Lower Mississippi River Dispatch No. 995 "Voice of the Lower Mississippi River"
Rivergator 2025 received a powerful and playful addition when seasoned voyageur "JC" Jean Canôt (AKA Stephen Walker) joined the expedition. Watermelon Water Frisbee gets invented along the way! He brought along his trusty "two pines paddle" that he hand-crafted for his 2022 Mississippi River Expedition.
Fireworks: as we paddled out of Missouri around Tamm Bend, and past Nebraska Point, we were greeted by fireworks on right bank descending. It was Jean Canôt and Mark "River Peoples welcoming us in at Barfield (RBD 810.5), also known as "River Styx Landing." Classy welcome -- pop bottle rockets popping over the water!
Not far downstream we spotted a bald eagle nest, and several eagles in the air. A good sign for us.
Towards end of another hot summer day, we dove into a shady spot at the Old Mouth of the Forked Deer River. This is a dynamic connection to rich wetlands beyond (within the Anderson Tully Wildlife Management Area). Great views, cool breezes off river, shady places amongst the willow trees -- a perfect campsite.
The next day we explored the 1st Chickasaw Bluff.
And the 2nd Chickasaw Bluff, collapsing colorful muddy cliffs. Notice last photo background: see the dust in the air? This was a near miss. As we departed, a large chunk fell off top of cliff and landed where I was just exploring minutes before!
Jean Canôt helped guide expedition through the Hen & Chicks, Brandywine Island, through Memphis and then into the big islands and long wild sections of river meandering through the Mississippi Delta.
Jean Canôt leads a great life as modern day voyageur. Many of you remember him as a guide for Quapaw Canoe Company. I first met him at Voyaguer Canoe Camp, the Quebecoix French language immersion summer camp run by Concordia College, near Bemidj, MN. Jean Canôt is married to Solange, who was also camp counselor, and also later became guide for Quapaw Canoe Company. Today Jean Canôt is a ranger at the Mississippi River National Park, in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis-St. Paul. Jean Canôt is also a veteran long-distance paddler of the entire Mississippi River (2022). He published a book called Canoe Rambler about expedition, which includes a Paddler's guide to the Upper Mississippi River ( a complimentary guide to the Rivergator, which is a guide to the Middle & Lower Mississippi River). Go visit Paddler's Guide to the Upper Mississippi River Spring 2025 Update Here Jean Canôt also writes an online newsletter by the same name, The Canoe Rambler. Go visit, and subscribe!
Jean Canôt is also a playful person who loves to swim. Matt Sutton joined us for a swim around the Montezuma Eddy during expedition resupply. During lunch stop and water sampling at the mouth of the St. Francis River, Watermelon Water Frisbee was invented! This involves skipping watermelon rinds to each other over the water. (I didn't get any photos because I was playing the game too!)
Watermelons at the Mouth of the St. Francis River
Jean Canôt passes Pushing the River, a gift from author Frank Bures, downstream to the "Water Opossum" Layne Logue (Quapaw Vicksburg). In true voyageur tradition, gifts get hand delivered not by post, but hand-to-hand! (Note: more reliable than USPS, UPS or FedEx!).
Returning to Solange, and the Mississippi River National Park. (Loaded up with his canvas canoe he calls "The Monarch Canoe") Bon voyage Jean Canôt! Thank you for joining Rivergator 2025 Expedition!
Quapaw Canoe Company ~ Celebrating 27 Years of Service Custom Guiding & Outfitting on the Lower Mississippi River Winner of the SBA 2024 Small Business of the Year Award
Great post! Ru-Ru! Mark River
Great times while doing great work. Love the posts! Paddle soon…