Portage Wisconsin is a very unique place where the Wisconsin River (linked to the Mississippi) flows to within two miles of the Fox River (linked to the great lakes).  It was used for centuries by native Americans, then Europeans as a short cross-land link of these two very important North American waterways.  In recorded history, at flood level, these two rivers have actually met.  A canal was eventually dug in Portage and other canal systems have been dug in places like Chicago to link the Mississippi with the Great Lakes, but Portage Wisconsin has the distinction of being one of the few (if not only) places where the waters have met naturally.  It is also located within a couple hour drive (and linked by the Wisconsin River) to Jake’s home town of Wausau WI. 

The town of Portage WI grew up around a trail that linked two bodies of water by land.  This trip will reverse the story and go the long way around to link both sides of Portage by water.  Along the way Jake will be traveling along classic American waterways populated by millions of people - through wood land, farm land, small towns, big towns, and mega cities… all of them, linked by water.