Day 30 (95 miles to Baton Rouge) 01/05/2010
Daily stats Start: 6:00 AM- On the river mile marker 324 Finish:5:15 PM - Baton Rouge Time: 11:15 Daily dist: 95 miles Total dist: ? miles Companions: None Weather: Mostly cloudy with strong cold north wind - one of the coldest days so far Notes: Rather than taking time and energy to set up and tear down camp one more night I opted to push through and get to Baton Rogue in one long day. I've been wanting to see how far the wind and curent could take me anyway.  This bridge was at mile 90 (hour 10:30) only five miles to the take out downtown With all my complaining of all the bad people of the world I had lost sight of the many people that have gone out of their way to help me out with this trip. Even after all the sponsor support, donated money, free meals, hot showers, places to stay, rides for new gear, and logistical support, I already have a growing list of people who have stood at a boat landing in nasty foul weather waiting for me to arrive so they could take me home and warm me up. First it was my parents shin deep in show in Boscabel Wisconsin, then it was Elmore Holmes on Christmas Eve in the driving rain in Memphis, and today it was Michael Beck in the bitter cold wind at sunset at a boat ramp in Baton Rogue. Thank you everyone for all your help, I couldn’t do it without you. To top things off Michael didn’t even know I was going to arrive until about 3:00 PM this afternoon. I’ve been out of cell and internet contact for the last three days so I had no way of telling him when I was due to arrive until I finally got a signal this afternoon. We had been corresponding off and on for a few months but all he knew was that I was due sometime this week. Michael was one of the first people to respond to my initial announcement of this trip and shameless request for places to stay along the way. With his spare bedroom and location just six blocks from the river, Michael has made a hobby of taking in wayward river paddlers giving them a chance to dust themselves off before they push on to the end of the river just a few days away. After such a long day on the water I was grateful to have a place to stay tonight. Ironically here in Louisiana (with the wind chill) we are experiencing the coldest temperatures I’ve seen since we high tailed it out of Wisconsin after the big winter storm caught us last month. The weather is supposed to remain bad (with rain added to the mix) for the next several days so I’m glad to have a place to stay off the river. The plan right now is to plan. With the transition into the Gulf of Mexico only two or three days down stream I need to get the details of the next phase of this trip sorted out. I’ll be sorting through my kit, repairing a few things and purging out a few that I haven’t used in the last thousand miles. In addition I need to round up charts and info for the route from here to the Florida Everglades and gear up (or down) for somewhat warmer weather. I figure I’ll be taking advantage of Michael’s hospitality for at least a few days then moving on by next weekend. Along with preparing the next leg of the trip I’ll be updating a few things on my website and exploring Baton Rogue itself. Michael already walked me around his (very safe) neighborhood and showed me some of the many things there are to see within walking distance. There certainly is a lot to explore in this town. He said I could stay as long as I like but if I’m still here in February he’d start charging me rent. CommentsAndy 01/05/2010 6:50am
Go Jake, lyn stachovak 01/05/2010 7:15am
looks like it's going to be a good time to be off the water - bad weather for you as well as for us. Then again, it's not so bad for us. We're from Wisconsin - we can take the cold. We laugh at the cold. Bring it on!!! Jenny 01/05/2010 7:19am
Yay !!! I have something that I have to mail to you. Can you send me an address? I will get it out a.s.a.p. !!! Jan Kleck 01/05/2010 7:28am
I love this kind of plan - got to have a plan! What a wonderful place to spend some time - Michael - another great person! Happy planning! John Cronin 01/05/2010 8:56am
Glad you have a warm safe place to stay in Baton Rouge. Take a break. I think you've earned it. Cheryl and David 01/05/2010 9:19am
Way to go Jake!!!! You are back on your game. Just so you know we sent your packages to your Mom today, didnt want you to think we forgot our promise to you. Neil B 01/05/2010 9:27am
Jake, Steven Krause 01/05/2010 9:36am
Your mother laughs at the cold. She's from Ironwood. All the Ironwooders of my acquaintance are polar bears. Stay on the warm coasts until spring. Here's the plan. When you get out the Mississippi mouth, hang a Louie and hug the coast until you see a big sign that says "Everglades". Or is it more complicated than that? Aaron Stachovak 01/05/2010 9:46am
only 95 miles? what are you - a Sally? Go for the 100!!! Bea Patterson 01/05/2010 1:51pm
So sorry to hear about latest misfortune. May the currents take you into warm waters and safely away from "land cretins." Ron and I wish you the best. 01/05/2010 2:48pm
I expect to be at Cape May Point, NJ, end of April...more or less. Hot shower, dry bed, good food, cheap wine. Cell: 858-231-5455 or land line at CMPT: 609-884-4092. Kathy & Larry (Portage WI) 01/05/2010 2:58pm
Way to go - go !!! 95 miles - our prayers are with you - stay safe. Jenn Gutierrez 01/05/2010 3:46pm
Way to go on already making 1000 miles! That's awesome! I have a good high school friend who lived in New Orleans for awhile and she's putting out the word to see if she knows anyone who might want to paddle with you or who has a yard you can camp in... I'll let you know if she finds anyone! Enjoy a couple days off! Alicia 01/05/2010 5:31pm
Whoooo hoooo way to go Jake. I agree with Aaron, whats up ONLY 95 miles....you should have made a u turn and completd the remaining 5 miles.... NO Just kidding !!! 95 miles!! good lord, jake! Tootie 01/05/2010 8:30pm
Good going Jake. You deserve a rest now. Enjoy your time off and relax a bit before you get going again. Hope you don't have any after effects from your misadventure. Take care and I will be looking for your next update. Alice 01/05/2010 9:27pm
Hey Jake-- Keep thinking of the good guys! I'm sorry you've run into some "bottom feeders," but the rest of us are rooting for you! Keep up the positive thoughts- but keep your eyes open, too. Love, Cousin Alice Tim Bradley 01/05/2010 10:12pm
95 miles in one day, averaging almost capt chris henry nmpd 01/05/2010 11:41pm
hey jake this is capt chris henry from new madrid mo police dept. i been keeping up with you and im glad you took my advise about talking with the police. most police we watch your back but you still need to watch yours. be safe and keep going strong. Leave a Reply | Best of the Blog
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