Overview

The Big Getter Voyage Map
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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.

Navigation Tips

Once you have selected a blog from the blog archive you will have to scroll down to view it.  ;)  

Blog Archive

Email from JL

From: “Johnny Lawless”
To: justusmclarty@yahoo.com


Hi Justus Great to hear from you. Been on a flat run since I got back. We have had 2 1/2 inches of rain since I got back and the weeds and grass are about to cover me up. Another week and the mosquitoes will be back.
Have all the stoves off the truck and now turning to catch up on other business. Wont be any spare time till probably after the first freeze.
I am still excited about my time spent with you and the "Big Getter". That was a trip I will never, ever forget. Some of the impressions I remember; First, sitting on the side of the road, late at night, with 90 miles to get to Minneapolis, in a somewhat dangerous traffic situation, with a blowout on the trailer. Being told by "U-Haul", "Well, you just have to spend the night at a motel tonight" When you told them, "We have tonight to get to Minneapolis, tomorrow to build a boat so we can make the target date of June 1st launch. So sorry U-haul, failure is not an option. You need to send your wrecker to pick up this empty wreck, we are done with it." At that point, I knew you are as hard headed as me and not much was going to be successful at standing in our way.
I had after us taking the framework apart and loading it all, then unloading and assembling the craft, it was a large raft in my mind. Then as soon as I boarded and started seeing the other boats and getting hammered by storms and navigating on the already swollen mighty Mississippi. I realized this "Big Getter" in this environment, is not so damn "Big". I saw rain like this ole west Texas dirt boy has never seen before. I remember at one point the line between the river and the rain disappeared and it just looked as though it was all solid water. I also remember several times, thinking, "Damn, this looks like a flood". Locals, friends and family kept calling and reporting the news of flooding, storms and wind, hail and tornadoes. Was not long into my trip, I had realized that you were very capable of handling the situation, and that if we were to be in a flood, that this "Big Getter" was a damn good place to be after all. But not all of my time was bad weather. It was also very beautiful some days. Again the "Big Getter" preformed flawlessly. Another impression was how fast a load of barges can turn around a corner. Ha! Don't have to explain that one, do I ? So, my friend. As history will show, The year you decided to do the Mississippi river turns out to be the "Flood of 08" and I know you have a very eventful trip left ahead of you. I hope that as well as you write, that maybe a book in the future. Be a good one for the "Library". One other reflection, I think they have different driving practices in Israel.
The time you were able to spend with your granddad and parents are of most importance. Although you have your own path or in this case river to run, embrace the times spent with them. Mine are now all left to memories and someday yours will be too.
Now, Make Mr. JB and Aaron take some time off to relax. I really, wish I were there to spend today with you guys. I am in spirit and mind. Have a good time and be careful.

-Johnny Lawless

PS: Also wanted to say, I am really impressed with the stability of the Big Getter. Has a solid footprint and never seemed to have the slightest problem with wind or waves. Great design

JL

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