“Where are you going?”

“Where did you start?”

“Couldn’t you find anyone to go with you?”

These were some of the questions I encountered on a 2,350-mile kayak trip down the mighty Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.

Along the way, black bears, a gray wolf and alligators presented thrilling encounters over 42 days as I paddled the Mississippi from source to sea as a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

I began in Minnesota where the river begins at a point higher in altitude than Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, Canada.

“Where do you sleep?”

“Where are you from?”

“Do you want a beer?”

These were constant questions I received.

1st challenges

I met multiple river angels who offered help to the few paddlers who attempt this challenge each summer.

An instant bond formed with other paddlers who shared this common dream.

Locksmen, deck hands, river pilots and captains knew me as “kayaker John.”

Ocean liner captains gave me a honk and wished me luck via marine radio.

Seafood was delivered as a congratulatory gift to Pilot Town where only pilots live. There were challenges too.

Early on the water level was so low that I often had to drag my kayak through clouds of mosquitoes and black flies.

In St. Paul, shortly after the riots, I got stuck at a closed lock & dam. Graffiti covered every surface of rock and concrete along the steep banks of the river.

Severe thunderstorms greeted me over the 1st 4 nights and frequently after.

Lightning and high winds cut into paddling and precious sleep time.

One day I looked over my shoulder to find the stern of my boat under water. I had neglected to fully secure the hatch over the rear storage.

All food not stored in dry bags was ruined.

My tent poles were constantly coated with grit which created friction.

The tent survived a few breaks and multiple rips before it was finally rendered useless, just as I was entering gator country.

I switched to a bivy sac which made me look and feel like a human burrito.

Next: Human needs