Rollin' on a riverGroup of paddlers raises money for Mississippi River

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

MINNEAPOLIS -- Like an adventure out of a Mark Twain novel, it was a journey of epic proportions.

A whim led me to participate in the Mississippi River Challenge, a two-day, 44-mile paddle down the Mississippi. Hard work and a group of incredible people got me to the end.

When I made the decision to go, I had two days to raise the required money for the charity. Thanks to several kind-hearted people in New Ulm, I was successful.

The requirement for participation in the trip was to raise $200 for the Friends of the Mississippi. The money funds projects to enhance water quality, education for landowners about native plants and erosion issues, lobbying for preservation of natural woodlands and wetlands and bringing community events to the Mississippi River.

Paddling that day were a man from Germany, a kayaker from Texas, a group of voyageurs, a person who had paddled the Mississippi from the headwaters to the gulf, an artist who had had more than 30 reconstructive surgeries.

"There are some incredible stories," event manager Dennis Davidson said.

There were bound to be, with 300 paddlers and 125 volunteers participating in the Challenge.

With 300 participants, each raising the required $200, the Mississippi River Challenge raised a minimum of $60,000 for use in river cleanup, education, community events and lobbying.

The Weather Channel reports just .16 inches of rain that day. It must have all fallen on us. Or maybe it was the wind making the drops pelt us in the face that made it seem that way. In any case, the rain and the waves breaking over the bow of the kayaks and canoes and the muscles burning from constant use pulled us all together.

The fun that ensued as clusters of paddlers made their way down the river, battling the seven to 18 mph winds together and braving the locks and dams, was a wonderful bonus to the fundraiser.

To pass the time in the locks, clutching to a rope at the side and to each other's boats for stability as the water went down, we sang. We sang a round of Row, Row, Row Your Boat and I Can See Clearly. We even took requests. And swapped stories of Minneapolis and New Ulm and Costa Rica.

Then, just as we thought we could make it no farther the first day, we saw the red roofs of Historic Fort Snelling -- approximately 20 miles from our put-in in Coon Rapids.

Only the promise of a comfortable camp in the fort propelled us up the steep hill. And we were rewarded when we walked past the soldiers to spy free Summit beer and chair massages to relax already tightening muscles. And dinner catered by Famous Dave's.

"I feel like I died on the river and went to heaven," participant Geoff Page said. Geoff and his cousin Brian canoed together. "We get here, they hand me a beer, give me a massage, come around with a stroller full of ice cream and clean up after us."

The people were the epitome of Minnesota nice. Or maybe the cooperation found on trails and rivers between strangers could be called Outdoor nice.

Each time I reached a rest stop, someone helped me pull the boat onto shore; when I had to move my car before it got towed, someone gave me a ride; when I was thirsty, someone handed me a drink.

It was the inaugural run of the Challenge and it had its blips and bumps along the way. But for those who braved the waters the next day, a sunshiny day of paddling rewarded them.

The FMR already have Fort Snelling reserved for the same weekend next year -- August 6 and 7. Everyone from our pod of boats has said they will return.

I spent much of the mindless drive home contemplating what could be done to protect the Minnesota and Cottonwood Rivers and how that kind of camaraderie could be transplanted to paddlers in our area.

Jen Seavey can be reached by email at jseavey@nujournal.com.