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Day 30 (95 miles to Baton Rouge)

1/4/2010

20 Comments

 
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.
Picture
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.

20 Comments
Andy
1/4/2010 08:50:27 pm

Go Jake,

Glad you have a place to stay. Can't wait until you're in warmer waters.

Reply
lyn stachovak
1/4/2010 09:15:42 pm

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!!!

Reply
Jenny
1/4/2010 09:19:38 pm

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. !!!
Jenny

Reply
Jan Kleck
1/4/2010 09:28:56 pm

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!

Reply
John Cronin
1/4/2010 10:56:35 pm

Glad you have a warm safe place to stay in Baton Rouge. Take a break. I think you've earned it.

Reply
Cheryl and David
1/4/2010 11:19:29 pm

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.

Reply
Neil B
1/4/2010 11:27:52 pm

Jake,
You've reached 1,000 miles!!!
Way to go!

Reply
Steven Krause
1/4/2010 11:36:42 pm

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?

Reply
Aaron Stachovak
1/4/2010 11:46:13 pm

only 95 miles? what are you - a Sally? Go for the 100!!!

take a break!

Oh - and by the way I am an uncle again -

Reply
Bea Patterson
1/5/2010 03:51:19 am

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.

Reply
George Greer, Jr. link
1/5/2010 04:48:01 am

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.

Reply
Kathy & Larry (Portage WI)
1/5/2010 04:58:31 am

Way to go - go !!! 95 miles - our prayers are with you - stay safe.

Reply
Jenn Gutierrez
1/5/2010 05:46:19 am

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!

Reply
Alicia
1/5/2010 07:31:34 am

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 !!!

Have you contacted Tony @ Fairhope Boat Co in Fairhope AL ?? I'm sure there will be a place to stay and fellow paddlers. I've e-mailed my Uncle in Pensacola FL for you as well.
Take Care, Fondly,
Alicia
PS; Soon as I get over this bug, I'm sending you a care package.

Reply
martha link
1/5/2010 08:06:18 am

95 miles!! good lord, jake!

have a great time in baton rouge. i hope you find some great seafood. no one beats louisana for amazing restaurants, and i'm glad you're out of the cold. i've been thinking about you as the temperature has plunged the last few days. we're not going to even hit freezing for days here.

Reply
Tootie
1/5/2010 10:30:21 am

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.

Reply
Alice
1/5/2010 11:27:39 am

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

Reply
Tim Bradley
1/5/2010 12:12:59 pm

95 miles in one day, averaging almost
8.5 miles per hr. Awesome!

Reply
capt chris henry nmpd
1/5/2010 01:41:34 pm

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.

Reply
Franklin Square adult link
10/24/2012 02:54:05 am

Great info, thank you.

Reply



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