THANK YOU: World Wide Support

World Wide Support: River Angel support and “get out the votes” efforts were received from around the world. The support came in many stages and forms. Todays post is dedicated to recognizing that international support, naming the individuals I feel contributed the most: Dave Cornthwaite of London, England, Rod Wellington of Chatham, Ontario, Canada and Mark Kalch, originally from Australia, currently living in Argentina. Thank you guys for jumping in there, helping me get my fare share of the world-wide votes. The kids with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes also say, thanks for your support, while we all recognized them during the river portion of the Source to Sea paddle itself.

Now folks - hang in there with me. There is another Canadian that went far above and beyond that normally expected of one individual. Yes, Dominique Liboiron, is a hero. He is from Alberta, his home is Southeast of Calgary. Dom himself is a past recipient of the the Spirit of Adventure Award. In 2012 he received the first ever awarded by Canoe and Kayak Magazine. The original first time winner. I am convinced a large block of my votes came from Canada and Dominique, being a newspaper reporter and recognized freelance writer himself “put the Icing on the cake”.

Thank you Dominique for flying all the way down from Canada to New Orleans, LA to paddle the last four days with me. I will never forget the issues we had with the New Orleans Police. Just trying to put the boats back in the water and paddle down river to set up camp before dark. It appears when we took out of the river couple days before it was a “No Swimming” zone. The Police Officer strictly enforce the rules saying “paddling is same as swimming”. I told her “we wont be swimming, just paddling” and appeared that just just guarantee a “NO YOU CANNOT PADDLE FROM HERE” mandate. It took powerful persuasions, elevating the issue through three layers of bureaucratic red tape, to finally get approval to launch..

You and I paddled on ahead. Nothing could have prepared us for the storm awaiting down river. The gale force winds were blowing directly up stream in our faces. So strong that when my boat got broadside to the wind, there was nothing I could do to straighten her up. Had to just let her let it float, sideways with the current. Had to used all my strength and skill just keeping the craft afloat. How in the world did you alone, in that tandem canoe, keep from swamping?

Your help getting out the Canadian votes were God sent. Your efforts did made the difference. For that and for being my friend, I thank you from my heart. You can see that Dominique has the right “Medicine Hat”. Please read about Dom’s journey from Saskatchewan to New Orleans, to honor his uncle Mitch. A very well produced CBS Special video presentation follows.

​Again Dominique I thank you spending time with me on the river and for getting out the Spirit of Adventure votes in Canada. The video below was shot by Grey Beard just after we reached the Gulf of Mexico.