Overview

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In the summer of 2008 I will be taking a pontoon houseboat down the Mississippi River from Minneapolis St. Paul to the Gulf of Mexico. It will be my home and vessel as I descend the mighty Mississip. This will be a healthy and relaxing trip, an adventure worth experiencing, and a good-livin-hell-of-a-time. For six years this trip has been living as a fantastical goal within me. I know the beginning is around the bend, and that makes me smile like I just lost my training wheels.

The boat is not traditional in many ways except for that it floats. It is a unique HPB (human powered boat) that in basic appearance looks like a hybrid between a cataraft on steroids and a traditional houseboat. There are four different systems of propulsion that can be operated individually or in conjunction with one another. Its primary form of power comes from two pedal-driven-propeller stations located at the stern on both sides of the boat. They resemble recumbent bicycles with a propeller instead of wheels. In addition, there is a set of oars for rowing on the front deck. The boat also has, for those occasions when the current is strong, sweeps that can be operated from the top of the cabin. Sweeps are long oars that resemble gigantic hockey sticks. They protrude fore and aft of the boat and are used for steering and lateral movement but not necessarily to gain downstream momentum. Lastly there is an outboard motor that can be used in emergencies, for safety and to make up lost time.

The 3-foot diameter inflatable pontoons are 22 feet long and are attached to a frame constructed from 2” Aluminum pipe. The frame also doubles as the skeletal structure, which supports a hanging floor, two side decks, a front deck and a cabin. Plywood that is cut to the right dimensions and fastened to the aluminum pipe forms the floor and decks. As for the cabin, it is waterproof nylon, canvas and mesh all sewn together and fitted around the aluminum pipe. Inside the cabin there are four berths, a living area, a kitchen and storage. Oh yeah there is a bathroom too, outfitted with all the amenities a camping king would expect.

From June through August I’ll weave approximately 1800 miles through 10 states to the ever-nearing Gulf Coast. Geographically speaking the Mississippi River is separated into two sections, the upper and lower, with the dividing point lying at the confluence with the Ohio River. Both section are as unique as they are long and will offer a river front glimpse at Middle America. One major difference of the Upper Mississippi is that it is a series of pools created by channel dams, while the lower half is free flowing. Due to this, the average current will be much faster downstream of the Ohio River. Along the way I will ‘lock through’ 27 locks, visit the homes of Mark Twain and Elvis, dodge barge traffic, and do some fishing and sunbathing. I intend to explore as much as possible, learn what I can and enjoy life to brim.

If you’d like to come, believe me, I want you to. In fact, I want as much company as possible. The cabin will sleep four, so I hope to have three others with me at all times. The invitation is open to everyone and anyone, family, friends, friends of friends, and especially to characters I meet along the way. There is an itinerary in the blog archive that will help you choose when, where and for how long you would like to join the adventure. Don't worry; I expect the trip will take me 100 days, so you'll have all summer to fit in a Mississippi get-a-way.

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Blog Archive

Day 28 - Lay Over Moline

Big Getter and Evangeline on the Radison docks in Moline

I rose early, just after the sun, and was still blinking and squinting the crusties out of my eyelids as a walked up to the Radison hotel. Both Bill and I had plugged our marine batteries into an outdoor socket behind their dumpster and I wanted to fetch them before a hotel employee discovered them. As I rounded the corner I saw that they weren't there. I was dismayed and confused in my still half-asleep conscience. No matter how hard I rubbed my eyes the batteries were still not there when I reopened them. Shit. I felt foolish for leaving them unattended and sheepishly headed for the front desk to see what I could find out. It wasn't going to be easy to explain why they were there in the first place. "Hey are you looking for two marine batteries?" a voice comes from behind me. It was the hotel engineer. "I am" I said, unsure of how much trouble I might be in I kept my answer real short. She ended up being nice about it but reminded me that steeling electricity is still steeling. I apologized and she showed me to the batteries. It wasn't right I know and next time I'll ask first.

Arsenal Island Museum

Yesterdays attempt to find the arsenal museum was fruitless and frustrating but last night I met a guy that confirmed that it does indeed exist and is well worth seeing. "Don't miss it" he said. I had to try again and felt confident that I would find it. Rhys and I biked over to the island and having the experienced we gained yesterday, we dismounted our bikes and walked them up to the guard station. He was just doing his job I know, but unfortunately he would not grant us access onto the base. I pleaded and told him that we were glad to leave our bikes and walk in. "You have to be on a motorized Vehicle" he said. "We can track down a car but individuals can hide, no bicyclist or pedestrians are permitted." Wow, 9-11 took an affect here. Not ready to give up, I explained how we had entered the island yesterday, but the guard wouldn't budge. Rhys and I turned our bikes around and with our tails hanging low, rode back over the bridge. What a disappointment. I don't know who is in charge over there but they sure do make it hard for folks to enjoy what they have to offer. If only I could find the man who had highly recommended the museum the previous day. I went looking for him at the auction and low and behold if I didn't run into him. "Oh, yeah. Ill drive you over there." We jumped in his car and off we went, in search of the museum for the third time. Ironically, when we passed the guard house he only asked the driver for his ID. Homeland security is much more of a presence than a solution. The driver's wife, Rhys and I sailed through and could have been donald duck for all the guard knew. We were dropped off at the museum, thanked our ride and enjoyed the exhibit. It is not to be missed. Both Rhys and I were wondering to ourselves how we would get off the island considering we were now 2-3 miles into it's heart. Knowing a little bit about how their system worked, I realized if we could only get noticed as pedestrians a cop would probably escorted us off. Oh no, don't through me in the briar patch. And that is just what happened. I never realized how much people stare when you are let out of the back of a police car. It didn't bother me though, considering we were 20 seconds from our boat.

The wind has now begun to howl up river. It looks like will be staying here another night.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

With your manuver to get off the island, you might have out Sawyered ol Tom

June 30, 2008 at 2:10 AM

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