday, had a few pints and games of cribbage at the Sturdy Shelter, dinner at the Sidecar Supper Club, then Christin and I said goodbye to Batavia this morning (after helping our neighbor rescue their cat from a tree). However… I need to share a little “truth stranger than fiction”…

I’m nearly ready for an epic journey! It’s not an original journey (seemingly dozens of adventurers make this personal-powered water trek every year), but I know my experiences will be 100% unique. I hope you’ll virtually join me and my motley co-pilots here as I capture 65 days of river travel. As I get ready…