Out of Rosedale (Part 2)

“If you come down to the river, bet you gonna find some people who live. You don’t have to worry cause you have no money, people on the river are happy to give.  Rollin, rollin, rollin on the river”-CCR  (You knew it was coming…and yes I did leave a good job in the city)

Saturday

Today was a unique day. I was stationary and did not depart the Vance Compound.  I can’t recall another day where I didn’t leave my location outside of being wind bound on Cat 1.  Today was not without significance, however, as an impromtu suarez broke out in the evening.  Amy & Jonathan’s family arrived for a Mississippi barbeque and my Dallas friends (and shared MAVS season ticket holders), Kent & Barbara, drove up to see me. They had a service to attend in Slidell, LA and made the trek to Rosedale to see me. How great is that?

I spent the afternoon uploading videos and lounging around the house.  Amy’s family are quite the bunch-her sister Megan and boyfriend String were part of the group and furnished great river stories.  Their family had questions about the trip and were extremely supportive.  Kent & I discussed the newly designed MAVS roster. Barb still thinks I’m a crackpot for canoeing around America and she’s probably right.

I’m digging this Delta lifestyle. Somewhere, Sam Pitts is smiling.

The cake and MS hat providers!!!

Kent and Babs!!! They only drove 8 hours out of their way to see me. Take that Dominique. 

Lewis and Clark Who?

Brian and Spivey

Yep, it’s a South Bound Suarez

Sunday

Time to get out of the house. I persuaded Amy and Jonathan to drive me to Clarksdale to meet John Ruskey, another legendary paddler and river advocate.  We went to his canoe shop where he not only guides river adventures but also builds canoes and manufactures paddles.  It was an honor to meet John, the guy flat out has soul.  We discussed my journey and his past adventures. He and Mike Clark paddled the Missouri River in 2002, only they started in late September and it was 4 degrees when they arrived in in Wolf Point, MT…now that is dedication.

John is the ultimate Lower Mississippi River resource, check out his site at www.rivergator.com.  He also is a blues guitarist, he moved to Clarksdale in part because of its blues history. A real renaissance man.

We returned “home” and enjoyed a quiet Sunday evening together. I am getting that melancholy feeling again knowing that I will be leaving another comfortable environment.  It is strange though that after 2 days without paddling I have this sense of missing out on the river. It’s almost like the Mississippi is calling me back.  I’ve really enjoyed my time here and would love to stay longer, it feels like home.

The show must go on.

A real juke joint

“Hey, Robert, I am here at Ground Zero, can you come out and play?”

Ladies and Gentleman…here’s Johnny!!

The Vance’s. Not enough kind words to say about them.

I had to do it.

..and with their son, Seth.

Monday

I spent the morning getting prepared to leave, making sure all my electronics were charged and ready for the next leg. Jon and Amy furnished me with the ultimate care package-all the leftover meat from Saturday’s throwdown.  Amy’s mom, Jujju, made a cake for me as well. I am going to be eating like a king for the next few days.

I said my goodbyes and headed out around 11.  It took me a good hour to adjust to River Time. I felt strong and refreshed.  I wasn’t feeling as blue as last night and was comfortable paddling Ol’ Man River.  Rosedale is now in the rear view miror and my attention is now shifting to Vicksburg, MS-the next major town. I won’t stay in Vicksburg long but John Ruskey arranged a meeting with yet another river angel, Layne Lough.  I eased my way back today, paddlin 30 miles. I spent most of my time reflecting on the great weekend in Rosedale.

I was excited to listen to the Pats game on the radio tonight…until the game actually started.  This made for a rough ending to an otherwise memorable 3 days in Rosedale.

Paddle hard and long.

heading back to the river

at the river

leaving land

Hey Muddy Mike, my form better?

back to barges

campsite, at this point, I thought the Pats had a chance.