The Big River Show

From Minneapolis
to
New Orleans in 80 days

Jun 20

Just Bill and the Water

Category: Video Blogs

So Max left the boat yesterday to attend a wedding in Wisconsin… leaving the boat entirely in my care. I spent 24 hours by myself on the Evangeline, and gained a new appreciation for the power of teamwork.

It takes two of us to safely command the boat. When we lay or weigh anchor, its ideal to have one of us on the helm, and one handling the anchor. Today I had to do it alone, and at one point as I anchored in swift current, I nearly fell in. Had I fallen in, I would have furiously tried to swim back to the boat, as I drifted further away from it… stranding me in the middle of the greatest river in North America, alone.

So… I have to say… its good to have shipmates. Especially when you’re treading water.

In a time and a place where water is sweeping away towns, we’re getting a greater appreciation for the power of nature. Its going to a be a summer of watching the skies and reading the current. Because in our situation, they decide success or failure.

11 Comments so far

  1. Delp June 21st, 2008 9:24 am

    Bill you are very articulate. Thanks for the sunset.

  2. Eileen in Las Vegas June 21st, 2008 11:03 am

    Go with the flow..I love that one…
    Be safe…

  3. Brent Rose June 22nd, 2008 11:24 am

    Nice one, dude. And yeah, no falling in, my friend. That would be sub-awesome.

    How are you and Max going to work out meeting up again?

  4. Roger Ly June 22nd, 2008 1:54 pm

    Nice to see you are moving again.

    I guess Max has a lot of swimming to do. You should leave a trail of breadcrumbs or something so he can find you (though I guess there is really only one path he would be following).

  5. Marty June 22nd, 2008 8:57 pm

    your getting close bill about 30 miles to my stompin grounds

  6. Marty June 22nd, 2008 9:00 pm

    when you get to musqutine call me

  7. Rowan June 22nd, 2008 10:31 pm

    you can break it if you freeze it…

  8. Daniel Weingrow June 23rd, 2008 8:19 am

    I dated a girl that could caress me but also smother me. Often simultaneously.

  9. kevin June 23rd, 2008 11:00 am

    yes! it’s the big tao show.

    and if I do say so myself, you look pretty handsome in that v-neck, brovs.

  10. tvd June 23rd, 2008 3:16 pm

    Just trying to be informative, not scary-one-eye, here’s what today’s NY Times has to say about your bath water:

    The emotional toll and the impact on physical health are beyond calculation. While there have been no outbreaks of specific diseases related to the flood, water contamination is a serious concern, and officials recommended that anyone working or living in the flooded zone get shots for hepatitis and tetanus.

    “These floodwaters are all contaminated with Lord knows what — everything that’s been washed out of the sewer plants and garages, basements, businesses, manure,” said Doug Hawker, an environmental specialist with the Department of Natural Resources. “It’s bad. We honestly don’t know what all is in it, but it’s an absolute witch’s brew.”

    Hope that doesn’t dampen your spirits!

    Tom

  11. JL June 23rd, 2008 3:28 pm

    Ditto what Tom said — and check on a polio booster too. I am thinking that if you found a health department clinic, they may be inclined to give you those shots at a reduced rate given the fact that you will be “working” on the River this summer.

    JL

Leave a comment