Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Home at last!!
Brian finally got home late Monday night. He was suppose to be home by 5:30, but his plane got delayed several times!! The storms around DFW were cause of these delays. He did not get home until around 9:30. Anyway he is safe and sound and finally home!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Almost to an end
September 16, 2009
Well, its almost to an end. Brian reached New Orleans yesterday afternoon. He plans on staying there until Monday. Then he will be on his way home. He should be back in Abilene real late Monday night. When he gets settled I will post some pictures. Stay tuned!!!!
Well, its almost to an end. Brian reached New Orleans yesterday afternoon. He plans on staying there until Monday. Then he will be on his way home. He should be back in Abilene real late Monday night. When he gets settled I will post some pictures. Stay tuned!!!!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Having a blast
September 12, 2009
Here are some pictures of the day he got on the barge sent by Brian's parents. Things are still going good and he should be in New Orleans by Monday. Enjoy the pictures!!!!
Here are some pictures of the day he got on the barge sent by Brian's parents. Things are still going good and he should be in New Orleans by Monday. Enjoy the pictures!!!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Another day being pampered!!!
August 10, 2009
Brian called me this morning with his belly full of banana nut pancakes and all sorts of wonderful breakfast food (while I ate microwave hash browns....not fair!!) and he didn't even have to cook (microwave) it!! Things are going good. He got up early this morning, ate breakfast, took lots of pictures and hung out with the captain and crew. There are 9 men on board, plus a really good cook (can he bring her home?!) They alternate shifts so while 4 men sleep, the other 4 are crewing the ship and completeing tasks from maintance to cleaning the ship. He said everyone is really nice and they like to joke/kid around and tell lots of stories.
Will keep you posted!!!
Brian called me this morning with his belly full of banana nut pancakes and all sorts of wonderful breakfast food (while I ate microwave hash browns....not fair!!) and he didn't even have to cook (microwave) it!! Things are going good. He got up early this morning, ate breakfast, took lots of pictures and hung out with the captain and crew. There are 9 men on board, plus a really good cook (can he bring her home?!) They alternate shifts so while 4 men sleep, the other 4 are crewing the ship and completeing tasks from maintance to cleaning the ship. He said everyone is really nice and they like to joke/kid around and tell lots of stories.
Will keep you posted!!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
On the road (I mean River!) again!!!
August 9, 2009 (9.9.09---suppose to be good luck!!)
So Brian is now on the barge. They gave him his own room with a full size bed, own toilet and shower, and it is air conditioned. (I don't even have my own room in my own house!! He has it better there than here!!) He said he has been hanging out with the captain and swapping stories and that the crew is very nice. He also said that the lunch room (don't think it is called that, but can't remember what he called it!!) is open 24/7 (that is even better than he has it here...he's lucky if our kitchen is open 1/7!! just kidding...I'm not that bad!!!) He is enjoying himself and sounded very excited about the whole thing. (And why wouldn't he be...free housing, food anytime you're hungry and he doesn't have to cook it, telling stories.....I want to crew a barge too!!!) The only bad thing....he has to get up at 4:30 in the morning. (Now I don't know about all of you, but my theory is that God made the roster crow in the morning for a reason. If the sun isn't up, I shouldn't be up. Its not natural and against nature!!!)
Anyway, things are going good. I will keep you posted!!!
So Brian is now on the barge. They gave him his own room with a full size bed, own toilet and shower, and it is air conditioned. (I don't even have my own room in my own house!! He has it better there than here!!) He said he has been hanging out with the captain and swapping stories and that the crew is very nice. He also said that the lunch room (don't think it is called that, but can't remember what he called it!!) is open 24/7 (that is even better than he has it here...he's lucky if our kitchen is open 1/7!! just kidding...I'm not that bad!!!) He is enjoying himself and sounded very excited about the whole thing. (And why wouldn't he be...free housing, food anytime you're hungry and he doesn't have to cook it, telling stories.....I want to crew a barge too!!!) The only bad thing....he has to get up at 4:30 in the morning. (Now I don't know about all of you, but my theory is that God made the roster crow in the morning for a reason. If the sun isn't up, I shouldn't be up. Its not natural and against nature!!!)
Anyway, things are going good. I will keep you posted!!!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Won't be long now!! Yea!!
September 7, 2009
Brian is going to finish up the his rest of his journey on a barge (yea!!!...no more worrying about a tornado taking him away, Mississippi rats getting him, speed boats hitting him, ...). Marquette Marine Transportation is very eager to have Brian on board and has agreed to let Brian not only take photos and interview staff, but also join the crew (second career possibly..free on the job training?). This will be an awesome addition for his book. The trek should take about 4-5 days to get to New Orleans. If everything goes as planned he will meet the barge in St. Louis tomorrow sometime. Will keep you posted!!
Brian is going to finish up the his rest of his journey on a barge (yea!!!...no more worrying about a tornado taking him away, Mississippi rats getting him, speed boats hitting him, ...). Marquette Marine Transportation is very eager to have Brian on board and has agreed to let Brian not only take photos and interview staff, but also join the crew (second career possibly..free on the job training?). This will be an awesome addition for his book. The trek should take about 4-5 days to get to New Orleans. If everything goes as planned he will meet the barge in St. Louis tomorrow sometime. Will keep you posted!!
Some River pictures that I hadn't posted yet
Brian stopped at this little island for lunch. He said the sand was super soft.
Going down the River!!
Brian took this picture to show how slow the current was. His boat didn't move while he took this picture.
Brian's monkey toes!!!
Brian posing for the camera!!!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Options, options, options!!!!
August 31, 2009
Sorry for the lag in posting!! Brian and I have been weighing options on the next step in the trip. He has come up with some great ideas, but I won't spill the beans yet!! Once everything is ironed out, I will post!! We should have everything lined up by Friday. Keep your fingers crossed!!!
Brian has sent me lots of pictures. I will try to post them soon!!
Have a good week!
Sorry for the lag in posting!! Brian and I have been weighing options on the next step in the trip. He has come up with some great ideas, but I won't spill the beans yet!! Once everything is ironed out, I will post!! We should have everything lined up by Friday. Keep your fingers crossed!!!
Brian has sent me lots of pictures. I will try to post them soon!!
Have a good week!
Friday, August 28, 2009
A powerboat hit my husband!!!!!!
August 28, 2009
Brian calls me yesterday and starts to explain a situation that happened. He finally gets to the important part and tells me that a powerboat hit him and then took off. (What??!! Time to come home!!! Leave the damn kayak!!!) The powerboat starting heading his way, so he started to paddle even closer to the shore. He goes on to tell me that boats often come close to him(maybe they think it is funny to see him have to paddle threw their big waves...jerks!) so he didn't think much about it. But they kept coming. He said he raised his paddle and yelled at them but they had their "crusing music" way too loud. So he tryed to get out of his kayak and the boat hit his kayak which in turn hit him and made him go even deeper into the water where the current grabbed ahold of him (what every wife wants to hear!) When he finally surfaced, the speed boat was way down the river and his kayak was floating away. Last night when I talked to him, he was not sure the extent of the damage. His prop (sp?) and the line that controls the direction were trashed. Not sure what all damage happened to the actually boat structure/body. Will keep you posted!!!
Brian calls me yesterday and starts to explain a situation that happened. He finally gets to the important part and tells me that a powerboat hit him and then took off. (What??!! Time to come home!!! Leave the damn kayak!!!) The powerboat starting heading his way, so he started to paddle even closer to the shore. He goes on to tell me that boats often come close to him(maybe they think it is funny to see him have to paddle threw their big waves...jerks!) so he didn't think much about it. But they kept coming. He said he raised his paddle and yelled at them but they had their "crusing music" way too loud. So he tryed to get out of his kayak and the boat hit his kayak which in turn hit him and made him go even deeper into the water where the current grabbed ahold of him (what every wife wants to hear!) When he finally surfaced, the speed boat was way down the river and his kayak was floating away. Last night when I talked to him, he was not sure the extent of the damage. His prop (sp?) and the line that controls the direction were trashed. Not sure what all damage happened to the actually boat structure/body. Will keep you posted!!!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Did you know that Molly Brown was on her way to Hannibal when the Titanic sank?
August 24, 2009
Here are some more pictures of Hannibal MO. Enjoy!!!
Hannibal: Although the site of Hannibal was previously occupied by early settlers and Native American tribes, the city of Hannibal was founded by Moses Bates in 1819. Although the city initially grew slowly to a population of only 30 by 1830, access to Mississippi river and railroad transportation fueled growth to 2,020 by 1850. Hannibal had gained "city" status by 1845.
Hannibal Map
Some cool people from Hannibal:
Jake Beckley, major league baseball player
James Carroll Beckwith
Margaret Brown, passenger on the Titanic, the unsinkable Molly Brown.
Robert Coontz
Cliff Edwards, the voice of Disney's Jiminy Cricket
Harry Richard Landis, one of the last surviving World War I veterans was born near Hannibal.
George Poage
Benjamin Prentiss
Scott Sanders, Baseball player
Larry Thompson was born and raised in Hannibal, Deputy Attorney General of the United States under President George W Bush
Mark Twain (Samuel L. Clemens)
William P Lear inventor of car radio and Learjet
Yea, I didn't know who they all were either!!!!!
Pictures of the Big town of Hannibal, Population: Approx 17,000
Mark Twain Memorial Bridge
Tom and Huck Statue placed at the foot of Cardiff Hill and the Mark Twain Statue located in Riverview Park overlooking the Mississippi River--both in Hannibal
The Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse was constructed in 1933 and has been lit at three separate times by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President John F. Kennedy, and President Bill Clinton
The "Mark Twain"
Brian got to interview the captain and the captain even let Brian drive!!! (The Captain is much more trusting than I!! Just kidding honey!!)
Lover's leap
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Quincy, IL
August 19, 2009
Talked to Brian briefly tonight. He was exhausted. Today he got to go through the lock and dam at Canton, Missouri. He said it was fun going through them. It rained on him a lot today. He decided he needed to get as far as possible so he continued in the rain (with his rain jacket on) until it was raining so hard he couldn't see. He said there is also still not a lot of current, so he is having to paddle extra hard to get anywhere.
Mississippi River Lock and Dam #20
ImpoundsUpper Mississippi River
LocaleCanton, Missouri
Length2,369 feet (722.1 m)
Construction began1932
Opening dateNovember 20, 1935
Construction costUS$4.45 million
Maintained byUnited States Army Corps of Engineers
He plans on staying a few days in Quincy. He has a interview planned with a tug boat captain, and some other sites, etc to visit. I think is is suppose to continue to rain, so it is probably a good place to stop for a while!!
Quincy IL
Stay tuned!!
Talked to Brian briefly tonight. He was exhausted. Today he got to go through the lock and dam at Canton, Missouri. He said it was fun going through them. It rained on him a lot today. He decided he needed to get as far as possible so he continued in the rain (with his rain jacket on) until it was raining so hard he couldn't see. He said there is also still not a lot of current, so he is having to paddle extra hard to get anywhere.
Mississippi River Lock and Dam #20
ImpoundsUpper Mississippi River
LocaleCanton, Missouri
Length2,369 feet (722.1 m)
Construction began1932
Opening dateNovember 20, 1935
Construction costUS$4.45 million
Maintained byUnited States Army Corps of Engineers
He plans on staying a few days in Quincy. He has a interview planned with a tug boat captain, and some other sites, etc to visit. I think is is suppose to continue to rain, so it is probably a good place to stop for a while!!
Quincy ILStay tuned!!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Mud Island, IA
August 18, 2009 Tuesday Brian called tonight from Mud Island outside of Keokuk, IA. Mud Island is a 119 acre floodplain (lets hope it doesn't rain!!!!) forest island located within the Keokuk Pool of the Mississippi river approximately 2 river miles south of the Lock and Damn 20 (ie. Keokuk Dam). The island serves as a night roost and feeding site for a large population of wintering Bald Eagles. Anyway he made through the Keokuk Dam located on the upper Mississippi River near of course its name sake Keokuk, IA, which is in Lee County.
(pics copied from web site) 
IT uses a lock and dam mechanism. How does a lock on the dam work you ask? Yea, I had to look it up. (I am a PT not an engineer!!!) Anyway, the river is an inclined plane whose water moves in and out of locks by gravity. Think of locks as a flight of "water stairs" going up and down a hill. Water is drained from the first lock (using gravity) until the water level is even with the second one. The downstream gate is opened to allow the vessel into the lower lock, and the process is repeated.
Well, Brian did this in his Kayak. He said he held on to a handle on the side while the water was drained. Cool huh?
Check out http://itouchmap.com/?r=b&e=y&p=40.3992109,-91.3626509:0:5:Keokuk%20Dam to see his current location (kinda like a where's Waldo!).
So the plan is to trek on and make it to Canton, Missouri by tomorrow. There are lots of storms coming his way, so lets hope he stays dry and safe!!!
(pics copied from web site) 
IT uses a lock and dam mechanism. How does a lock on the dam work you ask? Yea, I had to look it up. (I am a PT not an engineer!!!) Anyway, the river is an inclined plane whose water moves in and out of locks by gravity. Think of locks as a flight of "water stairs" going up and down a hill. Water is drained from the first lock (using gravity) until the water level is even with the second one. The downstream gate is opened to allow the vessel into the lower lock, and the process is repeated.
Well, Brian did this in his Kayak. He said he held on to a handle on the side while the water was drained. Cool huh?
Check out http://itouchmap.com/?r=b&e=y&p=40.3992109,-91.3626509:0:5:Keokuk%20Dam to see his current location (kinda like a where's Waldo!).
So the plan is to trek on and make it to Canton, Missouri by tomorrow. There are lots of storms coming his way, so lets hope he stays dry and safe!!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Pictures from the River
Hey everyone,
Brian was able to send me some pictures via email of sites along the river. He will begin his day tomorrow at Ft. Madison, Iowa. They have been getting a lot of rain in that area, so lets pray he stays warm and dry (skin prune-free!!). I will post more as I get it!!!! Enjoy the pics!
Brian was able to send me some pictures via email of sites along the river. He will begin his day tomorrow at Ft. Madison, Iowa. They have been getting a lot of rain in that area, so lets pray he stays warm and dry (skin prune-free!!). I will post more as I get it!!!! Enjoy the pics!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Behind!!!
August 16, 2009
Hey everyone. Sorry I am so behind. Went to Austin this weekend and did not have computer access. Brian did send me some pictures over the weekend and I plan on posting them tomorrow with more kayak tales!!!!
Stay tuned!
Hey everyone. Sorry I am so behind. Went to Austin this weekend and did not have computer access. Brian did send me some pictures over the weekend and I plan on posting them tomorrow with more kayak tales!!!!
Stay tuned!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Taking a break
August 13, 2009 Thursday
Brian just got to his parents house. Confused. Don't worry, you have good reason to be. The conditions in Minnesota, where the river begins were not kayak friendly. There continued to be no current and water levels were low (Brian saw a fishing boat hit bottom and almost throw out its passengers!!). The weather was also not co-operating (Auntie Em...Auntie Em!!---the wind actually broke his tent!!!). After much consideration, it was decided to bypass this area and begin again further down the river. Otherwise it could be December before he made it down to New Orleans (and I only agreed to October!!!) SO the plan is to rest a day and then begin again where the river actually has some current and where I don't have to worry about tornadoes taking him away. I will keep everyone posted!!
P.S. Become a follower!!!! :)
Brian just got to his parents house. Confused. Don't worry, you have good reason to be. The conditions in Minnesota, where the river begins were not kayak friendly. There continued to be no current and water levels were low (Brian saw a fishing boat hit bottom and almost throw out its passengers!!). The weather was also not co-operating (Auntie Em...Auntie Em!!---the wind actually broke his tent!!!). After much consideration, it was decided to bypass this area and begin again further down the river. Otherwise it could be December before he made it down to New Orleans (and I only agreed to October!!!) SO the plan is to rest a day and then begin again where the river actually has some current and where I don't have to worry about tornadoes taking him away. I will keep everyone posted!!
P.S. Become a follower!!!! :)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
NO CURRENT!!
Still sick...so this will be a short entry tonight. Side note: can someone blow their nose too much?
August 11, 2009
Darn water. The water is too low and there is not a current. Unfortunately he traveled only 18 miles today. Which I guess is pretty good keeping in mind there is absolutely no current, but it is not as far as he planned on making today. He sounded exhausted. Lets hope it gets better tomorrow.
August 11, 2009
Darn water. The water is too low and there is not a current. Unfortunately he traveled only 18 miles today. Which I guess is pretty good keeping in mind there is absolutely no current, but it is not as far as he planned on making today. He sounded exhausted. Lets hope it gets better tomorrow.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Open waters!!!!
Sorry, I am behind. I have been sick. I thought I had posted this,but I didn't!!
August 10, 2009
August 10, 2009
Open waters!! Finally! Now maybe he can put some miles behind him and come home!! Tonight he is camping out at Pokegama, Grand Rapids. (all of these towns sound like people were named while people were drunk!). The weather has been much nicer-sun has been out...NO RAIN!! Lets hope it stays that way! Brian says its beautiful there.
He's Famous
August 10, 2009
Hey everyone, Brian's famous!! He is in the Abilene Reporter News again. However, the reporter gots some facts wrong. I think he was confused about when Brian left Texas versus time actually on the river. Anyways, enjoy!!!
Check out http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/aug/09/kayaking-trip-hard-but-also-rewarding/
Hey everyone, Brian's famous!! He is in the Abilene Reporter News again. However, the reporter gots some facts wrong. I think he was confused about when Brian left Texas versus time actually on the river. Anyways, enjoy!!!
Check out http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/aug/09/kayaking-trip-hard-but-also-rewarding/
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Darn those Marshes!!!
August 9, 2009 Sunday
Heard from Brian today. The marshes are evil and must be destroyed....just kidding. But I think it might have crossed Brian's mind a time or two. The water levels are very low due to decreased rain over the last month or so thus making the marshes impossible to pass in some areas. In some areas there is hardly any water so he has to pull his kayak behind him or the marshes are so thick it is impossible to paddle through. Did I mention the water is freezing? Did I also mention it is cooler than normal up there this year? Due to this, he did not make as much headway as he planned. So he decided it would be much safer (and thus in my mind the wisest decision!! Don't want to add hypothermia to my list of worries!!!) to call a tow truck to come pick the kayak up and take him past this area of marsh lands. The tow truck is scheduled to pick him up tomorrow morning. Hopefully he will continue to be in cell service area to be able to tell me how it goes tomorrow!!
Heard from Brian today. The marshes are evil and must be destroyed....just kidding. But I think it might have crossed Brian's mind a time or two. The water levels are very low due to decreased rain over the last month or so thus making the marshes impossible to pass in some areas. In some areas there is hardly any water so he has to pull his kayak behind him or the marshes are so thick it is impossible to paddle through. Did I mention the water is freezing? Did I also mention it is cooler than normal up there this year? Due to this, he did not make as much headway as he planned. So he decided it would be much safer (and thus in my mind the wisest decision!! Don't want to add hypothermia to my list of worries!!!) to call a tow truck to come pick the kayak up and take him past this area of marsh lands. The tow truck is scheduled to pick him up tomorrow morning. Hopefully he will continue to be in cell service area to be able to tell me how it goes tomorrow!!
Hey everyone!!!
August 9, 2009
Hey everyone! I would love it if you are following along with the blog if you would please sign up as a follower. I think it would be really cool and would show support for Brian when he finds the opportunities to use the internet. Also feel free to post questions, comments, etc!!! Thanks!!
Hey everyone! I would love it if you are following along with the blog if you would please sign up as a follower. I think it would be really cool and would show support for Brian when he finds the opportunities to use the internet. Also feel free to post questions, comments, etc!!! Thanks!!
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