Slow Raft down the Mississippi

UPDATE October 27, 2008
It seems the ladies spent a couple of months in the Quad Cities on a farm. They attended market and met many new friends. Now they are back on the Mississippi River and in or around Quincy, Illinois. Looks like they have a ways yet to go, but I do believe they will make it. To see their blog and keep up with them and their travels, go to http://www.mississippiriverproject.blogspot.com/. They are safe, but cold and have fashioned new seats from which to peddle.

August 12, 2008.
They are looking now for the Ice Harbor in Dubuque, Iowa. Lindsey P. and Hannah B. have been seven weeks on the Mississippi River in a home made raft. Clara, a passenger, is resting hidden on the hammock tied to the frame. Clara will depart in Dubuque leaving Lindsey and Hannah to peddle their way to New Orleans. Maybe a new passenger will join up along the way. There have been others before Clara.

The raft is made from scrap. Anything and everything they could find that would work as a piece of the watercraft. The paddles are pieces of roadblock planks. Supporting the paddles are bicycle wheels attached to the wooden deck with plumbing pipe. The tent is made of plastic pieces stitched together like a quilt. The sails above, the ladies muse, do not get them very far in the right direction.

Their trip began in Clearwater, MN after 3 months of building the HMR C. Bernadette Able. Growing up on the East Coast, these two young ladies opted for some unusual (for this day and age) adventures. Traveling at the speed of a bicycle powered paddle wheel, they manage about 10 miles a day. The Mississippi River is over 2000 miles long so calculations would put them in New Orleans possibly in December.

On board are plants used for salads and snacks. Nasturtium flowers for a spicy snack, tomatoes still green, herbs and green onion and cabbage plants. In the middle under the floorboards, they have fashioned a cooler/refrigerator which they say works quite well keeping their perishables intact. Hanging from the tent-like frame are supplies and remedies, shoes, bedding, safety items and sails. Coloring the bow is a rubber kayak for exploring backwaters. The paddle wheels are attached to bicycles the girls peddle, keeping them on the move. They have an outboard motor for insurance and emergencies.

After 7 weeks on the water, only one emergency situation has occurred. Hannah suffered heat stroke for two days. They have encountered poison ivy, a snake aboard and some critters nipping at their veggie plants. They cheerfully answer questions about their journey and allow photos to be taken.

The C. Bernadette Able rests a little longer in the Ice Harbor the next morning. She is tied alongside the Lillybelle awaiting another day of the slow, peaceful ride on the Big River. Hannah and Lindsey are interested in the nature of things along the river and are documenting their days in a journal. Meanwhile, you can follow along with their blog for progress reports. http://www.mississippiriverproject.blogspot.com/
For more pictures of HMR C. Bernadette Able in Dubuque, see www.rebeccacatephoto.com