Today I was in the stern of grasshopper. It was my first time being in the back of such a big boat, and it was a little overwhelming at first. The steering was a little difficult but I got much better as we got downstream! We paddled from Island 62 to a channel that connects Desoto Lake and the Mississippi River. I have been learning so much about the geography and layout of this section of the river, and I can't wait to learn more!

                                              This was taken on Island 62 looking upstream

Written on Saturday, May 7th
Today I woke up, and ran to the Quapaw Canoe Company base. I was so excited to get back out on the river for an overnight trip. We took three canoes out with us on the trip because we had 20 people with us. We all had a lot of fun paddling down the river, and we finally settled for the night at island 62. We cooked kabobs on the fire, and went to bed early in preparation for the next day. 

      This canoes name is grasshopper! She is a 30 foot canoe made of Louisiana Bald Cypress

                    This is my campsite on Island 62. I had this whole side of the beach to myself!

Yesterday, I didn't really do much. We just did a lot of heavy lifting and got some gear together for the trip today. In the evening, I met with John Ruskey and his family for dinner. I had a lot of fun getting to know his family, and the food was delicious! 

I am also leaving for a overnight trip in just under an hour. We are taking a 16 person church group out on the Mississippi.

I'll post two blogs tomorrow night because I won't be able to post tonight!

Here are some pictures of the dugout canoes the Quapaw canoe company has made.

Unfortunately, I did not have time to do the circumnavigation of island 63 today because we had to prep for a trip this weekend. Instead, I had the chance to do a 10 mile strip of the Sunflower River with Mark. But before that, River showed me around the basement of the shop, which flooded about two months ago.

                     (Mark River showing how high the water was during the flood) 

After lunch, we took a canoe out on the Sunflower. 

We were able to catch a glimpse of a few deer running through the trees, as well as some beavers and turtles. Then we stopped for some much needed rice crispy treats along the way. I had a great time exploring the river today, and I can't wait to get back to it!

Today I got to the shop around 9am, and helped work on an old trailer that they carry canoes on. Afterwards, River and I took a group of kids in an after school program out on the Sunflower River. There were more kids than there were on Monday, and we all had a great time. I paddled with a 13 year old named Kyle who liked to rap and talk about cars. He was really funny and kept saying that our canoe was a Bugatti. I had a great time talking to everyone and getting to know more kids in Clarksdale. A lot of people here have been very welcoming and nice to me despite the fact that I'm not a local.
I am also excited because I have to circumnavigate an island called island 63 in the Mississippi River tomorrow!

Today I woke up filled with excitement because I got the chance to go out on the big river! I got to the shop around 8:30am, packed my gear in a little dry sack, and headed off to Helena, Arkansas to find the drop in point. Mark River and I were taking a woman doing a road trip on a 12 mile strip of the Mississippi. When we got in the water, I felt all the feelings of Mountain Classroom coming back to me. I remembered the cool breeze, the wildlife all around me, and even though I was far from my house in Newburyport, it felt like I was at home. We cruised down that river, talking, sharing stories, and having a great time. This is what canoeing is all about. Spending time with friends and exploring places you can't go on foot.