#2300milesdownstream

I know I should be back in College right now but... ; ]

Got mahself a catfish!

Solo canoe life on the lower Mississippi! 400 miles to New Orleans.

Spent the Weekend in Memphis with my friend Michael who I met in South America and traveled with through Bolivia, Chile and Peru 2 years ago, and drove 5 hours from Arkansas to come meet up with me. 3 years ago Michael did a paddling trip of his own, starting in his hometown in Pennsylvania and paddling down the Ohio River to the Mississippi and then to New Orleans raising money for Parkinson's disease from which his grandfather had passed away from. His grandfather had always talked to him about paddling down the river to the ocean; so after he passed, Michael made and modified his own boat and set off on 3 month expedition, which he had told me about a few years ago when we met. It is amazing how life ties peoples experiences, dreams and stories together into something ever more meaningful if we choose to embrace them.

A few days ago Erik and I came across this barge with a small forest growing on it.. Mother Nature is capable of some amazing things.

Just reached New Madrid after 4 days without seeing a town! Ended up meeting Erik in Cape Girardeau, a guy going through a mid life crisis and decided to spontaneously buy a kayak and paddle with me 250 miles down to Memphis. We paddled to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers (the Ohio the bigger river) and have already had some pretty epic adventures and convos together. Life has continued to be full of unexpected and rewarding experiences! I feel so fortunate to be here : ] Much love to all my friends, family, peeps, and people I have met along the way who have enriched my life and journeys through it, simply by reaching out and being who they are.

Bought this melon at a local farmer's market in Chester, Illinois, from a kindly old man and his grandson. Cracked it open out in the river 5 miles north of Cape Girardeau.. Easily the best I've ever eaten : ]