CHARLES

If I would’ve reached the 0 mile marker on my Mississippi trip last year instead of taking out in New Orleans, I probably would’ve taken out in Baton Rouge this year and been satisfied with that decision.  The following two weeks were tense paddling, constant radio confirmation of our location to ships and barges, and loud camping at night.  I missed the sandbars, migrating birds, and the moments where a thought could be dwelled on for hours before being changed.  But I am thankful to have had those throughout this trip, even if it wasn’t in the ending.

Tom and I the day before we were on the river…

Tom, Bill and I on the last day on the river…

Kevin the canoeist took out at Jackson Square in New Orleans.  His desire to continue on for another three nights and four days had been lost in the idea of warm showers and comfortable beds.  Still, though section paddled, many cannot say they went from Itasca to New Orleans on the Mississippi.

Just another morning waking up on the river…

Tom and I were fortunate for low water levels which gave us “ok” camping.  The only downside was the speed in which we paddled…four miles per hour was our average for the last 100 miles.  Talk about giving you that time to reflect on all the stories you’ve gained throughout the trip.

I thought it would be interesting to answer a few questions that every person we meet asks…

What did you eat?

                Mac and cheese, pop-tarts, instant mash potatoes and stuffing, oatmeal, etc.  I craved salad and ice cream throughout the trip.  Tom had about six cases of MRE’s throughout the course of the trip.

Where did you sleep?

                It’s amazing all the places you can pitch a tent.

What was the hardest thing?

                I don’t know how to answer this question and I encourage you not to ask it to people on these trips.  I told some friends of mine to pitch a tent in their yard every night for a week before they go to sleep.  They don’t have to stay in it, just put it up before dark and take it down before work in the morning.  It is a process, a life, a routine that allows the little things like just being able to walk out of your house in the morning to not be taken advantage of for some time.

What all did you learn?

                A lot of things.  I met many people, saw many different ways to live, and was able to discover the different cultures of our nation in one journey.  Truthfully, we live in separate nations in my opinion, it all simply falls under the umbrella of “The United States of America” title.  The farmers, the Native Americans, the fisherman, the Bible Belters, etc, all think of each other differently and often have yet to experience the culture of the others.  It’s amazing how many people know the way the world works after living in one town their entire life.  I hope you can taste the sarcasm in that last line.

Do you have any future travel plans?

                Yes.  I’d like to attempt the Yellowstone River next year, go live in Vietnam for 5 months, graduate, write a book, cycle to South America, and attempt the Amazon within the next decade of my life. Excuse me; I will do these things I meant. (This response to the question often gives me the pleasure of hearing all the improbabilities of achieving these goals. My only response – there is a way to do it, I’ll figure it out.)  “Well what about wife and kids?” is usually the next topic to arise. I intend to be an outstanding father and husband, but I am 21 at the moment and refuse to be one of the dad’s who goes “I wish I would’ve…”

What’s going to happen to Bill?

                I have a fenced in backyard and a Black Lab already at my home.  He will be fine.  I have to get him use to being on a bicycle now so he can travel with me around town. Chick Magnet hahahahaha.

How do you afford these trips?

                I work my ass off.  I know many people can say the same and still could not come up with the funds after 5-6 months, but there is a way and I have found it.  I serve at a restaurant every night that I can, work during the day at my school, on my nights off I play my drum at the beach to make a few more dollars, I got rid of my car last semester and drove a scooter around so I wouldn’t have to pay insurance and could have a cheaper gas expense, etc.  It’s a sacrifice definitely. But hearing one man tell you that you are living their dream makes it all worth it, let alone hearing every man you meet say that.  I find no sacrifice easier to take than those that open up the door to traveling.

Are you going to write a book?

                That is my current contemplation actually.  Everyone says to go for it, but I have not had enough time to decide when would be the most appropriate, though I have the first three chapters outlined.

Are you happy to be home?

                I have a beautiful life in Florida.  When I travel I miss home, when I am home I miss traveling.  It is a bittersweet taste that only leaves the mouth during the first few days of transition between the two.  But I feel that the purpose of our lives is happiness, and there is always a way to find it.

Thank you sincerely for all of you who have helped along this journey.  I am honored to have each of you as a part of it.  Not just those who invited us into their homes, fed us, gave us rides, opened themselves in conversation or said they would pray for us along the way.  But also for those who simply just read and visit the website.  When I look at the numbers that steadily increase throughout the trip it is highly encouraging in the battling wind, escaping rain, and cold oatmeal type moments of the trip.   If half of the readers of this site donated $5 for the shelter, almost $5,000 could be made.

The organization I have been raising money/awareness throughout this 147 day, 3,769 mile trip…

SAFE, Shelter & Aftercare Inc. partnering with Wings of Shelter Int’l Inc.  has opened the first long term shelter in the state of Florida dedicated specifically to female minor age victims rescued out or  Human Sex  Slavery/ Trafficking.   We work with FBI, Sheriff’s Offices, ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement)-who has placed our first 4 girls in our home.  January 2010,   SAFE  house  opened its doors as a family style model with House Parents to hold 5 girls at a time.  We provide a healthy family model, education, counseling, medical needs, mentoring, while assessing the individual needs of each teen victim trapped in the deceptive, traumatizing crime of human trafficking.The program is designed for a minimum of 9 months stay because restoration is a process.  We serve on the Task Force in Lee County, and collaborate with surrounding counties to make a difference in awareness and education of the public to Florida’s shameful reputation of being #3 in human trafficking activity out of the 50 states.  We are all custodians of our community.  Thank you for your support  in our efforts to rescue and restore minor age girls that have been victims of the organized crime of sexual slavery.

For more information or to donate visit www.safe-refuge.org 

Thank you,

Charles

I love the size comparison of this photo.  You have a tugboat on the left that pushes the barges up and down the river, ocean liner in the middle, and Navy vessel on the right.  A tugboat it three times the length of our kayaks.

From Tom’s Perspective…

Mmmm… Food. So much food. It’s wonderful; I have options, and they don’t involve oatmeal mac and cheese or things from plastic!!! It’s wonderful. As I shake myself out of my amazement I walk out of the local grocery store here in Fort Meyers Florida where I am staying with Charles for 2 days while we clean our gear.

Since Baton Rouge it has been one long slog to the finish line. The scenery quickly changed into industrial plants and shipping posts. The actual paddling has been rather more stressful due to the constant fear of being run down by barge captains or ships whose displacement is approximately 160,000 tons. To put that in perspective our displacement is approximately 300 pounds apiece, which is under a millionth of the size. Yeah we’re tiny in comparison. They run aircraft carriers up the river, we haven’t seen any fortunately since they create mini-tsunamis as they pass. All joking aside though the large ship pilots have been very polite and accommodating. The last stop of the trip was at “Pilot Town” where American pilots take over foreign and domestic ships and guide them through the ever shifting lower Mississippi to New Orleans. This town was not accessible by road and was only 2 miles above our goal (the mile marker zero at Head of Passes). Here we were told to make ourselves home at the buffet. There was soft-shell and king crab. Never having had crab before, I seriously dug this one last diversion.  After the 2 quick miles we were done!

My father sagely told me to really capture the emotional moment of finishing. Unfortunately it was a little anticlimactic. To myself: “This is the end… I thought the marker was another mile on… Quick paddle ahead of Charles so I can hit the post first! Wait this is it?  Ok how am I gonna get back home?” From here it degenerated into packing gear mode interspersed by people coming up and asking where we started and looking rather flabbergasted when we told them. I personally didn’t see the big deal but was enraptured by the idea of having a roof to sleep underneath. I expect some deeper sense of meaning to emerge as I have some time to reflect on the experience. But that’s the next post.

This is the mile marker I dreamt about seeing for many months…

Day 140 – 3,500 miles complete, 240 more to go…

CHARLES

Well a few things have changed since I left my Aunt’s home.  I was greeted by about 200 paddlers on the Mississippi when I returned to it who were competing in the Phatwater river race that ended in Natchez where I regrouped with Tom and his new traveling companion Kevin.  Kevin started on the Mississippi River in Lake Itasca and they met in Memphis, his father is running support for him for the last leg of this trip.

We paddled together to Baton Rouge where I am at now, experiencing our first storms in several weeks along the way.  Our “hope to finish” date is October 22^nd at MM 0, we want to taste the saltwater (not literally, given the amount of chemicals dumped into that area but you get the point).

In a few minutes Tom and I will talk to an oceanography class at Baton Rouge Community College about our trip.  From there we are staying at a soon to be friends house (we have yet to meet him), then back to the river early tomorrow.

PS – Bill says hello.  He’s been warmly greeted by every field trip group we met at the capitol buildings here in BR and several people on the street.

I’m the guy in the corner of the bar masked by dim lighting and tobacco smoke with a novel and notebook of thoughts.

The organization I am raising money/awareness for…

-Charles

TOM

Wow… its been awhile. I will try to catch up briefly. The last few days of the Missouri river were some of the best days of the trip. Despite a threatening remenants of a tropical storm I paddled on. From Herman I paddled to New Haven and met the guys of Astral Glass Studio. I had the fortune of coming in on one the days the shop was open and got to watch them blow. After a day in Washington I pulled off and met a large consortium of river rats who volunteered for the Missouri River Relief who helped to pick up 7 tons of garbage. I laid over several days in Alton, IL in order to visit relatives and wait for a replacement tent from NEMO that they sent free of charge.

After the layover it was time to graduate to the Mississippi river. With the help of Mike Clark I got through the combined trial of fire of “the chain of rocks” and the industrial barge section. Much of the rest of the trip as been uneventful enough to record only a few events: I met two Canadians paddling the Mississippi and paddled together for half a day, I met the owners of the Pharmacy in New Madrid MO after hitting the doctor’s office, I met up with three schoolmates in order to resupply and for some extra sleep, I met “Guppy”, I stayed overnight at the Memphis yacht club in one of the best city camping spots to date, I participated in the Phat River Race of 42 miles and completed in a time under 6 hours while still outfitted with my equipment, and met up with Charles at the conclusion of the race.

I should also mention I met Kevin Dahm of Wisconsin on the river and have paddled with him for the last several hundred miles. He is making a documentary of his experiences and other relevant information; I look forward to seeing it. While Kevin is getting an interview for his video Charles and I gladly took up the offer to talk at the local community college which was arranged by Denise, a college professor I met while competing in the race.

The destination draws near and I for one am looking forward to and loathing the finish line equally. Under a week of paddling left!

Tom

So right now I’m in St. Joseph Louisiana (MM396-day 131), at my aunt’s house until Friday night where I will most likely meet up with Tom after being separated for 44 days.  He’s been paddling with a guy who is doing the length of the Mississippi river for the past week or so from what I understand.

After reflecting back, the three weeks that Tommy and I paddled together recently may have been some of the best consecutive weeks of my life, we had, unquestionably, a blast.  After leaving him I continued on to what I consider the best part of the Mississippi, just south of Helena for the next 200 miles, solo.  Although part of me wanted to stay at John Ruskey’s home for a few more days, the majority knew that these isolated moments were to be embraced and cherished, and they were.

One evening I was sitting on the end of my kayak watching the sun dip beyond the distant horizon of trees just listening to the waves wash against the shore.  A barge was pushing past, so I gave him a wave and he flashed his lights twice as if to say “goodnight”.  That was the only communication I had with someone for three days.

Butterflies, play an interesting role on these trips for me, I thoroughly enjoy them.  They’ll cross the river and make my kayak a resting stop for a moment or two before continuing on.  I had one join me for the good part of an hour the other day, named him Blue, before a breeze blew him away.  He had landed himself on every space possible, including Bill who was asleep, as always.  I tried to warn Blue of the coming wind but my attempts failed and he was forced to make the rest of the crossing.  That interaction took up five miles of paddling.

I had just gotten back from hiking through some woods and paddled outside of an inlet when I saw an Army Core of Engineers tugboat approaching.  I heard a man yell on it “kayak!”, so I stayed to the edge while it came near.  When he was parallel to me I waved and the man responded, “Hi, you’re dumb!”  Taken aback, my response was, “I’m five feet from the edge!” “Well you shouldn’t be on a kayak on the river!” he retaliated ……..First let’s throw this fact out there – the last thing you want to tell a guy who has just spent four months kayaking is that he should not be doing so.  Second of all, and most importantly, the Core is already on my bad list for trying to tame a river.  Thus, I felt it appropriate that this man be the one I lay all my anger on.  Realistically, he asked for it.  I screamed every insult I could conjure up until I had drifted around the bend several miles away.  It felt great.

It has been setting record lows at night.  Fortunately, Bill is an outstanding snuggler (get’s it from his dad haha) and we keep warm in my sleeping bag.  I’ve been sick for the past few days (be thankful as a reader I don’t wish to describe the symptoms) and look forward to this short but needed break.

Approximately two weeks left and I feel as though I can taste the saltwater at moments.
-Charles

The shelter I am raising awareness/money for –
SAFE, Shelter & Aftercare Inc. partnering with Wings of Shelter Int’l Inc. has opened the first long term shelter in the state of Florida dedicated specifically to female minor age victims rescued out or Human Sex Slavery/ Trafficking. We work with FBI, Sheriff’s Offices, ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement)-who has placed our first 4 girls in our home. January 2010, SAFE house opened its doors as a family style model with House Parents to hold 5 girls at a time. We provide a healthy family model, education, counseling, medical needs, mentoring, while assessing the individual needs of each teen victim trapped in the deceptive, traumatizing crime of human trafficking.The program is designed for a minimum of 9 months stay because restoration is a process. We serve on the Task Force in Lee County, and collaborate with surrounding counties to make a difference in awareness and education of the public to Florida’s shameful reputation of being #3 in human trafficking activity out of the 50 states. We are all custodians of our community. Thank you for your support in our efforts to rescue and restore minor age girls that have been victims of the organized crime of sexual slavery.

For more information or to donate visit www.safe-refuge.org

Two summers ago I was standing in John Ruskey’s office with my father when John said “Back when I did the river…” I asked him what that meant and he replied that him and a friend built a raft after high school and took it down the Mississippi. I immediately looked at my father and said, “I think I want to do that.” 11 months later I was back in John’s office after having paddled from Minnesota to Mississippi and said I was thinking of doing the Missouri River and eventually the Amazon. 15 months later…here I am, back at his house after just over 3,100 miles and only 663 to go. My previous parter on the Mississippi trip, Tommy Owen, now lives and works for John and Quapaw Canoe Company. I love It when someone asks “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”

A few lyrics from one of the many songs I’ve created along the course of this trip…

“Well a man once asked me what’s the hardest thing about paddlen this long.

That question is the reason that I wrote this river song, and it goes,

I love the river, she, treats me well.

No, it never gets boring, she’s got, so many stories to tell.

Some days the weathers nice, other times it, like to have it’s fun.

But whether sun or rain, every day a new life’s begun.”

“All of life’s problems begin on land” -Twain

Quick notes from my journals-

Sometimes you wish the world was with you to experience the moment, but then it wouldn’t be the same moment.

Sometimes you paddle the hate out of you. All the anger from your past gets squeezed in the micro space between your palm and the paddle while you stroke the negative from your body only to stop at the end of the day, set up a temporary home that you are thankful to have, and reflect on all the little moments while staring at the river that your emotions have been spilled into, for the past several months.

 Just saying goodnight to the sun.

This is where we slept outside of Memphis.

You know your life is beautiful when sunsets like these become routine, not unnoticed, but expected.

Bill inspecting his first encounter with a turtle, the exact type of predators he is capable of fending off hahaha.

Yes, I scare small children at times.

Bill and I reflecting on the day.

Another night.

Windy day just before Helena Arkansas.

A fun view of my “close world” on the water.

Possibly one of my favorite photos/moments on the trip, I can’t wait to paint it.

Buoy on the left, Tommy in the middle.

Another night.

This was actually me diving in the river after sitting in the sweat lodge we built.

Once again, saying goodnight.

The shelter that I am trying to raise money/awareness for -

SAFE, Shelter & Aftercare Inc. partnering with Wings of Shelter Int’l Inc.  has opened the first long term shelter in the state of Florida dedicated specifically to female minor age victims rescued out or  Human Sex  Slavery/ Trafficking.   We work with FBI, Sheriff’s Offices, ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement)-who has placed our first 4 girls in our home.  January 2010,   SAFE  house  opened its doors as a family style model with House Parents to hold 5 girls at a time.  We provide a healthy family model, education, counseling, medical needs, mentoring, while assessing the individual needs of each teen victim trapped in the deceptive, traumatizing crime of human trafficking.The program is designed for a minimum of 9 months stay because restoration is a process.  We serve on the Task Force in Lee County, and collaborate with surrounding counties to make a difference in awareness and education of the public to Florida’s shameful reputation of being #3 in human trafficking activity out of the 50 states.  We are all custodians of our community.  Thank you for your support  in our efforts to rescue and restore minor age girls that have been victims of the organized crime of sexual slavery.

For more information or to donate visit www.safe-refuge.org

- Charles

The computer here at the Memphis library only gives me 15 minutes of use, so I’ll be brief.

The other day Tommy and I built a sweat lodge out of our tarps, logs, and mud.  We spent the day reheating and steaming rocks, then running across the sandbar and swimming in the river.  Which is probably why I have had an ear infection for the past several days, but it is slowly going away.

Two nights ago I was able to paddle with the man who inspired these river trips for me, John Ruskey owner of Quapaw Canoe Company, on a moonlight paddle into Memphis.  Tommy and I slept on the point of Mud Island that night.  We were so close to Beale Street I could’ve punted a football onto it, but still far enough away to be safe.  Currently we are sleeping in the washroom at the yacht club and spending the day checking out all the local museums and music.


A few notes from my journals –

You observe all the mistakes that others take the weight of carrying the consequences of.

You find yourself after losing it in the stories of people you meet.

It’s not as much as changing your view on life as much as it is showing you that you have one.

In a few days I will be staying at Ruskey’s Home in Clarksdale Mississippi and will post more.

-Charles

The organization i am trying to raise money ($201 so far)/awareness for-
SAFE, Shelter & Aftercare Inc. partnering with Wings of Shelter Int’l Inc.  has opened the first long term shelter in the state of Florida dedicated specifically to female minor age victims rescued out or  Human Sex  Slavery/ Trafficking.   We work with FBI, Sheriff’s Offices, ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement)-who has placed our first 4 girls in our home.  January 2010,   SAFE  house  opened its doors as a family style model with House Parents to hold 5 girls at a time.  We provide a healthy family model, education, counseling, medical needs, mentoring, while assessing the individual needs of each teen victim trapped in the deceptive, traumatizing crime of human trafficking.The program is designed for a minimum of 9 months stay because restoration is a process.  We serve on the Task Force in Lee County, and collaborate with surrounding counties to make a difference in awareness and education of the public to Florida’s shameful reputation of being #3 in human trafficking activity out of the 50 states.  We are all custodians of our community.  Thank you for your support  in our efforts to rescue and restore minor age girls that have been victims of the organized crime of sexual slavery.

For more infornmation about this organization or to donate visit www.safe-refuge.org

Only 889 more miles until the Gulf of Mexico meaning 2,577 have been accomplished.

I almost feel like I’m cheating on this trip. David Millers guide book on the Missouri made it unbelievably easier to do, and I have already done this lower section to New Orleans last year so I know the location of the buffets, stores, amazing camp spots (and bad ones), etc. It’s actually been fun doing it with Tommy for the past week because we get to relive all our stories. All the difficulties of stepping into a new town off the river are eliminated because we know where to pull over before we even get there! It’s a blast.

The other night, actually several nights for that matter, we spent well over an hour collecting firewood for a massive bonfire. Though Tom has yet to leave St. Louis (he had to wait for the arrival of a new tent sine his zipper gave out), I almost wonder if the coals will still be hot enough to boil water on when he paddles by in a week or so.

Currently we are in New Madrid, which might be one of my favorite Lower Mississippi towns. It’s the location of the largest recorded Earthquake in North America in the early 1800’s causing the Mississippi River to briefly change direction making it flow north. Within a 5 minute walk from the river there is a $5 buffet that also serves breakfast at 5am (so it’s kind of a double bonus) and a library. Plus our campsite is hidden even from the most dedicated fisherman with great driftwood and shelter from sun and wind…thus; we’re taking a day off from our leisurely 30 miles per day goal.

I’m just observing.  You learn from others mistakes instead of finding it all out on your own.  I almost have to defend myself to some people and tell them; it’s not a fear of responsibility, it’s finding out what is worth being responsible for.  Need, is a powerful word. 

Life is simple at the moment.
Charles

The organization I am raising money/awareness for:

SAFE, Shelter & Aftercare Inc. partnering with Wings of Shelter Int’l Inc.  has opened the first long term shelter in the state of Florida dedicated specifically to female minor age victims rescued out or  Human Sex  Slavery/ Trafficking.   We work with FBI, Sheriff’s Offices, ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement)-who has placed our first 4 girls in our home.  January 2010,   SAFE  house  opened its doors as a family style model with House Parents to hold 5 girls at a time.  We provide a healthy family model, education, counseling, medical needs, mentoring, while assessing the individual needs of each teen victim trapped in the deceptive, traumatizing crime of human trafficking.The program is designed for a minimum of 9 months stay because restoration is a process.  We serve on the Task Force in Lee County, and collaborate with surrounding counties to make a difference in awareness and education of the public to Florida’s shameful reputation of being #3 in human trafficking activity out of the 50 states.  We are all custodians of our community.  Thank you for your support  in our efforts to rescue and restore minor age girls that have been victims of the organized crime of sexual slavery. 

www.safe-refuge.org

CHARLES

Oh man how I have missed the Mississippi, besides the spelling she’s beautiful.

Tom is just reaching St. Louis today and my long time best friend Tommy (I know, two Tom’s) Owen has been paddling with me in his canoe for the past several days.

Mike Clark of Big Muddy Adventures in St. Louis was very helpful in giving advice on how to approach the chain of rocks section.  The water was high enough to paddle through it mid-right.

We paddled through the port of St. Louis (which is arguably one of the most congested areas of barge traffic on the river) with 25mph winds on Labor Day.  I pulled ahead of Tommy because of the difficulty in keeping my balance without a paddle in the water and found a beach just before the final bridge where we camped for the night because the wind refused to die down.  About 30 minutes into the paddle I had assumed Tommy was a goner and I wanted to pull over and scout for floating gear.  But low and behold 1 hour later he came paddling around a tied up barge looking as though he had aged 10 years in the 3 hours of paddling.

Every night I listen to my weather radio to see the forecast for the area, but two nights ago I didn’t.  I knew that rain was coming and we should bunker down, but what I didn’t know was that a tropical storm was moving through…it rained biblical quantities.  Tommy was camped on the low bank, I on the mid.  At 1:45am Tommy yelled, “If I were you I would move my tent!”  The water was eroding away the dirt below our tents so we moved them up on the rocks in the pouring rain, feet away from the railroad tracks which gave us a good shake massage every 30 minutes for the remainder of the night. 
The photo below was taken from the RR track…

It is amazing how much trash we produce and how much of it ends up in the river.  Every tree has a plastic bag snagged on it.  We’ve found everything from light bulbs, bottles, a big pink ball (which is fun to kick around on the sandbars), etc.  Because Tommy has a canoe we have been picking up trash along the way.  Before we left St. Louis we already had 9 bags full. I’ll leave my tree hugging complaints for later, but one phrase always sticks in my mind, One World, One Chance.

Right now I am here with Danny Rees and Dave Hardesty who have paddled the Mississippi and heard about my trip.  They are helping me resupply here in Cape Girardeau and showing me around. 

A quick piece of my journal from months ago I thought I would share…

You sit and think of all the loves you’ve lost, all coins tossed in a sweet, heavy memory,

blanketed by the passing days, all different from the last.

You pull out pocketed contemplations, unexplainable equations involving time and emotion.

You sit,

Completely still while the world works around you.

You’d write the scenery if you felt the talent to describe it…but you can’t.

So you think about all the mental molestations that seem to have the same repetition of topics and all the illogic’s that consisted of your life on land.  Your worries and regrets are left meaning nothing to this moment

Befriend the weather and look ahead in the day.

It’s a beautiful simplicity, and as close as you can be to free.

Charles

What I am raising money/awareness for -

SAFE, Shelter & Aftercare Inc. partnering with Wings of Shelter Int’l Inc.  has opened the first long term shelter in the state of Florida dedicated specifically to female minor age victims rescued out or  Human Sex  Slavery/ Trafficking.   We work with FBI, Sheriff’s Offices, ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement)-who has placed our first 4 girls in our home.  January 2010,   SAFE  house  opened its doors as a family style model with House Parents to hold 5 girls at a time.  We provide a healthy family model, education, counseling, medical needs, mentoring, while assessing the individual needs of each teen victim trapped in the deceptive, traumatizing crime of human trafficking.The program is designed for a minimum of 9 months stay because restoration is a process.  We serve on the Task Force in Lee County, and collaborate with surrounding counties to make a difference in awareness and education of the public to Florida’s shameful reputation of being #3 in human trafficking activity out of the 50 states.  We are all custodians of our community.  Thank you for your support  in our efforts to rescue and restore minor age girls that have been victims of the organized crime of sexual slavery. 

www.safe-refuge.org

TOM’S POST FROM 9/08/10

Currently at Herman MO, the Bed & Breakfast capitol of Missouri.
 
Since St. Joseph I’ve been making it a point to get into most every town possible. At a leisurely pace of about 30 miles a day this has worked out quite well. I spent half a day in Atchison Kansas (the birthplace of Amelia Eirhart). I stopped by Ft. Leavenworth. From there I stayed with Don and his brother in Kansas City. They rolled out the red carpet and took me down to a minibrewery in the Power and Lights District. The next morning I spent 2 nights with Micah and Brandy. This was one of the more relaxing stops on the trip and afforded the chance to enjoy the mother of all pontoon docks at Brandy family’s place. I also got a tour of EXLTUBE where my friend Micah works. From KC I met my first barges. I don’t believe they are really bad as long as you are on the opposite side of the channel. I stayed the night at the CORP of Engineers KC Facility (they have a park). There I was able to get water and relax while it rained. I continued paddling for 2 day with little or no interaction with humans. I finally relented the solitude with a stop in Glasgow where I got a good meal and a shower. Here I also had the fortune of introducing myself to Lisbon Bottoms. This chute off the river cuts off a mile or two. As soon as I committed to this route the water dropped. I no longer could see water behind the fall. Nerve racking to say the least. After two not insignificant drops I got through with only a little bit of water taken on.
 
Two friends getting their PhD’s at Rolla, Jamie and Krista came down and did an overnight paddle with me. We stayed the night at the famous Cooper’s Landing where we were treated with fabulous pork steaks as well as a vocal evening camper. I met several people who had floated some or all of the Missouri. From Coop’s it was an afternoon of paddling to Jefferson City where I met two other students well on their way to their doctorate degree, Harlan and Melody. Harlan had introduced me to the “joy of home brewing”. All five of us went to “Prison Brews” an absolutely awesome little brewery with one of the best browns in my memory.
 
That night I slept near the bridge and listened to kids most of the night. I slept in and made it down to Portland, MO. Here was supposed to be a great bar; but it had closed for a month and a half for remodeling. I darn near wept. As I was near the boat ramp I found a cell phone. With some adventurous calling I found the owner’s spouse. She said she’d pick up food for me on her way to pick it up. After a little explanation of the trip, Mrs. Davidson took me home to her family where I got a wonderful hot shower and the fishing story of a lifetime. Mr. Davidson, his father, and his son, worked together to real in a 99 pound flathead catfish breaking the state record. I was kind of worried when I his 40 lb fish from that day much less one that was 150% larger than that!!! I hope I don’t flip and meet any of these fish up close on this trip. I have not seen any flying carp but am keeping an eye out since a man got a concussion from one in the past month.
 
Currently I am typing from the office of the Spirit Hill Bed and Breakfast where Gary and Marsha Leabman run a fantastic house (www.spirithill.info <http://www.spirithill.info/> ). The bed was excellent and they even put me in a room with a small Jacuzzi like tub. Needless to say it has been an amazing stay. One more thing I will take away from this visit is design plans for Gary’s kayak rack which allows his kayaks to be taken on and off his car in a matter of seconds.
 
Tom Bailey-tombaileybb@yahoo.com

Just completed the longest river on the North American continent. I can’t believe Norman Miller went up the same river that took me 97 days to go down, one day, I may take the “zen master challenge”. Now time with family in STL, then on to the lower Mississippi with Tommy Owen on Sunday morning.

It allows all the unique elements of emotion to be reflected upon almost immediately, while during constant “known to be precious before lived” type moments fill your spirit with experiences that will continue to teach you daily for a lifetime…that’s the best I can currently come up with when people ask, “how’s the trip?” In no way does this justify any portion of what spending what some would call “a long time on a river” has on you.

Random lines that have been in my head -

“Don’t let school get in the way of your education” Written by Twain, said by Mike Clark of Big Muddy Adventures

“It takes a road to go nowhere, it takes a toll to make you care” Jason Miraz

“I’m only gonna break break, break break break you heart” some hip pop song that randomly finds its way through the cracks of my mind (and there many assure you) and into my thoughts I don’t know the title or name.

That’s all, I miss the Miss already.

- Charles

The river had been high but is slowely lowering.  Two days ago was the first time I actually could see the dikes from the surface of the water and buoys were not fully submerged.  Tom and I split up over a week ago and will probably meet up somewhere between St. Louis and Memphis on the Mississippi.

The other day on the river…

I woke up to to yoga on the beach I was sleeping on, paddled to a bar with live folk music for lunch and camped out at a boat ramp after having some fishermen tie up my boat and drag me behind them while carying a net to catch flying carp.  I only caught 4 but was probably hit by at least 30.  I call it bravery only because I did not tip, otherwise, stupid. But hey, I did it once.

Bill and I laid on a sandbar for hours just reading, only to stop and dance the “robot” at the trains crossing the nearby bridge trying to get them to whistle, 2/5.

I had a construction worker yell from the bridge he was working on “You’re living my dream man!” I paddled to the complexity of the emotion let after those words for hours and simplified it to one thing, amazing.

I broke down and pulled to the bank to call my father and tell him I love him, and that I was proud to be his son.

I fell asleep with mace in one hand and my flashlight in the other only to wake the next morning and find peoples footprints all around my kayak and tent.

I had yet another man, no, overgrown boy say the comment “Well if you see any of those girls don’t be afriad to bring them around here,” after I told them I was trying to raise money for women who have been trafficked into the sex slave industry.  One of the moments where you don’t even bother to fake a smile.

I felt like a badass pulling over at a boat ramp in the thunder and rain and throwing my tarp over a Lewis and Clark sign for shelter.

I won $20 on the penny slot machines, making it $90 for the shelter.

I sat at dinner table with a family and talked about all the things we took for granted.

I decided I have seen more than my share of Great Blue Herons and almost posted a sign on my kayak “WANTED: Eclectic Variety of Native Birds”.

I showered with a hose in the basement of a bait house while whistling the happiest tune I know.

I laid with my head towards the mesh door of my tent so I could look at the stars and avoid falling asleep because I realized 2/3 of the trip was over.

Everyday on the river…

I have people tell me I’m living their dream.

I watch the world work around me while I paddle through it.

I fall more in love with the moments.

I feel free.

But now as I sit at this computer I can feel her waiting for me, and for that, I love her.

-          Charles

TOM

Reporting from St. Joseph Missouri:

For the record: I have nothing against Aerosmith. I am not such a fan of leaving kayaks (even hidden) underneath a bridge frequented by vagrants (myself included) or ear blasting sound.

After Omaha Charles and I had split for the day intending to camp together. As I drifted I was lucky enough to be hailed by Kyle. He was making an over night trip down to Nebraska City in a small Old Town kayak. With Charles’s directions we arrived at his camp and found him at the local bar (not a quarter mile walk). It was quite the happening place. The next day Kyle took us back to his “crib” where I did maintenance on my always irritating skeg and we were on our way by nightfall.
After Charles and I split for pacing issues (60 mile days, while feasible, is more than I care for) I have been enjoying the scenery of the river. As ever the blue herons are nearly a swarm and I’ve drifted less then 10ft from them. I have had little company except for them. Last night I pulled over in the quickly darkening evening. I had been misinformed on the location of the St. Joe’s Casino and had gone past the last noted campsite. I met Mike and Theresa who were kind enough to let me stay in the yard. They had just gotten back from Chili’s and offered me a whole leftover rack of ribs. The cartoon of a character dropping a rack of ribs down their mouth and pulling it out as just bones is rather apt. Along with an ice cold beer this deeply hit the spot. I thank them again. After allowing rain clouds to pass over in the morning I was on my way down to the town. I pulled out at Terrible’s Casino and had a great buffet. I have since gotten a ride into town and toured 3 museums including the Glore Physiatric Museum which was rather eerie. I once again resupplied on reading material and look forward to visiting a friend in KC.

-Tom

SAFE, Shelter & Aftercare Inc. partnering with Wings of Shelter Int’l Inc.  has opened the first long term shelter in the state of Florida dedicated specifically to female minor age victims rescued out or  Human Sex  Slavery/ Trafficking.   We work with FBI, Sheriff’s Offices, ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement)-who has placed our first 4 girls in our home.  January 2010,   SAFE  house  opened its doors as a family style model with House Parents to hold 5 girls at a time.  We provide a healthy family model, education, counseling, medical needs, mentoring, while assessing the individual needs of each teen victim trapped in the deceptive, traumatizing crime of human trafficking.The program is designed for a minimum of 9 months stay because restoration is a process.  We serve on the Task Force in Lee County, and collaborate with surrounding counties to make a difference in awareness and education of the public to Florida’s shameful reputation of being #3 in human trafficking activity out of the 50 states.  We are all custodians of our community.  Thank you for your support  in our efforts to rescue and restore minor age girls that have been victims of the organized crime of sexual slavery.

www.safe-refuge.org

After leaving the library yesterday Tom and I found a ride back to our kayaks that were hidden behind some weeds on a steep muddy bank of the river.  We both nearly fell in trying to get back into them and paddle/drifted to the next bridge where we saw two police officers on motorcycles and asked if we could camp underneath of it.  “The only ones who would have a problem with it would be us, and we don’t have a problem with it.”

They informed us of an Aerosmith concert taking place within a mile of the river and told us we would be safe there for the night and that they would alert the other officers.

Tom not being a fan of arguably one of the greatest rock bands of all times wanted to stay and watch the boats.  I didn’t fight him in this want haha.  I purchased one of the last 94 remaining tickets and found myself in the nosebleed section next to two big fans, Robert and Judy, who bought me a beer during intermission.  The rest of the evening resulted in what normal concerts are known for…drunken people falling in the stands screaming at the top of their lungs to words they can’t hear because the noise is so deafening…and I was right there with them, minus the drunken part.

Afterwards I walked back to the bridge in awe that they can still rock for no less than 2 ½ hours after over 30 years of touring to find Tom wide awake on his deflated air mattress (it’s had a hole in it since the first week, I told him to buy a Thermarest but he didn’t want to listen :p).  I heard music coming from a bar near buy and decided to check it out.

Eventually I found myself playing bongo’s (I play a variety of different drums at home) to Latin music and eventually dancing with a group that meets there every Thursday night to dance until 1am when I finally decided it was just too much for one day and I needed some sleep.

I awoke this morning to the sound of thunder and the mist of rain water blowing in the wind.  I love waking up under bridges, especially in the rain.

Currently I am back at the Omaha Library after waiting outside with the mob of homeless people for it to open to update this site one final time before we push on, though the weather doesn’t seem to want that to happen right now.

Once again – I spend the days dreaming of all the things I want to do in life and the nights dreaming of waking up, literally living the dream.

-Charles