Again, I would like to thank Eddyline Kayaks-Swift Paddles, SPOT and Patagonia for their in-kind donations to LoveYourBigMuddy Expedition. And, thanks to Black Truck Pictures and Jim Karpowicz for producing the promo video for my GoFundMe page.
I have not yet had a chance to write about the companies who have recently begun sponsoring my expedition. I will admit that I began to give up on some of the larger companies because they were not responding to my emails. Companies such as Cascade Designs regarding MSR & Thermarest, Kokatat, PowerFilms, Garmin, and GoPro, to name a few.
Patience is a must as I realize they have hundreds of requests just like mine. So, I nudge them, but try not to annoy. Kokatat, however, has recently brought me on board with sponsorship. Kokatat is important to me not only because of their high quality gear, but because their home base is in Arcata, a small town on the north coast of California, and home to the first college I attended fresh out of high school (yes, that would be in 1974).
In the meantime, I determined to stop by and speak to the owners and/or managers of our local outdoor sports businesses to see if they would share in the wisdom that my proposal for support is a win-win deal for both of us.
I am happy to announce that all of our home-town businesses have come on board with in-kind donations, although I have not yet met with Alpine Shop. We have an appointment to meet next week.
Having support from local businesses is important to me. We should all be supporting each other at the grass-roots level.
Carl Kimbel of Klunk Bicycles, and his assistant Josh, is constructing a used road (on & off) bike for me to use in the event I will be riding alongside frozen waterways, which is anticipated. From the Tribune article (click on photo above), Kimbel said the shop’s main appeal is its selection of used bikes. “We bring old bikes back to life,” he said.
I am very grateful for Carl’s bike (loan) donation, and I love his “grass-roots” business.
So, three cheers to Walt’s
CycleXtreme
Tryathletics
and Klunk Bicycles !!!
Kokatat, premier technical paddling apparel and accessories, is offering me their sponsorship deal of 30% off wholesale. I have been waiting “patiently” for their response as I really wanted their gear for my trip. I will purchase, using my grassroots sponsorship donations (thank you all!), dry suit bibs with socks, a paddling jacket-shirt-pants-shorts, neoprene mitts and gloves and shoes. Oh, and a personal flotation device (PFD). My paddling clothing supply should be complete, except for some knee high neoprene boots, ideal for hopping out in swift water sharp turns obstructed by barbed-wire or sheet metal fencing. That is, only if this section on The Red Rock River is not frozen over.
(Photo courtesy of Rod Wellington at http://www.zeroemissionsexpeditions.com/
I am now looking at acquiring essentials such as a tent (MSR 2P Hubba Hubba), down sleeping bag, stove, Thermarest pad, GPS device, roll-up solar charger, TEVA sandals, and a GoPro camera.
And, for documenting my trip in preparation for books and video documentary publishing, I have one significant wish-list item: a MacBookPro laptop.
Patience is a virtue.
gorgeous sunset on Oahe Lake.
Hey, is that sunset included? I’ll take two, please!
If you would like to donate to my expedition, please visit my Donations Opportunities page on this blog, or my GoFundMe page online at
LoveYourBigMuddyExpedition 4 Education
Your support is sincerely and greatly appreciated.
Live fast ~ Paddle slow
See you on the river.
Love your Big Muddy!
loveyourbigmuddy expeditions 
Janet, I totally agree about supporting grass-roots, locally-owned businesses, and that’s where your Sea to Summit dry bag came from…Nat’s. I believe I sent a sticker, too, in the event you want to use it. 🙂 So glad that you are getting some of the inkind donations and sponsorships that you need for your expedtion. Plan on!!! It’ll all come together!