Paddling By

Just wanted to give a shout-out to all the fine people that have helped us on our way so far. Steve and Owen, thanks for your curiosity in our trip while we were portaging across South Bend.

Marcus, loved meeting you while you took pictures of us. Nice camera, hope you rouse up some interest with the pics. You were very supportive and kind to us.

 Jerry from Niles, Michigan, thanks for the friendly conversation and taking us to fill up our water bottles while the weather was miserable, rainy, cold. Nothing like a little encouragement to start out a rough day. 

Joe, Notre Dame alumnus, thanks for the ride to the store to pick up beer and brats for my 21st birthday bash. A fellow study-abroad participant. Dan, Andrew, and I met in Russia, and now here we are! 

Dave and Karen from Buchanan, Michigan, you saved us more time and energy than you know by dragging our kayaks in your truck across the dam. Hope you took pity on that goose that followed us around and bit my fingers and kept walking in front of your truck. He just wanted to be one of the guys.

Thanks to the Chinese take-out restaurant in Buchanan which sheltered us from the rain and cold and let us drink big containers of hot, green, leafy tea and chop-stick some rice. In your restaurant we observed a Mormon pamphlet that provided us much entertainment then and even now. 

Now for the lovely company of the Riverside Cafe, St. Joseph, Michigan. To the owners Phil and Dawn who welcomed our famished frames with open arms and let us pitch our tent in the back lawn of the bar, gave us a free appetizer and half-price shots. Dave and Shelby, what can I say, you took care of us. The food was delicious and much-needed the drinks were very nice too, the music, keno. You are good people with good hearts and your kindness will come back around soon, I’m sure. 

Mike at the bar also, thanks for the wood you bought us to help start a fire for breakfast. Would have been difficult to scrounge up wood in the middle of the city. 

John and Scott, our guardian angels from the local kayak shop in St. Joseph, thanks for the fateful advice and the safety equipment you bought us without a though. Scott literally gave the shirt off his back to Dan. I think you guys stirred up some karma for taking care of us so well. We are so appreciative of your help. Way to be our providence.

Chris and Prithee (can’t imagine how to spell your name), our second set of deus ex machina on the day, thanks so much for coming to chat with us for whatever reason you did and helping us carry our gear, leading us to a camp spot and Chris, for letting us borrow your tent. A little breathing room much appreciated. 

Dan and Ben, thanks so much for opening up your home to us, strangers of strangers, and letting us crash and make dinner in your house. You guys really challenged us to be giving, selfless people. Much appreciated. 

We love you all and thank you eternally for your help, interest, and conversation.

D