The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 3,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 5 years to get that many views.
What if ALL Missouri River communities were so motivated? Wow! Impressive!
And, it was bitter cold yesterday…
“The fact that 16 volunteers made it to the clean-up with less than 36 hours notice on a holiday weekend is testimony to the commitment and enthusiasm these people have for the river. ”
For full story click HERE
…Woke up midnight last night and imagined Brower’s Spring with perfect spring corn snow skiing conditions in April, which is when we used to ski peaks on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mts in the 80’s. I broke out into a huge smile. Then, repeating over and over, “pray, believe…pray, believe…”, I drifted back to sleep.
I will be starting at the source. That’s it. No more wavering.
My stickers are in the mail. I modified them by changing the color to blue, from black, and the miles to 2600, from 2300.
Met with Jim Karpowicz today and we are on the move to create a promo video in order to generate some wide-reaching support and, hopefully, funding. It’s going to be great!
If you haven’t already, please “like” my loveyourbigmuddy Facebook page. I can post little updates there with a bit more spontaneity.
Happy New Year!
Live fast ~ Paddle slow
Starting at the source of the Missouri River will entail getting to Brower’s Spring, which is at the top of Hell Roaring Canyon. From the bottom of the canyon (left-center) the hike is seven miles in and seven out, over SNOW in April. If Sawtelle Peak access road is plowed (doubtful) in April (right), the ski over is only a couple of miles along the Continental Divide, then down the canyon. I see ski-mountaineering revisiting my life this spring. Breaking out the 3-pin bindings!
live fast ~ paddle slow
My Daughter, Haley, helped me with a sticker design today. I ordered 100 of them. Let me know what you think. Would you like one? Should I make more? How about a different design? I would like to use these for a tiered giving donation reward. Learning as I go…
live fast ~ paddle slow
Canadian paddler Rod Wellington passed through Cooper’s Landing last Monday and Tuesday, Dec 17-18. He is paddling from the source of the Missouri River at Brower’s Spring, MT, to the Gulf of Mexico, all self-propelled. This is the longest river system in North America, and fourth longest in the world. Rod will be the first Canadian to paddle the MO from source to sea. Australian paddler Mark Kalch completed the route earlier this year.
Altogether, Rod will paddle seven of the longest rivers on seven different continents. The Missouri River is his first. He has been on the river since June, a total of six months. His river systems project could take up to 15 years.
After a pot luck dinner and visiting with many interested locals, he graciously sat with me and poured over photos and a map from the Brower’s Spring area, the Missouri River source, to Three Forks, the headwaters of the MO Riv, a 298 miles stretch and one in which I am debating whether to include on my trip.
No firm decisions yet as there are a few dicey stretches, like hiking/skiing/snowshoeing over snow for seven miles into Brower’s Spring, and seven miles out. And, a few days of dodging and portaging around farmers’ barbed wire/electrical/corrugated panel fences which cross a mere 20′ wide water way below the Lima Reservoir on the Red Rock River. Not to mention that the Red Rock Lakes Wildlife Refuge, located above the Lima Reservoir, is closed in April.
At least now I have a greater understanding of what my obstacles and options are. I have an unrelenting desire to capture some of that 298-mile stretch for its sheer beauty. Some of it may have to be biked. Thanks, Rod, for spending that time with me.
Understandably, Rod needed to leave Cooper’s Landing and continue
paddling towards the Gulf of Mexico. However, our first major storm
of the season hit yesterday, the day after he left. Winds gusted to 50 or 60 mph, and snow was blizzard-like. One caring and supportive local, Jonathan Lauten, set out to find Rod and make sure he was okay. He found him across the river below Jefferson City, but was not able to make contact. We learned that Rod was hunkered down in his tent, warm and dry.
Jonathan’s comment from Facebook:
I found him, but I couldn’t get to him!
This pic was taken from a bluff across the river 4:00 12/20/12.
Of course, it was hard to pick him out amongst all those other campers on the Missouri River in a blizzard with 50 mph winds…
Here is a post from Rod yesterday morning, much to our relief:
Dec. 20, 10am – Currently hunkered down in my tent on a sandbar near Jefferson City, Missouri. Outside: blowing snow, sustained winds of 35-40 mph with gusts of 50 mph or more. Unable to keep tent and tent fly anchored. I’ve arranged heaviest gear on windy side of tent to act as a buffer. I’m warm and dry. No paddling today. Expected low tonight: 5F with windchill. Thanks to Steve Schnarr, Gary Leabman, Robin Kalthoff and Jessica Giard for checking on me via phone. Still smiling!
Great meeting Rod and spending some time together. I think I speak for lots of other folks who met him as well.
You can read posts and watch videos from his trip thus far, and track his current progress on his FB page: “Rod Wellington.”
Happy paddling!
I applied to be a SPOT ambassador some time ago and received a response yesterday, December 19. They have offered a pretty sweet deal, I think.
Thank you, Liana, for not blowing me off. You are my first “big company” sponsorship (if a promo deal can be considered a sponsorship). I look forward to carrying your product on board.
Here is the message I received. Just need to fill out the paperwork. YES!
Hello Janet –
Thank you for completing the SPOT Brand Ambassador Form. We have thoroughly reviewed your request and responded to you as promptly as possible. We feel you are offering a unique opportunity to showcase SPOT. Therefore, we are offering you an exclusive SPOT offer. Attached please find a form which will allow you to purchase a SPOT, plus one year of basic service and tracking for $99 (typically a $250 value).
Once your form is completed, you will need to send it to Tom Babb via fax at 985.335.1790 or email to Thomas.Babb@FindMeSPOT.com.
Liana Narcisse
Marketing Coordinator
Check out The COPPERMINE EXPEDITION 2012. I can see a ton of parallels to my vision, which is on a smaller scale but same big idea:
Statement of Objectives
The proposed expedition will take six participants from Yellowknife, N.W.T. to Kugluktuk, NU, by canoe and develop educational materials to bring the journey to Canadian classrooms. In pursuing this opportunity, expedition members wish to further develop their careers as educators in combination with a passion for outdoor and experiential education. In doing so, we hope to be able to contribute in a positive manner to the understanding and appreciation of Canadian history and geography through various forms of media. Our objective is to expand the geographic appreciation, and knowledge of this remote region of the Canadian wilderness, encouraging thoughtful debate and discussion on both environmental and
economic themes.
In support of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s mandate to make Canada better known to Canadians and to the world, while on the expedition, we will be creating a series of interactive lesson plans for classrooms. We will be submitting these to the Canadian Council for Geographic Education, and upon completion of the trip, these lesson plans will be made available through this website. Students and teachers will be able to explore the route and find a range of materials appropriate to their grade level.
From Canoe and Kayak Magazine:
Why is it important that young Canadians learn about this part of their country?
Stef Superina: Canada’s north, its rich history and diverse geography, are all too commonly skipped in our history textbooks. As a country that derives much of its wealth from natural resources, the Canadian north will play an important role in our country’s growth. Engaging our youth in discussion on economic and environmental themes is integral to the sustainable development of our country’s resource base, as they will ultimately become the decision makers of the future.
I think I said somewhere: The Missouri River, its rich history and diverse geography, is all too commonly skipped in our history textbooks. Well, maybe not those exact words, but in similar concept.
How cool it would be to have support from a geographical society!? But then, I’d need a crew. Then, it would no longer be a solo trek. Then, it would be an occupation, and I’d never make it to the classroom with the children. Being in the classroom with the children is important, too. I will just have to make do with less support, and more creativity, resourcefulness, and energy. And, perhaps, a Coppermine will help. (…and a really good camera!)
My daughter, Haley Rose, came with me to St. Louis yesterday to pick up my Shasta kayak that I bought from Australian Bob Wellington in September. Bob paddled from Three Forks, Montana, to St. Louis last summer in 89 days. Following the principle of “reuse,” I bought his boat and gear as he had no desire to ship it all back to Australia. It was a win-win deal (right, Bob? :)).
Michael Clark of Big Muddy Adventures was nice enough to store the boat for me over the fall semester while I finished my degree. After some great conversation about interactive teaching from the river, which is what Michael does with Skype, writing curriculum, and redirecting at-risk youth towards the River, among other cool things, we threw all the gear in the back of the van and tied the Barbara May on to the top. Haley snapped a photo of me and Michael and the Barbara May.
We stopped and visited with my niece, Rene Freels, and her funny husband, Kyle, and son, Sam, and had a wonderful lunch and good time laughing and talking about the expedition. We talked about the Kickstarter program (Rene was the first to suggest Kickstarter to me), making T-shirts, social media, sponsorship, donation gift ideas like stickers, signed photos, bumper stickers, boat rides, etc. etc. Promoting myself does not come naturally. I welcome any suggestions. Oh, and we talked about bears.
Although I like the name Barbara May, and I am confident that Bob’s wife is a very sweet woman, I HAVE to rechristen the boat with a new name. Yes, some people say a boat’s name should bear some special significance to the owner. Frankly, I have not found warm and fuzzy in a name yet. “Easy Rider” is my race name in the Race to the Dome paddling race. I like that name, but mostly for the theme song that goes with it. You remember the Ballad of Easy Rider by the Byrds, right? Give a listen:
Haley and I tossed around some names on the ride home from STL but came up virtually empty-handed. Here are the names we have thus far: Easy Rider, Rio Oso (river bear, my dog’s name), and Blue Moon. I’d like to have Pepper in the name somewhere, but can’t get anything to flow.
Pepper was my cat, also my very best friend, who went missing on the 4th of July, 2011, one week after moving into my new home. Still not over it.
So, I am looking for suggestions as to what to name my boat. Please comment on my blog, or go to my Facebook Page: LoveYourBigMuddy Expedition, “like” the page, if you have not already, and throw out some suggestions for me. You never know what might strike the harmonious chord.
Live fast ~ Paddle slow
So very much to do, but I am loving it. Having time off this month to focus on planning and preparation is becoming more and more important. My days are full.
Progress updates include the following:
My daughter, Haley, and I are going to pick up my Shasta kayak tomorrow, December 16. The boat and all the gear that came with the deal (thanks again, Bob!) is being stored at Michael Clark’s Big Muddy Adventures headquarters in St. Louis. Merry Christmas to me (payment day is so far removed in the past that they will seem like gifts :))! Thanks again Michael for storing the boat for me.
Also, Haley confirmed with me yesterday that she will help with my shuttle. She will accompany me to Montana, and hang out with me until I get started. Then, drive my car back home.
(The bandage on my hand was from last year this time. I had carpal tunnel surgery on both my hands. They are great now.) We’ll definitely stay at Norm Miller’s Base Camp International in Livingston, MT, while I try and assess whether a source start is feasible. This road trip will be the first time we have been out of the state together, or on any type of significant trip, ever. I cannot wait!
Rod Wellington, who will be paddling through Cooper’s Landing this Monday and Tuesday, will help me get a better idea of what the 300 mile stretch from Brower’s Spring to Three Forks is like. He is encouraging me to start at the source: “Janet, I wholly encourage you to start at the source. The 298 river miles above Three Forks was my favourite part of the river. it cannot be topped. ” I have wanted to start at the source since I decided to do this trip. However, April will offer up additional challenges.
Brower’s Spring drainage heads off to the upper right of this photo (by Norm Miller). This photo was taken in June. I will have to start in mid-April. Not sure if it will be possible, despite my ski-mountaineering background. Hell Roaring Creek below heads downhill from the spring and, obviously, will not be a paddling stretch. Seven miles hiking in and seven out. Something to seriously consider.
I added a Pay Pal button on this blog (Make a Donation Page). Financial support is not the only “support” I need, but it is an important one. Haley and I met with Tina Casagrand yesterday to discuss Kickstarter, an online video fundraising program. She shared a lot of valuable information with us in this regard. I have asked Jim Karpowicz, friend, river rat, founder of Missouri River Relief, and creative documentary filmmaker, if he can help me produce a video. He is willing to help so I hope to meet with him to discuss further.
I also met with the co-founder of Missouri River Relief, Charlotte Overby, who is now River Coordinator at Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF), and beloved by our entire river rat community. CLF works with and supports groups and non-profits who advocate for wilderness lands managed by Bureau of Land Management (condensed explanation). CLF supports Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument. We are floating ideas around.
I created a Facebook Page, LoveYourBigMuddy Expedition, so please “like” it. Part of expedition planning is sponsorship proposals. Companies like to see lots of exposure potential in their sponsorees. Social media is a big component of the total experience. Being as this is my first endeavor, it is likely sponsorship will be light, if not none. But, one never knows for sure, right? If you are reading this and have not yet “liked” my FB page, I implore you to do so.
Rod Wellington is due to arrive at Cooper’s Landing Monday and stay over a couple of nights. He started at the source in June, and is paddling to the Gulf of Mexico. He is paddling the seven longest rivers in seven continents, all self-powered.
We will take good care of Rod at Cooper’s, as we do all of the river folk paddling through. He can stay for free, take a shower, do his laundry, drink beer, play games, eat a home-cooked meal, run into town, and watch wide-screen surround sound sports/TV/movies. Monday night is game night at Cooper’s. Yes, like games: SkipBo, Monopoly, Cribbage, darts, etc. May be a bit of culture shock. Although, he’ll be hanging out with river folk family. We’ll warm him up before sending him back out on the river. Robin and Connie Kalthoff in Waverly set a high bar for taking care of paddlers. They are about 3 or 4 days upriver, and one of the stops for paddlers on the way; a hard act to follow. Here they are just yesterday, Friday.
Rod and I will be discussing the 300 miles between the source and Three Forks quite a bit.
You can visit his website at ZeroEmissionsExpedition
Zero Emissions Expeditions passionately promotes the practice of low impact, long distance, self-powered exploration.
Oh, one other thing happened last week. I spoke with my Social Studies methods professor when he was writing up a teaching letter of recommendation for me. I directed him to the MizzouWire story, which had just posted a couple days earlier. Then I brought him to my blog site, and he loved all of it, especially the book, “Our Mississippi.” He asked me to contact him after break and said he would help me with a book. We’ll see. I love it when things just fall into place.
Thanks for listening. -Janet
loveyourbigmuddy expeditions 