Brendan, a canoe, and the Mississippi River
Brendan Battenfelder's journey from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico.

Wednesday, November 14, 2001 - I can smell the end!

Hey all,

I made it to Greenville, Mississippi. I was camped on a sand bar just outside of town last night and paddled into the harbor this morning. I left the canoe at the Greenville Yacht club and set out to explore the town. I stopped in at the Post office and NO Mail. Well that's OK, I am a day early and I left my forwarding address. So I will pick everything up in Natchez. 

I hope to be in Natchez MS by the 19th or so and through New Orleans by the 27th. But there is another 100 miles to go after New Orleans, so I should make it to the end by December 1st. (Jon I will give you a call). So I am alive and well and still having a wonderful time. I have reconciled my differences with sand and the mosquitoes and I are discussing terms of a cease fire. 

The river is getting larger and is moving along relatively fast in some parts. I am covering at least 40 miles a day and I am currently 537 miles from the end of the river. I am getting really excited about finishing. I can't wait to put the paddle down for a day, although I know I am going to miss this wonderful way of life. But the money can only be stretched so far.

Well not much has happened lately I went swimming again in the river and the water was freezing, so I only went up to my waist. And I have learned how to cook Rice and Pasta in four hundred different ways. 

Greenville is a nice Southern town. I got some breakfast at Jim's Cafe on Washington Street and the Manager drove me to the Super Market. Such nice people here. I got what I needed and then spent the next hour, half naked in the Laundromat. I washed everything I had except a pair a pants. So I sat there reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (What a great book). 

And on my walk to the Library I met a nice gentleman. He thought I was hiking so we talked about walking of course. He said he used to "up and walk to Alabama". Well this man had done some walking in his life. He was so amazed about the canoe trip, and as many have said " I wouldn't want to do it, but sounds like an exciting trip" And it has been.

Well I wish I could of listed some of the names of the people I met here, 
But for the life of me I can't figure out what people are saying down here.
I thought the woman in the Laundromat said "you was up in there" Could she have meant, was I just in the dryer. God only knows. I just said "Nope, I'm Canoeing" What else is there to say.

Well I am so excited the end is near. I will be home soon to share crazy
and stupid stories with you all.

Take Care

Brendan

Emails
Emails from Brendan and his father.
Photos
Frequently updated!

Home | Start the tour | States along the river | Featured this month |
Travel journal | The River Roads Rambler | Guestbook | Search the site | FAQ | Contact us | Advertise here

© 1996-2001 by Mississippi Moon Internet Services
Revised: Wednesday, November 14, 2001