SECTION THREE
thology, freshwater mussels, and other topics.
Locally sourced food and beverages are a major compo-
nent of the journey. Paddlers dine at restaurants, win-
eries, breweries and coffee shops as well as catered sack
lunches and campsite meals. Those who think they’ll lose
a few pounds on this adventure soon discover that is not
likely.
Camping is in campgrounds and parks along the way,
with campfires and music every night.
Paddlers have ranged in age from 11 to 74. For some,
it was the first time they had ever paddled a kayak or
canoe, or been on the Missouri River. Others are experi-
enced paddlers.
Michael “Big Muddy Mike” Clark, of Big Muddy Adven-
tures, steers his 450-pound voyageur-style canoe, named
June Bug, on the voyage. People can choose to paddle
the entire trip in the multi-passenger vessel, or may just
trade places for a day for a change of pace from a kayak
or canoe.
To help preserve trip memories, all participants receive
a spiral-bound, water-resistant journal, complete with
daily maps and landmarks and space to write their own
comments.
HIGHLIGHTS AND TREASURES
The river adventure affects participants in various ways.
Sarah Wright-Aholt, an active member of Missouri
Stream Teams and a member of the support team for the
2017 trip, grew up in the river town of Washington, one
of the stops along the route.
“I loved watching people fall in love with the Missouri
River -- and the state of Missouri -- with each stroke
of the paddle,” she said. “People get so intimidated by
the Missouri River, but this trip really showed how she
is like a gentle giant. It meant a lot to see people un-
derstand why the Missouri River is so important, and
how our resource of clean water is a treasure we need to
protect.”
David Sprecker of Owensville joined the trip because
his cousin’s wife invited him. Although he had several
months to get in shape, he ended up taking a canoe and
kayak for a test drive at a nearby lake the weekend before
the event. The first two days, he paddled a canoe with
his cousin.
On the third and longest day, he found himself solo in a
short, stubby kayak -- and to his surprise, he made it, not
only that day, but also the rest of the trip.
“Although I can’t recall ever having done something just
to be able to brag about it, I brag about paddling 100
miles down the Missouri every chance I get,” said David.
“This trip will change how you look at the Missouri
River, the state of Missouri, and the precious resource
of water,” Sarah continued. “Some trips relax, some
challenge, some change a person; Paddle MO did all of
that and more. It is an experience that will always be a
part of me.”
Asian carp and all.
###
Barbara Gibbs Ostmann is an American Canoe As-
sociation-certified kayak instructor who loves to float
Missouri’s rivers and streams. This article appeared in
the March-April 2018 issue of Terrain Magazine (ter-
rain-mag.com) and has been revised for AGLOW. For
information on PaddleMo 2018 click photo below:
HORIZONS | 23