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.
We awoke early, well, Carlton woke us up early. The coffee was hot in my mug and a great blue heron glided by us just as silent as the dawn. And it dawned on me that the eastern sky was still grayish pink. What time was it? I blew into my mug and pulled away the front cabin flap to see the clock. "Carlton, it's 5:30" I exclaimed. Amy twitched, still in her cocoon, "jesus" she muttered. I got the feeling that this was a normal occurrence at their house.
The cool morning faded quickly and we were sweating by early afternoon. A week ago Aaron said "I'm concerned for you in regard to the heat index as you go south." Me too. The river water's thick appearance kept me from hurling myself overboard so I just sweated.
3 comments:
Max jumped off the Evangeline, Justus, but it looked pretty thick. So it will be a while yet till you get to Quincy? Maybe see you then.
Bill Shaw
Justus, Our Way out West Road Trip passed through Hannibal a few years back. Here is a link to the old Blog Look for day 2.Cheers Tom and Cam - Falls Church http://tomhutch.blogspot.com/
Justus,
Still getting by at work on the memories of being on the Biggetter. So, thanks for helping Carlton and I have a wonderful vacation.
BTW, catch a bit of Jaws and Richard Dreyfuss here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxkkomhESH8
-Amy
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