Paddlin’ in Memphis

“Time is everlasting but nothing outlasts time, whatever comes must go it seems it’s not ours to question why.” – Tora Tora (great Memphis 80’s rock band)

Dale Sanders. The man.

Saturday, September 20th

I awoke to a warm early fall morning.  No doubt, I’m in the south.  Collin and I enjoyed breakfast together and then I exited river left.  Collin stayed back, he typically doesn’t launch until about 10:00.  We said our goodbyes, I sincerely hope he enjoys his journey to the Gulf of Mexico.

The scenery, while beautiful, is becoming repetitive. The river is wide with sandy shorelines and trees.  I still haven’t seen too many sandbars, the river is still high although it is clearly receding now.

Today turned eventful when I attempted to shave four miles off my trip.  After reviewing my map, I observered a water chute which would cut off a long Mississippi River bend saving me about an hour.  Passing through the chute I heard rushing water and knew this was from one of the wing dikes. My map indicated there would be two wing dikes that cross the entire chute and I calculated with high water they would be submerged. I was wrong.

I approached the first wing dike and about 80% of the rocks were exposed, fortunately I found a spot way over on the right shore that had deep water. I cleared it without incident.  As I approached the second wing dike all I saw were rocks across the river. I had another conversation with myself and decided to cross at the section that appeared to have the most water (i.e. less rocks sticking out). I successfully negotiated the chute but not without scraping the bottom of The Helinda. I also got spun a bit in the whirlpool created on the other side of the dyke.  I haven’t had this much excitement since Montana. Yes, I have sworn off “shortcuts.”

I paddled until another sandy beach appeared just prior to sunset.  I am about 70 miles from Memphis and should arrive on Monday.

Let’s canoe.

Where’s that confounded bridge?

There it is. TN on Left, MO on the right.

Wing Dikes

campsite

sunset

sunset * 2

Sunday, September 21st

What happened to the cool fall weather? Today was hot, sunny and humid.  It has been interesting living outside. Your life revolves around sunrise and sunset, you have this acute sense weather conditions, you notice slight changes in vegetation and foliage. Every day leaves have a slightly softer green tone, pelicans are back and the sky seems more blue.  Of course, the days are clearly getting shorter.

I paddled about 35 miles today finishing when I became concerned about finding a suitable camping spot. A fisherman approached me late in the afternoonn inquiruing about my trek. We had a brief conversation and he offered up local river knowledge. Often fisherman are curious and they commonly offer up drinks and other treats.

The canoeing was fairly uneventful today, no more wing dyke issues.  I am excited and slightly anxious about paddling into Memphis tomorrow.  I will paddle past Mud Island and then up the back side of it….should be fun.

barge in the morning

it’s hot out here

still hot

sunset

Monday, September 22nd

Another sunny day, at least it was less humid.  In fact, I woke up last night and was almost chilly since I failed to put on my rain fly(which also acts as insulation).

I had an enjoyable paddle into Memphis, barge traffic was light and the Port of Memphis wasn’t nearly as active as I had anticipated. While I paddled past Mud Island, I yelled “Hola!!!” to many of the pedestrians. No one wanted to take my photo, where is Steve when you need him?

I passed a nice amphitheater on the backside of Mud Island and docked at The Memphis Yacht Club.  The good folks at the Yacht Club allow long distance paddlers to house their canoes overnight. This worked out well for me since I now “officially” qualify as a long distance paddler.

Dale Sanders made arrangemets to have me transported to his home, his freind Tom would pick me up around 3:00 and drive me back to his house (east of Memphis). I arrived at 1:00 and walked into Harbor Town for a nice lunch.  I enjoyed watching NFL highlights from yesterday and free air conditioning.

Tom arrived and he drove us to Dale’s for the evening.  The three of us went out to dinner and had a great time…a big thank you for picking up the tab guys. Tom and Dale are going to canoe the entire Mississippi River next year, it was exciting listening to their planning.  I can’t wait to follow them next year (probably from a success station).

Dale lived up to his reputation-the guy is one of a kind. He is a spearfish champion, had the record for holding his breath underwater (male in age 50’s category), has canoed the Mississippi and is an all around good guy.  He also possesses boundless energy…asking me at one point if I needed to go to bed.

Dale asked me to sign his long distance paddler “Wall of Fame” in his basement. Long distance paddlers that are invited to Dale’s home are asked to sign his wall, providing vitals on their trip. It was a great honor and yet another humling moment.

Tom will to drive me back to the river tomorrow.  The show must go on.

getting close to Memphis

the I-40 bridge

there she is

I made it

at the amp

Tom at the amp

Dale’s crib

reverse angle

Dale and I

again

Another script in the wall