New Orleans, Louisiana
November 6, 2019
Dear Family & Friends:
After seven hours of paddling, I arrived in New Orleans yesterday!!
It’s hard to imagine this trip started over 100 days ago, 2,300 miles upstream. Now, I have less than 100 miles to go before I reach the salt water in the Gulf of Mexico.
Brandon Blackmore picked me up in his truck. We loaded my beloved canoe on his truck and he drove me to my hotel. He is storing my canoe at his home. Brandon just retired after 20 years of service in the US Army. He served in bases all over the world and completed two tours of duty in Iraq and one tour of duty in Afghanistan. Thank you for your service to our country Brandon. I’ll include a photo of Brandon in my next post.
I can’t wait for Lisa, Jeff and Lori to join me on November 8. I wish they were here now.
This morning, I plan to wash all my clothes, some of which I will send home with my family. In the afternoon, I plan to visit the World War II Museum. I will probably spend two days there since this is a subject of great interest to me.
I plan to be back on the River on November 13. My next post will be after my family returns home.
Thanks for traveling along with me and inspiring me to do my best. God bless you.
Bill
The Big Easy
The Big Easy
CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS on reaching the Big Easy, Bill. But, I won’t pop the champagne cork until your canoe gets salty. Hard to believe you’ve been paddling for over 100 daze. Have fun with your family and we look forward to your next post.
Cheers,
k;-)
So glad to hear that you made it to New Orleans safely! Have a wonderful visit with your family.
Thank you for taking us on your amazing journey. You are to be commended for taking on such a daunting adventure and seeing it through until the end. It has been so interesting to see so much of small town America through your eyes and pure escapism from the current reality of the nightly news.
May God continue to bless you.
Congratulations Bill! What an amazing achievement!! You must be so proud and excited! I, on the other hand, am so sad to see these posts coming to an end! I thank you for bringing me along on your journey, it has been a wonderful ride!
Bill. You are the MAN! You are the hero of the Silent Generation.
Congratulations
Congrats Bill, amazing journey. Now I want you to do it paddling backwards.
Well done Bill!!! You are amazing!!! Loved reading all your posts. What an adventure! Enjoy your time with your sweet family. That museum is great!
Bill, happiness definitely is a rebound from hard work. Enjoy family time this week.
Completion blessings,
Rick
Hi Bill, congratulations on achieving a seemingly impossible trip down the Missippi with no experience beforehand. God has definitely been with you all the way. Just meeting all those interesting people has got to fill your head with precious memories. Each morning I have looked forward to your posts and will be so sad when they stop coming. I’m just thankful you are safe and your family can enjoy you being at home again.
What a wonderful adventure you have been on and all the wonderful people you have met along the way and the experiences you have been throughout your trip so glad you will be meeting Lori, Lisa, and Jeff enjoy your time with them can’t wait for you to get home again
Enjoy your family in New Orleans. 100 miles should be easy compared to all the danger you have gone through. What an exciting journey you have been on. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your amazing adventure. Congratulations!
Bill, thanks for taking us along on your epic journey. You have inspired me to visit some of the towns & cities along this great American river. You are so close to reaching your goal! We’re all pulling for you to get to that salty water. Best wishes & prayers!
We are so proud of you and happy for you Bill. Love, Kari and Leo