Day 267 (Portage at last!) 08/29/2010
I made it!  Pulling out right where I put in last December It was a day of surprises and moments I’ll remember forever. Thank you everyone that came to see my return (by water) to the very spot on the Wisconsin River where it all started last December. It was overwhelming to see all the friends and family that showed up to wish me well. It’s been a long trail and I couldn’t have done it without the help and encouragement everyone has given me throughout the last nine months. It has also been a very long day so please forgive me for forcing you to wait a bit to hear more details. Daily Stats Start: 10:00 AM - Governor’s Bend, WI Finish 1:45 PM - Riverside Park - PORTAGE, WI ! Time: 4:45 hours Daily dist: 6 miles Total dist: 5200+ Companions: John, Tom, Elizabeth, Dad, Aaron, Dave, Margie Weather: Clear skies, 80’s, SW winds 10+ Notes: Arrived at Indian Agency House at 12:00 noon After getting sorted out at the campground our group of five paddlers which included (my brother Aaron, Dad, Cousin Dan, and friend Margie) headed out for Governor’s Bend where I left off yesterday. Waiting for me there was the first major surprise of the day. My good friend Dave Lindo had flown in all the way from Oklahoma City to see me cross the finish line. So he wouldn’t have to wait around for me to arrive, Dave and I drove back to the Indian Trails Campground to borrow a kayak so he could join me on the water. By the time we returned my mom’s cousin Tom and his daughter Colleen had also joined our group. Right on schedule at 10:00 we all launched into the Fox River and two hours later (after carrying around the only fallen tree that blocks the narrow river) we reached the Portage canal and the end of the Fox River for this trip.  The group leads the way to the finish line. Waiting for us at the Indian Agency House was two dozen onlookers there to see the arrival back in Portage. There to greet us as well was the very same gentleman that escorted me out of town on his SUP board last winter. Portage Doug (as he’s known in our family) had paddled the length of the canal from his apartment on the other side of town. It was an unexpected surprise but suddenly I was shown a means to get across town to the start point on the Wisconsin River that didn’t involve walking which is what I thought I’d be doing. So it was, after many hugs, hellos, and a quick interview with the press, that I dropped the Ikkuma into the canal and paddled it across town. There wasn’t much water in the canal but it was just enough to float my boat.  The canal isn't what it once was but it's still better than walking. Doug jumped ahead with a ride from his friend Paul and caught up with me where there was a low head dam that I’d have to portage. Once back on the water I could see some folks on the lawn next to the next bridge one of those folks ended up being the second big surprise of the day. There waiting to greet me was my friend Neil (whom I met up with in Fort Lauderdale last February). After a quick hello, Doug and I continued under the bridge and on to the very end of the canal just past the refurbished canal lock. Neil and others had followed along on foot and were there to help Doug and I carry over the flood control embankment back out onto the Wisconsin River.  Rod, Mark, and Neil greet me on the canal From that last carry it was a very quick run downstream to exactly where it all started early last December. On top of the bank was at least three dozen people cheering me on to the finish line. With their cheers of encouragement, I touched the bank, officially back where it all started, at 2:45. In the park shelter nearby was a huge spread of potluck items to feed all the masses.  Quite a crowd gathered at the finish line I regret not having the energy or ware-with-all to give a speech at the picnic. It would have been the perfect opportunity to thank, first hand, many of the people that helped me make it back. So if you were there, or only wish you could have been, please know that I truly feel blessed to have been surrounded by so many great people thorough this trip and I thank you. It has taken a lot of work but the blog and e-mail access I’ve had throughout this trip has allowed me to share the adventure with you. In return your kind words of encouragement have helped me all along the way. I couldn’t have done it without you and in many ways it felt like we made it back to Portage together. If you’re like many people at the picnic that told me that reading the blog has become such a habit that they don’t know what they’re going to do now that I’ve reached Portage, you don’t need to despair. Tomorrow I’m going to be right back at it on the Wisconsin River where I left off last winter. Follow along as I close up the gap over the next thirteen days on my way to Grafton Illinois. CommentsBrad B 08/30/2010 5:40am
Congratulations Jake! What an amazing accomplishment you have done. You probably don't realize what an inspiration you are other paddlers. I first heard about your trek when you got to the Gulf of Mexico, and I've been following you ever since. I can't wait to read the book when it comes out. Great Job Jake! Dave Diederich 08/30/2010 7:39am
Awesome Jake. I learned of Jake's amazing Project when I read about it on RiverBills website last December. River Bill has faithfully posted Jake's progress every day since he departed from Grafton Illinois following the early winter freeze in Wisconsin. Jenny 08/30/2010 9:02am
Wouldn't have missed it for anything !! Thom 08/30/2010 9:41am
Congratulations Jake. It was a pleasure and inspiration to follow along. Andy 08/30/2010 9:45am
Great Job Jake!! Wish I could have been there. Larry 08/30/2010 10:22am
Great job Jake! Take a breather and get started on that book. BananaTom 08/30/2010 12:18pm
Congratulations? Now eat a Banana!!! Jenni Loging 08/30/2010 9:09pm
Way to go!!! Welcome back! That is so awesome! Sorry to miss your welcome home bash! Robby 08/30/2010 9:58pm
Congratulations Jake. Thanks for the tour. It's been great reading about your adventures. Mark 08/31/2010 7:13am
Congratulations!!! 08/31/2010 7:15am
Hi Jake - Congrats on completing your trip! Quite the accomplishment! Hope to see you at the next New England Rough Water Symposium. Sylvia & Ron Ham 08/31/2010 7:50am
Congratulations Jake. How wonderful to have dreams, but priceless to live them. We consider ourselves so fortunate to have met you and offer our home for that one evening here in Pawleys Island, SC. Keep dreaming.........and if you find yourself on the east coast again, look us up. Take care and so glad you made it in time for your mom's birthday with room to spare. Sylvia & Ron 08/31/2010 10:52am
Congratulations. I followed you from the beginning and wear your T-shirt proudly. Jim Fields 08/31/2010 3:01pm
Congratulations Jake! I am inspired by your travels, and I really enjoyed the stories of you meeting people along the way to help you on your journey. bill sauer 08/31/2010 4:11pm
followed you since december. enjoyed paddling with you in may. glad to see you made it Ed 08/31/2010 10:21pm
Congrats!!! Great Job!!! Welcome home. Leave a Reply | Best of the Blog
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