tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22814614317476557812024-03-13T22:38:26.757-07:00Team Broad AdventuresBiking a long way
while looking good and winningKara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-24034685989162206902012-02-28T09:54:00.000-08:002012-02-28T09:54:33.260-08:00We're Moving!Hey Friends,<br />
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We've decided to move our blog. Our new address is<br />
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<a href="http://broadadventures.tumblr.com/">http://broadadventures.tumblr.com/</a><br />
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Please stick with us!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CczFCRdJatI/T00SE9JyGFI/AAAAAAAAAh0/j-hSq8n_Y3o/s1600/IMG_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CczFCRdJatI/T00SE9JyGFI/AAAAAAAAAh0/j-hSq8n_Y3o/s320/IMG_0083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With bikes near the beginning of it all: The French Broad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-25238898346566528802012-01-25T07:37:00.000-08:002012-01-25T07:37:27.907-08:00Two Lil' Girls in a Canoe<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Goal to New Orleans: 1,859 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Paddled since last blog: 223 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Total paddled: 1,784 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">To go: 75 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Current location: the Gulf!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Granola bars consumed since last blog: 16 Total: 153</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Fun Size Snickers: 2 more bars Total: 53</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Beignets consumed: 12<br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Days Paddled: 60</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Before arriving in Baton Rouge, we were discussing the fact that we were getting a little tired of paddling due to the monotony of the mighty Mississippi. After Baton Rouge, the monotony ended, but we should have been careful what we wished for. The banks were filled with industry and fleets of barges solid until New Orleans 140 miles later. We also began to encounter gigantic ocean-going ships. The more complicated logistics due to this increase in river traffic decreased our pace and added more colorful radio conversations. Within this closer proximity, we were called:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">. Two females in kayaks. Betcha they're more fit than we are. Think we can get a date?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">. Two guys kayakin'</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">. They look like driftwood</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">. A couple of rough women</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">and our personal favorite:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">. Two lil' girls in a canoe</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Beyond New Orleans, the river traffic lessened with almost only tankers passing and overtaking. This was welcome and refreshing. It was hard to find camping, but the levees provided for public land with privacy although with the risk of flooding. Louisiana provided a hot ecosystem for gnats to thrive. Thankfully, gnats are crepuscular so Liddell could stop freaking out after dark. (YES! Discovered something that actually made Liddell freak out.) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">So the "Gulf of Mexico" which we paddled to on Saturday may or may not have been Baptiste Collette Bayou.... But don't worry, we tasted the water and it may or may not have been salty. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">As we reflect on the trip as a whole we could not have looked as good or won as much without the help and support of friends along the way. We want to acknowledge and thank the following people who made this trip possible. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Bette Fitzgerald and Mike Smith for providing boats and assorted gear</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Karen Grosskreutz for 4 hours of gear R and D</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Erin and Mike for their Ducky</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Liz G. and James for hosting us in a fantastic basement in Asheville</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Tracy, Bette, and Liz for the send off</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Dock, Buckwheat, John Green, and Chrissie for paddling with us through Asheville</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Team Shannon for possibly driving more miles than we paddled (with bells on)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Grandma Hruby for hosting us twice in Florence</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">K. Higg and Jason for hosting us in Chattanooga</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Katherine Becksvoort for helping us launch in huge waves in Chattanooga</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Annica for hiking to the highest point in West Tennessee with us</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Callie and John David for hosting us in Memphis</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">McCall and Jordan for teaching us about Swamp People and hosting us in Baton Rouge</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">K. Doss and Andrew for showing us a good time in New Orleans</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Lauren Sweeney for our favorite blog comment</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Susan Lanier for being Liddell's post office box Diva</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Windy and Bette for giving us insight and advice having done this trip in 1997</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We also came to a big decision with the "closing" of this trip. Since we were already planning on starting the Pacific Crest Trail in San Diego in April, we're going to bike from the river to the trailhead. 2,200 miles, why not? Look for more action from Team Broad Adventures in March. Whoo leg muscles!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSZb5SuJMdE/TyAgdzqDK_I/AAAAAAAAAf0/lhYpTrqBnXY/s1600/IMG_0022_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSZb5SuJMdE/TyAgdzqDK_I/AAAAAAAAAf0/lhYpTrqBnXY/s320/IMG_0022_4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Orleans Harbor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fX7PhDLSTDQ/TyAgiXx3Y5I/AAAAAAAAAf8/3JVYXyLXr8Q/s1600/IMG_0044_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fX7PhDLSTDQ/TyAgiXx3Y5I/AAAAAAAAAf8/3JVYXyLXr8Q/s320/IMG_0044_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean fog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EW74rQy-lE/TyAgslVTAHI/AAAAAAAAAgE/W9STcdaj8_I/s1600/P1170028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EW74rQy-lE/TyAgslVTAHI/AAAAAAAAAgE/W9STcdaj8_I/s320/P1170028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kara feels this way about mud</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fbtbd68A204/TyAg7PQh-cI/AAAAAAAAAgU/A2gZYmSIJmQ/s1600/P1190055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fbtbd68A204/TyAg7PQh-cI/AAAAAAAAAgU/A2gZYmSIJmQ/s320/P1190055.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dang! Ships are big.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtA6Jm49tC4/TyAhCAkldxI/AAAAAAAAAgc/RVkTIpRD4F0/s1600/P1210006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtA6Jm49tC4/TyAhCAkldxI/AAAAAAAAAgc/RVkTIpRD4F0/s320/P1210006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timer mishap</td></tr>
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</span></span>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-50535247776775556402012-01-23T07:49:00.001-08:002012-01-23T07:49:20.906-08:00Wah hoo!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UXELK2pRnsc/Tx2Bf1u3zCI/AAAAAAAAAfs/Ie1nxbCoYsY/s640/blogger-image--448583168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UXELK2pRnsc/Tx2Bf1u3zCI/AAAAAAAAAfs/Ie1nxbCoYsY/s640/blogger-image--448583168.jpg" /></a></div>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-21926191208153715492012-01-14T20:08:00.000-08:002012-01-14T20:09:56.293-08:00Swamp People<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Goal to New Orleans: 1,865 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Paddled since last blog: 229 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Total paddled: 1,561 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">To go: 304 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Current location: Baton Rouge</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Granola bars consumed since last blog: 16 Total: 137</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Fun Size Snickers: 6 more bars Total: 51</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Days Paddled: 53</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We have made it to Baton Rouge (translation: French: hot dog). We paddled two days through extreme fog where we decided our safest bet was to stay right along shore. We used our nautical band radio to talk to a barge parked along shore and the nice captain told us about Channel 13. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Paddling Lesson #13</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">If you are monitoring a channel expecting to hear barge captains talking, and they NEVER talk to each other, you are probably monitoring the wrong channel.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Now we know they talk all the time, topics include: what side they are passing on (1 or 2), the new automatic fog horn, and how much they hate kayakers. They assume that we don't have a radio and can't hear them question our sanity on Channel 13. Wrong! But Liddell doesn't like confrontation, so they still don't know. We have initiated conversations and gotten kind responses. In all honesty, most conversations and interactions have been positive, but one captain was a douchebag. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Some of our avid readers have been asking us what we think about while paddling. We have trouble answering this question due to the depth of intellectuality, but here it goes:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">the water is sparkly that stick looks like a gremlin i wonder what kind of bird that is when will liddell have to pee again i'm hungry woah that tree has leaves i think it's been 3 minutes since i looked at my watch, oh crap it's been 4 how long will it take us to paddle to that red leaf up there cream cheese sounds good i haven't seen a green buoy in a while the green buoys are called can buoys red buoys are nun buoys when the barge captains say one whistle it means passing on the right like in america man some barge captains don't like us most are actually nice though i wonder if they've had bad experiences with kayakers my porgies are wet it seems like the river is turning left now i'm hungry that cloud looks like a giant staple remover i wonder if we can race this barge fried foods sound good man this sparkly water is going to give liddell really bad sunglasses burn that stick looks like a loch ness monster i wonder if that's a white pelican....... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We plan on getting to the Gulf of Mexico in about a week! Then we'll paddle the remaining 65ish miles of the French Broad when it has more water in it. Until next time, remember</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Paddling Lesson #7567</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">On the Mississippi River, fog will never be mist. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tiVoNVJSX5I/TxJQ2qY5aoI/AAAAAAAAAdo/U1ha-QB6O1Q/s640/blogger-image--347915871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tiVoNVJSX5I/TxJQ2qY5aoI/AAAAAAAAAdo/U1ha-QB6O1Q/s1600/blogger-image--347915871.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">birds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bZtfzkkiqFc/TxJQ2wE-1eI/AAAAAAAAAdw/2heVMbqhICY/s640/blogger-image-1455952294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bZtfzkkiqFc/TxJQ2wE-1eI/AAAAAAAAAdw/2heVMbqhICY/s1600/blogger-image-1455952294.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kara's dream home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pKatzI-qYpE/TxJQ3Wy-zoI/AAAAAAAAAd4/MHUk0eqT8sk/s640/blogger-image-1986736678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pKatzI-qYpE/TxJQ3Wy-zoI/AAAAAAAAAd4/MHUk0eqT8sk/s1600/blogger-image-1986736678.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SK4WcQHCihc/TxJQ3XqNJMI/AAAAAAAAAeA/HezrMsWlEig/s640/blogger-image--1069237465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SK4WcQHCihc/TxJQ3XqNJMI/AAAAAAAAAeA/HezrMsWlEig/s1600/blogger-image--1069237465.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PDGRNdePxUU/TxJQ3r0xybI/AAAAAAAAAeI/rvYFmLDPSpU/s640/blogger-image-44284593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PDGRNdePxUU/TxJQ3r0xybI/AAAAAAAAAeI/rvYFmLDPSpU/s1600/blogger-image-44284593.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Dog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-26407302351256109332012-01-07T15:56:00.001-08:002012-01-07T16:35:16.570-08:00Ambient SoundsGoal to New Orleans: 1865 miles<br />
Paddled since last blog: 278 miles<br />
Total paddled: 1332 miles<br />
To go: 533 miles<br />
Current location: near Lake Providence, LA on the Mississippi River<br />
Granola bars consumed since last blog: 17 Total: 121<br />
Fun Size Snickers: 2 more bars Total: 45<br />
Days Paddled: 47<br />
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We left Memphis on December 31, 2011. That night we saw fireworks "waaaay out there." We can see really far because it is so flat! We were inspired by how festive they made us feel so saved our daily allotment of Lindor chocolate balls for midnight. We woke up at midnight and counted down then watched the ball(s) drop. <br />
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Then on New Year's Day we met with Team Shannon who had gone to the Liberty Bowl (Go Dores!) the day before. We had a tailgate in the Fitzgerald's Casino parking lot in Tunica, Mississippi. <br />
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We have left Arkansas so hopefully Liddell will stop singing:<br />
"Arkansas, Arkansas, I just love old Arkansas.<br />
I love my Ma, I love my Pa, but I just love old Arkansas"<br />
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We have finished our longest read aloud book, "Rising Tide," and though we don't play favorites, this is one of our top four thus far on the trip. The book was completely based on the lower Mississippi so we enjoyed paddling right by places we were reading about. <br />
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Paddling Lesson 87<br />
Don't paddle under bridge construction. <br />
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After paddling by Greenville, MS, we chose a campsite near a parked barge. While reading "Rising Tide" a tugboat with 42 barges pulled up right off shore of our campsite and shined bright lights on our campsite for about an hour. Though it was difficult to tell with lights in our eyes, we believe that smaller tugs came and took one barge at a time from the large tow. But again, it was extremely difficult to comprehend the process. Then, we were awakened by the loudest closest motor y'all have ever heard. Though only 5:45 am, we considered getting up and leaving because we wouldn't be able to sleep more. We were happily surprised when we woke up at 7:45 (with the motors still loud). Apparently the ambient sound helped us sleep through our alarm. We packed up and it was a little disconcerting having captains in 3 tugs watching the whole morning routine. One of the tows was so close, Kara nearly hit it when getting off the beach. That one had barges with liquids and every barge had its own engine that was big and loud. <br />
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Paddling Lesson 46<br />
Don't camp near parked barges. <br />
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We've seen some large birds of prey and think that they may be immature bald eagles... because of the farting. <br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KQrlbVU3Ho0/TwjjAVbeFjI/AAAAAAAAAao/0bMJ8l_NOCM/s640/blogger-image--253106234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KQrlbVU3Ho0/TwjjAVbeFjI/AAAAAAAAAao/0bMJ8l_NOCM/s640/blogger-image--253106234.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p5pv3rwdbHQ/TwjjAsryz9I/AAAAAAAAAaw/ZxdWhVIwJ1g/s640/blogger-image--952040717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p5pv3rwdbHQ/TwjjAsryz9I/AAAAAAAAAaw/ZxdWhVIwJ1g/s640/blogger-image--952040717.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FKWMP-bEdeg/TwjjBcm-27I/AAAAAAAAAa4/Crhw4I6wblA/s640/blogger-image--2057600023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FKWMP-bEdeg/TwjjBcm-27I/AAAAAAAAAa4/Crhw4I6wblA/s640/blogger-image--2057600023.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J6bFC9c48QE/TwjjBzyXq1I/AAAAAAAAAbA/8-gjkqpYzHE/s640/blogger-image-854338752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J6bFC9c48QE/TwjjBzyXq1I/AAAAAAAAAbA/8-gjkqpYzHE/s640/blogger-image-854338752.jpg" /></a></div>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-54289307838971333642011-12-30T17:09:00.000-08:002011-12-30T17:09:18.367-08:00MISSISSIPPI RIVERGoal to New Orleans: 1865 miles<br />
Paddled since last blog: 237 miles<br />
Total paddled: 1059 miles<br />
To go: 806 miles<br />
Current location: Memphis, TN on the Mississippi River<br />
Granola bars consumed since last blog: 18 Total: 104<br />
Fun Size Snickers: 4 more bars Total: 43<br />
Days paddled: 40<br />
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Since our last blog post, we have been riding the current of the Mighty Mississippi River. We continue to be astounded by how enormously huge this river is. We were also surprised by the irregularities of the current that presumably are caused by features far below the surface. The topography of the Mississippi River valley is notably flatter than that of the French Broad, the Tennessee, or the Ohio. It's nucking futs how flat this region is! In fact, according to John Barry in <i>Rising Tide</i>, our current book, the average slope of the river is, "3 inches to a mile." <br />
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We have started filling large water jugs at municipal sources as opposed to filtering the river. We chose to do this because the river is brown and drains 41% of the continental United States! And as we all know, Americans are dirty and we don't want their wash water. Another interesting feature of the Mississippi is the mud. Although the bank often appears to be packed sand, it's usually mud. By topping her boots in the mud, Kara intimately learned<br />
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Paddling Lesson #79<br />
The reason you've heard of Mississippi Mud is it sticks with you.<br />
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Not knowing what kind of mileage we would have, we were excited Christmas Day by our distance record of 40 miles. We felt so empowered by our feat that we decided to push the envelope and go for gold. The idea was beyond the pail, but we challenged ourselves to paddle 60 miles in one day. Our strategy involved 1) No hot breakfast, 2) Actually getting up with the alarm, 3) Skip lunch and opt for granola bars while on the water, 4) Paddle until dark. Though we did achieve our goal, we learned<br />
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Paddling Lesson #27<br />
If you think paddling 60 miles and eating nothing but granola bars is a good idea, you're wrong.<br />
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Now we are in Memphis enjoying much needed showers and laundry.<br />
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PS We saw the Delta Mariner again, this time headed back down river.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zzrlzMzyV1I/Tv5bE3oCukI/AAAAAAAAAUI/YO6WmMW8aQ8/s640/blogger-image-493057503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zzrlzMzyV1I/Tv5bE3oCukI/AAAAAAAAAUI/YO6WmMW8aQ8/s640/blogger-image-493057503.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gHZxIgIr2BQ/Tv5bFldtfSI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/i7-EQ_BiVD8/s640/blogger-image--1591720607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gHZxIgIr2BQ/Tv5bFldtfSI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/i7-EQ_BiVD8/s640/blogger-image--1591720607.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kYmVZaB3XMc/Tv5bGB7zDQI/AAAAAAAAAUY/uD-ANjIwaJQ/s640/blogger-image--243678852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kYmVZaB3XMc/Tv5bGB7zDQI/AAAAAAAAAUY/uD-ANjIwaJQ/s640/blogger-image--243678852.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-saAe7p3vBNU/Tv5bGpvw7AI/AAAAAAAAAUg/HgGKmLx5I4Q/s640/blogger-image-364259348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-saAe7p3vBNU/Tv5bGpvw7AI/AAAAAAAAAUg/HgGKmLx5I4Q/s640/blogger-image-364259348.jpg" /></a></div>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-72583479950502209772011-12-23T16:00:00.001-08:002011-12-30T16:02:39.674-08:00There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch?Goal to New Orleans: 1865 miles<br />
Paddled since last blog: 122 miles<br />
Total paddled: 822 miles<br />
To go: 1043 miles<br />
Current location: Illinois on the Ohio River <br />
Granola bars consumed since last blog: 12<br />
Total: 86<br />
Fun Size Snickers: 4 more bars<br />
Total: 39<br />
Days paddled: 34<br />
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We had a great visit with Annica with free hot showers, Super Walmart resupply, watching a multiple hour arrest go down, Ranger Justin, and hiking to the highest point in West Tennessee (669 feet). We learned <br />
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Paddling Lesson #112<br />
If there's a warrant for your arrest, don't park where park rangers patrol. <br />
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We entered Kentucky and paddled next to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area which has elk and bison! We saw a bunch of bald eagles. If anybody knows what an adolescent bald eagle looks like, let us know in a comment because we think we saw several... We also paddled up close to a large flock of white pelicans! That was cool. <br />
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There's been a lot of barges, a majority carrying coal. In Kentucky, barge captains wave back to us! As we were finishing locking through Kentucky Lock, a barge operator actually radioed us. The barges have been good neighbors to us on the river and extended their reach to shore....<br />
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We decided it was about time for a rainy lunch when we happened upon a gazebo. We happily paddled toward it and we noticed a man with a camo boat using the ramp. We were surprised by his cotton wearing in the rain and were confused what the fuck he was doing. We had a short interaction as we darted to the gazebo. He quickly sped off in his boat leaving his van on the ramp, and while we were eating lunch, we were commenting on how slowly the passing barge was going. While surveying the scene, we saw our boater man pull up and make an exchange with a person on board. Then the barge sped up and the man returned to the boat ramp. Upon returning, the man headed towards us with a crate and was disappointed to discover how quickly we had eaten our lunch. After some confusion, he explained that when he told the barge chef what we were doing, she packaged a warm lunch for us. It contained 2 CoolWhip containers of gumbo (duct taped with love to prevent spills), fried shrimp, fried catfish, French fries, 2 Sprites, and even spoons! Christmas came early and this has made 5 great meals for Liddell. Best barge exchange yet!<br />
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Today we celebrated three major milestones. We completed our through paddle of the 652 mile Tennessee River, we visited Paducah, Kentucky, and we arrived in Illinois. <br />
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Our current read aloud book "With A Southern Accent" written by Liddell's Great Aunt Viola provides<br />
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Paddling Lesson #12<br />
If you can't sell corn on the ear, sell it on foot. <br />
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Merry Christmas to all! And remember during your holiday festivities<br />
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Paddling Lesson #84<br />
If you choose to cool your beverage in the river, be sure to tie it up. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Qz0WcLSueEw/TvUgNr-4XtI/AAAAAAAAAT4/mnuG5L32-DY/s640/blogger-image-1854103185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Qz0WcLSueEw/TvUgNr-4XtI/AAAAAAAAAT4/mnuG5L32-DY/s640/blogger-image-1854103185.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck blind with lots o' decoys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IGVGx7g7wS0/TvUgOJpoGLI/AAAAAAAAAUA/QHT17atUQN4/s640/blogger-image-912008322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IGVGx7g7wS0/TvUgOJpoGLI/AAAAAAAAAUA/QHT17atUQN4/s640/blogger-image-912008322.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coal from Kentucky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mObNCWIYZNQ/TvUgM8VRk5I/AAAAAAAAATo/qLY3Dec5UNE/s640/blogger-image--1116016772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mObNCWIYZNQ/TvUgM8VRk5I/AAAAAAAAATo/qLY3Dec5UNE/s640/blogger-image--1116016772.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned grain silo that's actually 5 stories high, bottom 2 are flooded</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-91748886473123370532011-12-16T14:02:00.001-08:002011-12-30T15:59:06.136-08:00We May or May Not be Hauling Rocket PartsGoal to New Orleans: 1865 miles<br />
Paddled since last blog: 161 miles<br />
Total paddled: 700 miles<br />
To go: 1165 miles<br />
Current location: Nathan Bedford Forrest Tennessee State Park <br />
Granola bars consumed since last blog: 8<br />
Total: 74<br />
Fun Size Snickers: 4 more bars<br />
Total: 35<br />
Days paddled: 29<br />
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We are having a tent day in the lovely state park about 120 miles west of Nashville, Tennessee. Still on the Tennessee River, we are just waiting for Kara's friend Annica's weekend to start so we can go hiking... Hopefully our legs will be able to handle that (and in rubber boots!). We are early because we have had current since Pickwick dam, about 100 miles. Wah hoo! <br />
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We've been having some great campfires. As y'all know, campfires are community builders and thought provokers. We've been pondering life's mysteries including, but not limited to, what these broads will do between adventures and rabies. Campfires have also facilitated:<br />
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Paddling Lesson # 57 <br />
Don't cut your palms with firewood because paddling requires healthy palms. <br />
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Another kayaker?! As we were leaving Florence, Grandma said, "Maybe you'll see another kayaker today!" We scoffed. Low and behold after 450 miles of no kayak sightings, we met Ed, a local out for a Saturday paddle. We excitedly paddled towards him to say hello. After a nice chat we parted ways, then he shouted back a lunch invitation, "Are you broads hungry?" We elected to keep paddling. <br />
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Many of our adoring fans have been asking what we think about all day. Here lately we've been dreaming about owning shit like islands, riverfront lots, peninsulas, house boats, duck blinds, and beer. We enjoy discussing not what these belongings will do for us but what we will do for them. During one of these musings, we were awakened from our daydreams by a big ass weird boat quickly coming around a corner. So curious was this boat that we looked it up on our Smart Phone and rejoiced in knowing the Delta Mariner carries rocket components for NASA! We also found out that it only takes it about 50 hours to get from New Orleans to Decatur, Alabama (takes us 1.5 months going downriver!). Dang!!<br />
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Special shout out to all those finishing semesters at school right now. And remember <br />
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Paddling Lesson #34 <br />
Try not to get Beggar's Lice in your underwear. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4xiyypm9n4g/TuvBgcbmqhI/AAAAAAAAATI/9MZYg9Qar-E/s640/blogger-image-57776465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4xiyypm9n4g/TuvBgcbmqhI/AAAAAAAAATI/9MZYg9Qar-E/s640/blogger-image-57776465.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kara with Grandma Hruby in Florence, Al</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ny5CIMRyh3I/TuvBl-v_KwI/AAAAAAAAATQ/5RJqmITDca0/s640/blogger-image-1338543873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ny5CIMRyh3I/TuvBl-v_KwI/AAAAAAAAATQ/5RJqmITDca0/s640/blogger-image-1338543873.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delta Mariner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8XfmTmszlCQ/TuvB5FY2IeI/AAAAAAAAATY/CjCGWm-re5U/s640/blogger-image-1556839621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8XfmTmszlCQ/TuvB5FY2IeI/AAAAAAAAATY/CjCGWm-re5U/s640/blogger-image-1556839621.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House prospect</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EtDRif8-a7E/TuvCDjVtEaI/AAAAAAAAATg/pqgl9mEPVmk/s640/blogger-image--1672910295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EtDRif8-a7E/TuvCDjVtEaI/AAAAAAAAATg/pqgl9mEPVmk/s640/blogger-image--1672910295.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Hs3aKjFCfJE/Tuu_xYu97sI/AAAAAAAAATA/XcZ2sTZDUtU/s640/blogger-image-1320085721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Hs3aKjFCfJE/Tuu_xYu97sI/AAAAAAAAATA/XcZ2sTZDUtU/s640/blogger-image-1320085721.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited about Ed, the only other kayaker we've seen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-86152936697339105832011-12-09T12:06:00.000-08:002011-12-09T12:06:08.575-08:00Home of Meow MixGoal to New Orleans: 1865 miles<br />
Paddled since last blog: 119 miles<br />
Total paddled: 539 miles<br />
To go: 1326 miles<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Current location: In Florence, Alabama</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Granola bars consumed since last blog: 14</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Total: 66</div>Fun Size Snickers: 4 more bars<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Total: 31</div>Days of paddling: 23<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We've made it to Florence, Alabama to Grandma's house again. Since we blogged last, we paddled across the biggest lake in Alabama, Lake Guntersville and interacted with some authentic Alabama homies. It started with some young people who proclaimed "Y'all ain't got no fishin poes!" Then an angler who stated "Y'all ar brayver than me." At lunch, an older gentleman heading out onto the water said, "Y'all er more of a man than Iyem!" Another old man talked to us out of his idling Chevy pickup while we were having lunch. In the course of 20 minutes, he hit on a number of topics including, but not limited to; alligators, big cats, bears, pickles, diapers, and 56 years of marriage to a woman who still cooks for him. Yesterday at the Wheeler LocknDam, while waiting for barge traffic for two hours, we listened in on radio conversation between the lock master and barge driver. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Lock Master: Once this upriver barge gets through, we need y'all to tie up 'cause we've got two kayaks locking down and we don't want them to meet chu and I'll just hold them in there 'til yer secured.</div> Barge Captain: I'm sorry, did you say <em>kayaks</em>?<br />
Lock Master: Yes sir I did. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Barge Captain: (through not so muffled laughter) Okay</div>Apparently, not that many people kayak here this time of year and on such a long trip..... We don't understand why because after our first experience of "wintery mix" (or, as Kara likes to say, snain), we still think this trip is a good idea. <br />
<br />
Highlights: <br />
-Lots of birds<br />
-Two locks in one day<br />
-Strong winds!<br />
-Nautical band radio jargon<br />
-Current<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7WJltglTmzo/TuJopgKvo6I/AAAAAAAAASQ/9mHRg38zTQ4/s640/blogger-image-1073702574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7WJltglTmzo/TuJopgKvo6I/AAAAAAAAASQ/9mHRg38zTQ4/s320/blogger-image-1073702574.jpg" width="240" /></a>-Decatur Alabama: Home of Meow Mix</div>-Lots of barges<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LOaOKD_LhkU/TuJnhudvaBI/AAAAAAAAARQ/WYbZeq1G7bo/s640/blogger-image-294660016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LOaOKD_LhkU/TuJnhudvaBI/AAAAAAAAARQ/WYbZeq1G7bo/s320/blogger-image-294660016.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-51VPnyHZ5JI/TuJnh1DuTiI/AAAAAAAAARY/IesWrytJ-W8/s640/blogger-image--1103422303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-51VPnyHZ5JI/TuJnh1DuTiI/AAAAAAAAARY/IesWrytJ-W8/s320/blogger-image--1103422303.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l5hDzTePwE8/TuJni58AMDI/AAAAAAAAARw/qACwv-Iw-c4/s640/blogger-image--1377563811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l5hDzTePwE8/TuJni58AMDI/AAAAAAAAARw/qACwv-Iw-c4/s320/blogger-image--1377563811.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JDr1u76mvh8/TuJnisDnEPI/AAAAAAAAARo/CGz5wmY9Fbk/s640/blogger-image--1438335188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JDr1u76mvh8/TuJnisDnEPI/AAAAAAAAARo/CGz5wmY9Fbk/s320/blogger-image--1438335188.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YV59_8i1n9M/TuJoqOGPu6I/AAAAAAAAASY/UMjoWTFQy7g/s640/blogger-image--1799996355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YV59_8i1n9M/TuJoqOGPu6I/AAAAAAAAASY/UMjoWTFQy7g/s320/blogger-image--1799996355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-locFRLcYafI/TuJoq4BQOOI/AAAAAAAAASo/r1oIu8DKmDk/s640/blogger-image-1678400130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-locFRLcYafI/TuJoq4BQOOI/AAAAAAAAASo/r1oIu8DKmDk/s320/blogger-image-1678400130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R28s939Mq6w/TuJorDyHx7I/AAAAAAAAASw/4C6VeI2_870/s640/blogger-image-1633532969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R28s939Mq6w/TuJorDyHx7I/AAAAAAAAASw/4C6VeI2_870/s320/blogger-image-1633532969.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-69113802325303188082011-12-09T10:08:00.000-08:002011-12-09T10:14:53.246-08:00Welcome to AlabamaGoal to New Orleans: 1865 miles<br />
Paddled since last blog: 95 miles<br />
Total paddled: 420 miles<br />
To go: 1445 miles<br />
Current location: In Alabama on the Tennessee River<br />
Granola bars consumed since last blog: 8<br />
Total: 52<br />
Fun Size Snickers: 4 more bars<br />
Total: 27<br />
Days of paddling: 18<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Its been about 2 weeks since our last blog and boy has a lot happened! We had an awesome Thanksgiving with Team Shannon. Kara got to shoot a real gun for the first time. Then we went to Florence (Alabama not Italy) and had a visit with Grandma Hruby. Then on Wednesday we returned to the Chickamauga Dam to resume paddling. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ldrEXLqJz0c/Ttq_6Xvc6KI/AAAAAAAAAOs/7_PwhJ8Scjc/s640/blogger-image-1470132779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ldrEXLqJz0c/Ttq_6Xvc6KI/AAAAAAAAAOs/7_PwhJ8Scjc/s320/blogger-image-1470132779.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Turns out, it had rained a lot in the Chattanooga area, some reports 5-7 inches, causing water to spill over the dam and creating waves at our put in. We attracted a crowd of on lookers while launching. First the police man who asked "Are you sure you can handle that water?" Then the Chattanooga Fire Department who were less doubtful and more curious. With a push from Katherine Becksvoort, we were on the quick moving water. The current was noteworthy, it only took us two hours to paddle 15 miles through Chattanooga to Wilson Island. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Highlights of the last several days:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-International Tortilla Awareness Day was December 1. We are very aware that we left our 30 tortillas in Liddell's car. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-Alabama Duck Season Awareness Day was today, December 3rd. We again are very aware as it is hard not to be with all the gun shots. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The question that we seem to be answering the most is about camping. We have generally had very good campsites. We aim to be on public land every night. Usually we're on islands but sometimes wildlife refuges or preserves. We have camped on private property due to lack of options and in that circumstance we choose ones that are well hidden from the property and don't seem to be frequented by the owners.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xfzksEEpvSM/TtrADWWKw6I/AAAAAAAAAO8/2StL2656Gzo/s640/blogger-image--2026963970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xfzksEEpvSM/TtrADWWKw6I/AAAAAAAAAO8/2StL2656Gzo/s320/blogger-image--2026963970.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pux32JqPXuU/Ttq__DsLe4I/AAAAAAAAAO0/DGme15K1wok/s640/blogger-image-442175310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pux32JqPXuU/Ttq__DsLe4I/AAAAAAAAAO0/DGme15K1wok/s320/blogger-image-442175310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-53LntzXx_ss/TtrAHtJ0pJI/AAAAAAAAAPE/ClvnQzHh4gw/s640/blogger-image-368228370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-53LntzXx_ss/TtrAHtJ0pJI/AAAAAAAAAPE/ClvnQzHh4gw/s320/blogger-image-368228370.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zb3QgGB6i4Y/Ttq_3gb_KvI/AAAAAAAAAOk/AAtWTuNz160/s640/blogger-image--1397298582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 243px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 320px;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zb3QgGB6i4Y/Ttq_3gb_KvI/AAAAAAAAAOk/AAtWTuNz160/s320/blogger-image--1397298582.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have finished reading Huck Finn. In the words of Huck, "We said there warn't no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don't." (Liddell says this applies to a winter kayaking trip also.) Now we are reading Deep Water by Jacques Leslie. It's about the effects of dams on people and the environment.</div>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-69211026179569414142011-11-20T09:00:00.000-08:002011-11-20T09:00:28.110-08:00Locks, Weather, and Wilma, oh my!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Goal to New Orleans: 1865 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Paddled since last blog: 167 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Total paddled: 325 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">To go: 1540 miles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Current location: East of Chattanooga on the Tennessee River</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Granola bars consumed since last blog: 22</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Total: 44</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Snicks: 9 bars</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Total: 23</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Days of paddling: 15 </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">It's been a week since our last bloggage. We are off the river for Thanksgiving Week with Team Shannon and Grandma Hruby. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Turns out, you can lock through in sea kayaks at dams with locks. DAM! That's easier than portaging. During our first lock at Fort Loudon, we called ahead and explained to the lock operator that we had never done this before and he took care of us. He coached us in proper lockage, told some good jokes, and set us up for locking success. We looked good and won through two more locks.... they're all the same. It's tradition that once one passes through a dam, there are big machines doing crazy things such as: a guy hanging onto a helicopter repairing electrical lines, 15 heavy machines dismantling a building by a nuclear powerplant (we're talking transformers here!), and a train elevator bridge with a boom crane-barge underneath it.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgKXWK-Kl50/TskqMcwcjLI/AAAAAAAAAFE/0Y7AQBS8bcQ/s1600/PB170091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgKXWK-Kl50/TskqMcwcjLI/AAAAAAAAAFE/0Y7AQBS8bcQ/s320/PB170091.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kara in the lock chamber at Watts Bar Dam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have had a broad spectrum of weather. Some days have been clear, calm, and sunny which are accompanied by cold nights. On these nights, it's a good idea to leave hatch covers off because they become frozen ice bricks that are difficult to remove with ice brick hands in the morning. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_aYrCeQKnA/TsksYCcsRfI/AAAAAAAAAFM/udCnSu2RDNw/s1600/PB180112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_aYrCeQKnA/TsksYCcsRfI/AAAAAAAAAFM/udCnSu2RDNw/s320/PB180112.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We've had one day of hard rain that taught us our waterproof jackets aren't necessarily waterproof and helped us log our biggest mileage day due to the threat of mild hypothermia. Woo hot chocolate!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rReGmoRTnOc/TsktfCOPsOI/AAAAAAAAAFc/iur5BMuA8wA/s1600/PB160087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rReGmoRTnOc/TsktfCOPsOI/AAAAAAAAAFc/iur5BMuA8wA/s320/PB160087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain on water</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjSQQ9FKVXU/TsktYTVnAnI/AAAAAAAAAFU/uuHb7TOBFlY/s1600/PB160086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EjSQQ9FKVXU/TsktYTVnAnI/AAAAAAAAAFU/uuHb7TOBFlY/s320/PB160086.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet Liddell</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Thus far, the most significant factor determining our speed has been the wind. We think the maximum wind speed we've experienced is about 20 mph. These speeds force us to choose protected shoreline routes rather than open water crossings to cut corners. When we have a tailwind, we bust out our Fiberglass Shaft umbrellas to sail. Liddell is a conservative umbrella sailor while Kara goes balls-to-the-wall and sometimes experiences umbrella blowout at great speeds. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blGwVGVa8vk/TsktljtERTI/AAAAAAAAAFk/4JA-RPn-Dw4/s1600/PB160090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blGwVGVa8vk/TsktljtERTI/AAAAAAAAAFk/4JA-RPn-Dw4/s320/PB160090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kara's first umbrella blowout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">For our avid blog followers, you'll be thrilled to know we finished reading <i>The French Broad</i> by Wilma Dykeman and are now taking donations (or suggestions) for the next read aloud.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Thanksgiving!</div>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-72897992194658503952011-11-13T16:45:00.000-08:002011-11-13T17:01:32.518-08:00What would Wilma do? (wwwd)Goal to New Orleans: 1865 miles<br />
Paddled since last blog: 70 miles<br />
Total paddled: 158 miles<br />
To go: 1707 miles<br />
Current location: 15 miles west of Knoxville <br />
Granola bars consumed since last blog: 5 <br />
Total: 22 <br />
Snicks: 4 bars<br />
Total: 14 <br />
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Since last we wrote, we have found new guidance. Wilma Dykeman has graced us with 137 pages of French Broad history this far. We are reading her book "The French Broad" aloud. In long meandering sentences, not unlike her river, Wilma regales us with a potpourri of historical recollections such as when Thomas Lee "called himself an 'absquatalated Rebel' and advised his friend to flee when 'the lion roareth and the wangdoodle mourneth," and other tales, geology of the river, and local folklore. It's interesting especially because we have been paddling through the places she is mentioning. <br />
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After comporting our first 69 miles of consecutive river, Team Shannon (Jack and Jan) picked us up to shuttle us for whitewater sections of river. Due to low water levels, we are forced to put off the rest of the whitewater until after winter. <br />
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On Thursday, November 10, Team Shannon shuttled us to halfway through Lake Douglas in Tennessee. 11-11-11 featured sunny skies and a 4-hour portage around Douglas Dam. We took inspiration from the date (and were slowed by the portage) and paddled only 11 miles for 11-11-11. <br />
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The next day, currents helped us paddle 27 miles putting us in striking distance of the Tennessee River. <br />
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Today, we left the French Broad (but continue to read about it) at its confluence with the Holston to create the Tennessee River. We paddled through Knoxville and ooed and awed at the Sunsphere. Wind forced us to quit paddling for the day at a late lunch with 19 miles ckmpleted for today. <br />
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Here is a jumpshot. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JmYltO30QZo/TsBoaWS48qI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KtEm59PH6vE/s640/blogger-image--871260527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JmYltO30QZo/TsBoaWS48qI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KtEm59PH6vE/s640/blogger-image--871260527.jpg" /></a></div>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-37390573874304486582011-11-08T18:54:00.000-08:002011-11-08T18:54:59.453-08:00Rosman to Asheville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7vd9kMemqzI/TrnpPc93YdI/AAAAAAAAAEI/-xikrtGgHAE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7vd9kMemqzI/TrnpPc93YdI/AAAAAAAAAEI/-xikrtGgHAE/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunday November 6: Put in at noon with a sendoff from Liz G, Tracy, and Bette. We paddled 16 miles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monday November 7: Paddled 25 miles. Including three portages; one taking two hours to complete. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tuesday November 8: Paddled 29 miles, ending at 3:30 to meet Team Shannon at the takeout. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Overall highlights include:<br />
White squirrels, red robbins, beavers, blue herons, king fishers, ducks<br />
Umbrella sailing in little wind<br />
Morning fog followed by very warm sunny days</div>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-23767335605033123702011-11-05T07:39:00.000-07:002011-11-05T07:39:08.634-07:00Paddling through Asheville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OiAzRMrdYmA/TrVKVLpQUeI/AAAAAAAAAD4/zJMfmqCF43M/s1600/PB040096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OiAzRMrdYmA/TrVKVLpQUeI/AAAAAAAAAD4/zJMfmqCF43M/s320/PB040096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281461431747655781.post-49613710915779139102011-11-02T15:29:00.000-07:002011-11-02T15:29:02.022-07:00And it begins!Welcome. We'll be posting random musings along our 1865 mile journey from Rosman, North Carolina to New Orleans, Louisiana. We will paddle 210 miles on the French Broad River and reach Knoxville, Tennessee where the French Broad flows into the Tennessee River. From there we turn south and head into Alabama and back up through Tennessee to Paducah, Kentucky where the 652 mile Tennessee River flows into the Ohio River. We'll be on the Ohio for 50 miles until it flows into the Mississippi River in Cairo, Illinois. Then, we have just 953 miles down the Mississippi alongside Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and through Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico. We're paddling sea kayaks and we think the trip will take us about three and a half months. Feel free to play along at home and follow our blog. <br />
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Cheers!<br />
Kara and Liddell (The Broad Adventures Team)Kara and Liddellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14947061380563954153noreply@blogger.com7