Community Canoe Trips - Fall 2021 - Montezuma Island Adventure
Monthly Adventures to Historic Mississippi River Archipelago in Voyageur Canoes
Friday, Oct 8, 2021
Quapaw Canoe Company LMRD #848
Clarksdale, MS ~ Memphis, TN ~ Vicksburg, MS
Announcing Five Upcoming Quapaw Adventures you can join in on, Fall 2021:
Wed, Oct 20, Full Hunter’s Moon, 2-10pm from Quapaw Clarksdale
Sat, Oct 23, Community Canoe Montezuma Island, 12noon-5pm from Montezuma Landing (halfway in between Helena, AR, and Clarksdale, MS)
Mon Nov 8 - Fri Nov 12, Horn Island Naturalist’s Retreat, from Ocean Springs, MS — for anyone who studies or loves nature! Also for artists of any type. 5 days on remote barrier island.
Sat, Nov 27, Community Canoe Montezuma Island, 12noon-5pm from Montezuma Landing (halfway in between Helena, AR, and Clarksdale, MS)
Sat, Dec 11, Community Canoe Montezuma Island, 12noon-5pm from Montezuma Landing (halfway in between Helena, AR, and Clarksdale, MS)
Community Canoe Trips, Fall 2021:
Quapaw Canoe Company is happy to announce Fall 2021 community canoe trips on the Mississippi River! Come join us for a beautiful day in nature, and on the sandbar. Community Canoe daytrips to continue every month throughout the Fall 2021. More details below.
What: Community Canoe daytrips are outfitted by Quapaw Canoe Company, presented in partnership with the Lower Mississippi River Foundation. Jump on board the big canoe and reconnect with the Mississippi River! This trip is open to anyone to sign up, and an opportunity to experience the pristine beauty of the Mississippi River wilderness. No previous experience necessary. Everyone paddles together in our big canoes with guides. Must be willing to paddle — sometimes hard paddling necessary.
The destination for this trip is the Montezuma Islands
The Montezuma Islands are an archipelago of Mississippi River Islands with big beaches, swim holes, birds, turtles, and other wildlife, which afford an incredible variety of giant sandbars, wetlands, gravel/fossil bars, deep willow forests, and miles of beaches to swim from or walk along—a little bit of everything!Â
West Montezuma Island was created by the 1837 sinking of the steamboat by the same name. It is found above Kangaroo Point, about halfway in between Friars Point and Helena, AR.Â
Who: This trip is open to anyone! Come join us over the levee for some quality time with nature, friends, and community!
When: October 23rd, Nov 27, and Dec 11, 2021. 1pm-5pm. Folks can either meet us at Montezuma Landing at 1pm, or gather at Quapaw Canoe Company in downtown Clarksdale at noon, and then follow us out to Montezuma Landing.
Pricing:
Adults - $50
Educators - $25
Children under 18: free, accompanied by parents or guardians
Post-Pandemic Precautions: All outdoor event. Must drive your own vehicle to landing and bring your own food. Handwashing station available. At base, mask up indoors and no handshakes, hugs, etc.
To reserve your seat on any of the Community Canoe Adventures, contact:
Solange Fraser 612-390-1503, kefraser2@gmail.com
Community Canoe Schedule:
12 noon - Meet at
Quapaw Canoe Company 291 Sunflower Avenue Clarksdale, MSÂ 38614
12:30pm - Shuttle to river
1pm - Put in at Montezuma Landing
2pm - Arrival at Montezuma Island - exploration, play and activities.
5pm - Take out at Montezuma Landing
Where: Over the levee, on the majestic Mississippi River! Meeting at Montezuma Landing, round trip returning to the same spot.
Why: There are many great reasons to go on the Mississippi River, and each person comes away with their own unique experience and appreciation. Here are some things you may expect to see on your trip. (photos by Jean-Canôt AKA Stephen Walker)
Community Canoe Pricing:
$50 per person.
$25 for educators
Free for kids under 18 accompanied by a parent.
A great deal for an unforgettable experience on the largest mightiest river in North America!
Payment by cash or check required to hold seat. You can make full payment now to reserve your seat.  Send check to Quapaw Canoe Company, 291 Sunflower Avenue, Clarksdale, MS 38614. If by credit card, let us know and we will send Paypal Billing (at 3% PP bank fee).
Refund Policy:Â
Payment refundable if weather gets bad, emergency, or other unforeseeable act of god. Or you can postpone to future date. Payment is not refundable should you decide to change your mind for some other personal reason.\
Packing List
Each person should pack:
water bottle(s)
snacks
sun protection (Hat sunscreen, sunglasses)
sandals/shoes that can get muddy and wet
Warm clothes as needed on Cool or Rainy Days:
gloves or mittens
scarf
warm hat
sweater or fleece
wind/rain jacket
Optional:
cell phone
camera
bird book
binoculars
Safety Protocols
Our Covid-19 Post-Pandemic Measures:Â
We are using virus-era protocol for safety: 1) clients are doing their own shuttling and 2) providing their own food. We are setting up hand washing station at landings and all stop places on trip. No hugs or handshakes. Practice safe CDC protocol with hand sanitation, use face masks in enclosed indoor places, and etc, and etc. If you are virus positive, or have been in recent contact with someone, stay home! we have adopted some simple but effective measures to minimize C19 issues, and so far it is working. We’ve been doing trips, and doing them successfully with the following protocols:Â
1) All guides and Mighty Quapaw staff have received moderna vaccine
2) We have been making round trips from specific landings, so there is no close contact in a shuttle vehicle. You drive your vehicles, we drive ours.
3) Do your own food. Bring and prepare your own meals and snacks, for extra safety. If you prefer us to prepare, we will do so carefully and thoughtfully.
4) Set up a hand-washing station at all landings and at lunch spot, with soap and water.
5) At base, on land where we meet to pack & prepare trip, we wear masks indoors, and do not shake hands, or hug, or any other direct contact. Maintain 6’ distance.
Ok, I’m in! How do I sign up?
To sign up, contact:
Solange Fraser 612-390-1503, kefraser2@gmail.com — or John Ruskey 662-902-7841 — or Mark River 662-902-1885.
Solange Fraser Quapaw Canoe Company 612-390-1503 kefraser2@gmail.com
Mark River Peoples Quapaw Canoe Company 662-902-7841 mark@1mississippi.org
John Ruskey Quapaw Canoe Company 662-902-7841 john@island63.com
Anything else?
Once you go paddling on the Mississippi you are part of a pretty special club. A club that knows how magical the river is, and how much it needs protection.  We need more people in the club! That's why we're hosting community canoe trips in Helena and Clarksdale every month. If you've never been out on the river before this is the perfect opportunity to test it out. If you've been before, come back and bring a friend!
Stay caught up on future community paddles on our Substack newsletter: quapaw.substack.com
Facebook page: facebook.com/QuapawCanoeCompany
By following, you’ll receive updates for our future community paddles and other exciting events at Quapaw Canoe Company!
Thank you for your attention to our beloved Momma Mississsippi! See you on the river!
