Hello from East Moline Illinois (across the river from Davenport) in the Quad Cities area. Today we experienced the most gracious offering of very real and true hospitality I’ve ever witnessed.

After breaking camp at the Sands motel in Boscobel Wisconsin this morning we drove south in search of open water and better weather. The plan was to re-group with Tammy Becker at the Living Lands and Waters headquarters in East Moline. As it turned out we ended up staying in the guest room of Gary and Keekee Pregracke who are the parents of the founder of Living Lands and Waters, Chad Pregracke. In essence these two kind hearted souls opened up their home to three complete strangers who’s only connection was the river that not only flows past but pretty much is their back yard. Visiting and stayingwith such amazing and warm hearted people was just what we needed to get re-centered on this trip and ready to continue on with the new plan. After being the recipient of so much kindness I can only hope that I’ll be able to pay it forward some way, some time, in the future.

Picture
Picture
River completely frozen in Dubuque
As luck would have it, the river here is only slightly less frozen than up stream in Dubuque. The main channel is still open but for most of the way the shore is blocked by hundreds of feet of newly formed ice. I’ve finally accepted that it was a gamble to try to sneak out of the north before winter set in, and that I missed the weather window by five days and got caught in a very big way. Now that we have no choice but to jump further south, I need to make sure we jump far enough to be sure I don’t get caught again. So, after much deliberation, we’ve decided to push further south all the way to the St. Louis area before getting back on the water. Starting Saturday the weather is looking very favorable for at least the next ten days. In that time I should be far enough south that nothing but the most freak winter storm could stop me cold like this last one has. I’ll have an even bigger gap to fill next fall but already can’t wait to return here to say hi again to such amazing people.

 


Comments

Tim Bradley
12/11/2009 12:24am

Passed over the Mississippi, just north
of Quincy Ill. on decent to O'hare field
about 4:15 this afternoon. Lots of ice in
all of the back bays and along the shore-
line. Main channel is open though. Surface temp was -12C. Ice is still formiing. When it warms up in a couple
of days, that ice will break-up, and start
moving downstream. Ever consider
starting up again in St Louis? Taking into
account the scope of the whole trip, whats the diff between Boscobel-Daven-
port, or Boscobel-St Louis, come next
October. Just a thought. Good Luck!

Reply
Des Hernandez
12/11/2009 1:09am

Jake
stay safe, you have lots of water ahead
to enjoy and have and make the best
of this trip.
des

Reply
Jan Kleck
12/11/2009 7:14am

The kindness of people, new friends, and the introduction of new meaningful links (like LL&W) are going to make this trip memorable - as much as the ice, snow, cold, etc. etc. You have already experienced enough for a short book - I look forward to 10 months worth of "good tales"! As you know, the journey began when you put in that beautiful sunny Sunday. All that happens is part of that journey - ice, snow, eagles, welcome signs, comments daily from people who care, decisions, values, a few beds here and there - what a journey. Good morning to all of those on this journey with you!

Reply
Jim from Merrill
12/11/2009 7:48am

Jake, glad to see you're human and your dreams don't always turn out like you planned. If things went exactly as you planned then your trip would be boring. Why bother doing it at all if you already know what's going to happen. I assume you know the story of the young Eric Severeid and his paddling adventure from Minneapolis up to Hudson's Bay. Even he and his partner had to humble themselves and accept that ferry ride across windswept Lake Winnipeg.

Anyway, your story won't end up being so much about how much water you've covered. It's going to end up being about the people who've touched you (it already is).

I hope you understand that you have committed yourself to that paddle from Boscobel to St.Louis. I'm looking forward to it.

Reply
Aaron Stachovak
12/11/2009 7:53am

So I am sitting here in my living room looking out over Lake Michigan, the weather reporter on TV just stated that it was around -20 with the wind chill, and a flock of 1000+ geese landed just below my house. The only thing I could think of was, "IT IS TOO STINKING COLD TO EVEN BE HUNTING". So with that said - Man UP and paddle already! :)

Reply



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