It's been a few years since Kelsey started this project. To remind viewers, He is writing a book for Patagonia books on regenerative agriculture and invited me along on some of the journey. We were in Colombia and Patagonia and traveled in the States as well. This summer we took a few days and floated the Mississinewa river just right here in Kelsey's backyard. The idea was to carry a kayak, paddleboard, food and gear from his house through his woods then through his neighbors field and put in the river and paddle down to see the Seven Pillars that are located east of Peru Indiana. We used Google earth to plot out our route, mileage, and islands in the middle of the river where we would camp. I was at the time still recovering from a pretty bad bout with the post Covid symptoms, which included severe headaches and dizziness. This type of trip was probably not recommended from my Dr but I forgot to ask! The half mile portage from Kelsey's house was pretty grueling as we slogged our way through swamp and thicket. Kelsey later told me that there was a spot to drive the boats straight down to the river right up the road but what fun would that be? The river was really high that day, it was super fast and to be honest a bit sketchy. If you have done any significant paddling you know that fast water even in the midwest can be quite dangerous at times. Within seconds of pushing off the fin of my paddleboard got caught up in a tree that had been sunk and was unnoticeable by eye above water. Somehow I managed to stay afloat and pushed myself off the log. This was not a great start. The river was bending and winding as we flew around the corners. Pretty soon the river straightened out and the speed of the water was welcomed as we had lots of paddling to do the next three days. Within minutes we saw a blue heron and a deer crossing the river and other woodland creatures playing on rocks and going for a swim. We had planned on paddling around 18-20 miles a day which is a hefty paddle in a boat especially a paddleboard. I knew I would be slower on my board but was not prepared for how much slower. Each paddle was heavy and painful. Luckily Kelsy had room in his kayak for a few more odds and ends to lighten my load. The funny thing about Google earth is it will tell you where islands are in the river from a certain point in time, however it does not show what has grown up all over the island or how big the island is on a particular day. After about six hours of really beautiful paddling we pulled up on our first stop. The island looked amazing so I pulled out my hammock and started setting up camp when I heard Kelsey say. "Hey I think this is poison ivy." I looked down at my feet and realized that it was not grass I was standing in. In fact the entire island was covered in Poison Ivy. I delicately found my way back to my board and we decided to push on and we luckily found a better spot a few miles down river. The night was shared with the river and all that surrounded its banks. It's always amazing to me what exists outside of our everyday life. What sounds and what sights are just a few miles away and such life that exists out our back doors. Yes even here in Indiana! Each day was better than the next and the adventure came in folds. I'll let you read Kelsey's book for the rest of the story but I'll close with saying that it was not an easy three days as I'm feeling my wrist still sore today from the paddle but it was an incredible memory and I hope to paddle it again with my good friend Kelsey.
