Day 14 (putting it all back together) 12/20/2009
First of all, thank you everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support that you’ve provided over the last two days. I fear I just don’t have time to thank each and every one of you personally so please understand that I appreciate everything that everyone has done for me. I couldn’t do it without you. With all the support you’ve given this whole episode is quickly turning into a bump in the road and learning experience that will make the rest of the trip safer and run all the more smoothly.  Christmas tree near the New Madrid observation deck ---- On report of my day yesterday, Day 14 ---- The day was spent trying to put myself and this trip back on track. The town of New Madrid (largely through the efforts of Cheryl and David White) has rallied to help me get re-equipped and back on the water.  Me with David at his Main Street Market Cheryl is a remarkable woman who seems to have the power to move mountains with a simple call from her cell phone. When I discovered the theft Friday night David’s phone number was the only I had, due to the fact that he had just given me his business card when I visited his store for supplies. In shock, and not sure what to do, I called David and explained my situation. While on the phone with David I could hear Cheryl in the background calling the police on her cell. Not 911, not the station phone number, rather their direct personal cell phone numbers... Cheryl is a good person to know. After years of working as a school teacher, and now by running a string of community health clinics in the area, as well as coordinating charitable organizations, Cheryl is connected. You might say she has her finger on the pulse of the town, I believe she is the source of the pulse of the town. It is in one of her (free to the community, funded by grants) health clubs that I am now catching up on my e-mails and blog posts. It is also here that I stayed Friday night after all the excitement, and where I’m keeping my boat and gear. One more call from Cheryl landed me a driver named JJ (I don’t know his full name, I’m not sure he has one). JJ was scheduled to arrive at 8:00 AM with a company (health clinic) van to drive me down to Memphis to track down the gear I need. After only two hours of sleep, I woke to sideways sleet and rain outside and a few moments later, right on schedule, JJ arrived. JJ is an interesting gentleman. About 5’-9” lanky, dark hair, scruffy goatee, high strung, completely likeable, and a little on the talkative side. Actually the only time I needed to speak was when he paused long enough to light a cigarette. JJ is the sort that knows everybody in town and, by his stories, seems to have done enough living in his 39 years to fill the lives of two men. He worked for a long time in the restaurant industry cooking and managing different establishments, then moved into the insurance billing field, and now into (self taught) computer technician duties. As much as I could ascertain, JJ seems now to be working for a few different people simultaneously, for his aunt’s catering business as a cook, Cheryl as a computer technician, and yesterday as my personal driver.  JJ My driver for the day I had JJ for the day as his only stipulation was to be back in time for his weekly Saturday night poker game, which kicks off around 9:00 PM. JJ’s main hobby seems to revolve around gambling, either on the many Casino boats along the river or card games at friend’s homes. While we weaved around 18 wheelers on the interstate, and between puffs on his cigarette, JJ provided me with a running commentary about the local industry, punctuated by the location of every river town that has a casino boat. I learned that the local economy is buoyed up mostly by farming (cotton, beans, and rice) as well as a large aluminum plant and power plant right outside of town. The river, the original source of the towns existence, growth, and prosperity, (now hidden on the back side of the levee) seems to have moved out of the average person’s consciousness. It’s twists and turns, boils, floods, and temperament a thing of low lying fear. The big muddy river that once went to New Madrid now just goes by.  New Madrid from the levy On the way to Memphis I called Elmore Holmes a gentleman that lives there and does a lot of paddling on the Mississippi all year. I found his web site last summer while I was putting together my plans for this trip and I have been harassing poor Elmore for information about the river ever since. Elmore suggested I check out Outdoors Inc. the local outdoor gear supplier to track down the gear I needed. After a quick car tour through downtown (did you know Memphis has street cars?) we found the store and worked with a knowledgeable kid named Brandon (younger than me anyway) to find all the gear I needed. One very important piece of my new kit came by way of a suggestion from Mike Boren at Aqua Adventures. It’s a wire mesh expandable and lockable bag that is designed to go around a backpacking pack then lock to a pole or tree. Mike suggested that when I get to a town I simply place my things in the duffel bags I already carry then secure those within one of these wire mesh cages. Mike is lucky he wasn’t right here because I my have kissed him full on the lips. That is the solution!  The pack lock in action After a bit more running around JJ and I doubled back to Elmore’s house so I could finally meet the man I’ve been e-mailing for months, and to borrow a PFD that I could use until a replacement comes in from out west. Elmore and his wife are great (I’m so sorry but I forgot her name). Both are artists in their trade, she does paintings and tile prints and he wood working when he’s not in his boat. We were greeted at the door by their four and a half foot tall Great Dane named Merlin (who doesn‘t like hats by the way). With not much time to visit Elmore filled me in on what he knew of the river in his area and we laid plans to hook up on the river as I passed through if the timing works out. Next we were back on the highway with a brief stop at a truck stop for dinner on our way back to New Madrid. While I listened to JJ talk I struggled to keep up with my half of the conversation while I watched tail lights blur and the effects of too little sleep the night before worked me over. Once back in town we met up with David White who had a box for me that contained a replacement sleeping bag and jacket from North Face that my friend Haley had on its way within minutes of my desperate call Friday night. David escorted me to an apartment on main street where it was another call from Cheryl that put me in the spare bedroom of Gary Harris to stay until I can move on. Gary is the town’s one and only dentist who actually lives about five hours away and keeps the apartment here. In this very poor community it’s Cheryl and her clinic that have convinced Gary to travel so far from his family to provide one of the services this town needs. Gary took it upon himself to go out and round up breakfast food so I would feel at home. Upon his return we chatted for a bit as I totally lost the fight to fatigue and finally turned in for the night. --------- ----------- On the technical side - All things considered the trip is coming back together very quickly. Which is good because winter is still nipping at my heals and I need to get south. My mom is sending down a box from Wisconsin containing my backpacking tent, spray skirt, and paddling jacket that will enable me to resume the trip. The paddling jacket a Kokatat TecTour is what I had planned on using once the ice-water winter leg of this trip was over. I’m making the carefully calculated decision to forgo a replacement dry suit and just switch over to the Tec Tour and paddling pants a bit sooner than planned. The tent will be a bit of a squeeze on the cold nights that still lie ahead but it will work in the short term until a replacement can be sent ahead of me from North Face. I must say that of all the assistance that I’ve gotten with gear (after Aqua Adventures) Haley and North Face have gone above and beyond whle helping me out. The skirt is a full neoprene Snap Dragon which is replacing the “Glacier Breathable” tube version I’d been using up to this point. With the long hours in the cockpit (day after day) a breathable tunnel is important to allow the wicking layers I’m wearing to move moisture away from my body. I’m going to go with the neoprene tunnel and look for a replacement if I have any trouble with discomfort along the way. With holiday shipping volume things may be slow to come but if all goes well I should be back on the water by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. CommentsLynn 12/20/2009 2:42:58 pm Lost the fight to fatigue...I am amazed you were able to sit straight and keep track as to what was going on....exhaustion is your new Angel...glad things are working out...hugs to you! Mike had a grand idea about the mesh lock net..YAHOO!!! 12/20/2009 8:03:59 pm Hi Jake, Fred Mansueto 12/20/2009 10:18:22 pm Hello Jake: Caitlyn Maday 12/21/2009 8:13:25 am Dear,Jake ony 12/21/2009 8:22:38 am I'm glad you found who ever stold from you and I hope you have a merry Christmas. des 12/21/2009 9:40:05 am Hi, David an Cheryl Tanner from River Crossing Environmental Charter School 12/21/2009 10:00:56 am Hey Jake, sorry to hear about all your stuff getting stolen. In class we have been following your blog, and where you are on the map. I hope your trip gets going a bit better! Rachel K. 12/21/2009 10:02:10 am Jake From River Crossing 12/21/2009 10:02:37 am I'm really sorry for that to happen on your trip!!! You were doing so well!!! Hope everything goes through!!! Have Fun! clayton roberts (River Crossing) 12/21/2009 10:03:20 am It is a shame that all of you gear was stolen. I WONDER WHO DID IT????? Jordan Heisz 12/21/2009 10:03:44 am Jake I read the story in the newspaper and it's sad to think that your stuff got stolen. It's sad because someone would steal somebody's stuff I mean who would steal something out of a canoe Kaylee Dykes 12/21/2009 10:03:48 am I'm a river crossing student, I wasn't in the class room when you came to tell us about your trip. But I support you and I hope that your successful on your journey. Have fun, and have a Merry Christmas. If feel really bad about the people who stole your gear. And I hope you start back on your trip really soon. Good Luck. Victoria 12/21/2009 10:04:06 am Hey Jake, Allison Foster River crossing 12/21/2009 10:04:11 am Hey Jake, Vinay From rivercrossing 12/21/2009 10:04:13 am Hope u get ur stuff back Emmett Wiegel RC 12/21/2009 10:04:14 am Hi Jake, Tim River Crossing student 12/21/2009 10:04:59 am It sucks that you got your stuff stolden. But it was good that you had people that helped you. Hope your trip gets better. Rachel river crossing environmental charter school 12/21/2009 10:05:03 am jake i sorry to hear about what happened i hope every thing turns out ok Pancake from River Crossing Environmental Charter School student 12/21/2009 10:05:08 am It is hard t believe that some one would do that and i am sorry to hear about! Hope that u can finish your journey with no more bad things happening to u or your kayak! ryan hess river crossing 12/21/2009 10:05:20 am hi Jake, it is very terrible that you got your stuff stolen. i hope you can find the person that stole the gear. 12/21/2009 10:05:30 am hey Jake! Keegan Tollison From River Crossing Envirormental Charter School 12/21/2009 10:05:58 am To bad you had your stuff stolen. You have not had a very good trip first the winter storm and then the stuff stolen. I hope the rest of the trip goes better. sandra from river crossing 12/21/2009 10:07:19 am i really hope you get all your gear back. well all the people who are helping you are enhancing their holiday spirit. you are a great person and i hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Aletha 12/21/2009 10:07:43 am I'm so sorry that your stuff got stolen. I'm glad you're getting back on you're feet. Nathan Krumpos 12/21/2009 10:18:06 am Hey Jake its me Nathan From river crossing school i was wondering were you were in a month from tomorrow cause a month from tomorrow im going to the flordia keys and i can ask my dad when were going to go out fishing five miles and if i could tell me were youwere so i could look out for you with my bonculars and my emailis Krumpos.jjhardy.nathan@gmail.com Larry 12/21/2009 11:00:21 am Jake, Museman 12/21/2009 12:00:53 pm Man, I didn't see your blog over the weekend and was looking forward to reading of your exploits today. I'm sorry to hear that you got ripped off man! Filtering through the comments over the past couple days makes my head spin...a few kooks, but mostly people who want you to succeed in your journey. Jennifer Muse 12/21/2009 12:15:30 pm Hi Jake...Glad things are working out..Like your dad said....good does come from bad...I get cold just reading about your weather and seeing the ice on your hat..I love the comments by the kids...Keep warm and thinkin' about ya.. tom reilly 12/21/2009 12:21:11 pm Hey jake, you are amazing. Love the trip. People are very kind when you look for them. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me. I hope you are planning to write a book of your trip.Your writing style is a pleasure to read. Love to paddle with you sometime. I plan on being in SD for the symposium. Hope to see you there. I will be following your blog as well as passing it on to our paddling group. Best wishes and have great holiday on the water. 12/21/2009 1:48:38 pm My wife's name is Martha. Check out her work at www.marthakellyart.com. devan from rivercrossing school wi 12/22/2009 9:49:37 am hey iam in arkansas right now before you went on your trip you the little shcool in wisconsin well iam in wynne ark you got to be careful down here there are a lot of thugs Patrick Martin 12/23/2009 10:31:33 pm I expect that the outpouring of generosity from the good people of New Madrid and everwhere else will stick with you for the rest of your life. It may be the highlight of your expedition. I know that my faith in mankind is rooted in a similar experience nearly 40 years ago. Leave a Reply | Best of the Blog
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