Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Joe, the paddler...
Joe got back to Pierre around 8 last night. Joe, Kelly and Tina from RC, and myself were camping in Griffin Park last night. We had numerous paddlers stop by to visit with Joe and show him the hospitality of Pierre paddlers, including, John Adler, Chuck Kevghas, Dave Pfahler, Gary and Lenise Haag. We got up between 4 AM and 5 AM today to tear down our tents, etc. John came shortly thereafter and we shuttled my pickup and Kelly's Explorer down to DeGrey. The water was beautiful early this morning. Glasslike doesn't begin to describe it! Before we launched a Pierre local stopped to visit. He apparently is a standup paddler and formerly worked as a kayak guide for Dakota Adventures (aka Steamboat). We had the Haags paddling their 12' Pungos, Kelly and Tina paddling an 18' kevlar canoe, John paddling his Temptest, I was paddling my Carolina, and, of course, Joe paddling his CD Storm. The Haags turned back after maybe 4 or 5 miles; I honestly can't remember when exactly they turned around.
Group Photo! L to R: Tina, Kelly, Lenise, Joe, Pat, John, Gary.
Joe.
Tina and Kelly.
Joe.
Joe.
On to St Louis! Joe has friends down there planning a party for him when he passes through.
Sadly, I am only going back to Pierre. I would love to do a long journey someday.
A great paddle. We covered 23.5 miles and faced a headwind most of the way after about 10 or 11 AM. I would like to thank Joe for allowing us to paddle with him and I hope we didn't slow him down too much. He seemed to enjoy the company; I suspect we left a last impression upon him as he did to us. More pictures can be seen at my picasa album.
I also need to mention that we have an open invite to come to the Black Hills to go creekboating with Kelly. For any interested, we might be able to arrange something... maybe a SDCA and Black Hills Paddlers coop event. I hope everyone continues to follow Joe's journey to the Gulf of Mexico; I know I will. Hopefully, the pictures of Joe creek boating with Kelly and Tina surface on Joe's blog this week. I also recommend those in the Vermillion and Yankton areas to try to meet with Joe when he paddles through. His cell and sattelite phone numbers are on his website. And a video clip of Joe, Tina, and Kelly...
...much better than Joe, the plumber isn't he?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
More on Joe Forrester (PaddlingforParkinsons.com)
Joe is spending tonight at the Oahe Downstream Campground #2. John and his wife, Cathy, met Joe and I at Mad Mary's Steakhouse for supper. We listened to Joe talk about his trip so far. We talked a little about our own paddling and what he (Joe) can expect downstream. Sounds like Joe will be meeting Kelly and John at the causeway at 11 AM tomorrow. I believe that John is going to watch over Joe's boat, etc., while Kelly takes Joe out to the Black Hills. Joe should be back in Pierre Friday evening. I think he will be camping in Griffin Park Friday night. I think John and I are planning on paddling along with Joe for a bit as he departs Pierre.
Again, Joe's website/blog is http://www.paddlingforparkinsons.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Paddling for Parkinsons
John and I just got back from driving up to Pike Haven on Lake Oahe. We went up and met with Joe Forrester, a med student from the U of Virginia, that is paddling from the Missouri River headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico. Joe is paddling to raise money for Parkinsons disease. John is going to help him portage the Oahe Dam tomorrow and it sounds like Joe is going to stick around the area until Saturday. I think some folks from the Black Hills Paddling Club are going to show him around the Hills Thursday and/or Friday. John and I are planning on paddling with him a bit as he departs on Saturday; I think some folks from the Black Hills are planning on doing the same.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Canoe Night as a precursor to Canada Day!
Last night, the Boy Scout troop I volunteer with took the troop's canoes out to goof around on the water. There also were a couple of kayaks. my Carolina and another adult's boat. Not much to say. A slideshow of pictures:
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