Paddles up to Queen Mississippi River
Who will best take care of our beloved Mississippi River and her wild forested floodplain? For the health & happiness of our future generations? For all layers of humanity? For all layers of creation?
River report: sorry for radio silence! We've had our hands full serving our queen Mississippi River for the past month! Many great adventures to share, but also long drought -- and creation suffering. Fish, birds, mammals. We are especially missing our friends from the beaver domain. The river came up 15 feet following Hurricane Helene, but almost as quick went back down and is now scratching bottom around -3 on the Helena Gage (-10.3 Mempis, 0.9 Vicksburg, 2.9 New Orleans). Exciting day tomorrow, Tuesday Nov 5th. We have our paddles up for our Queen Mother Mississippi River! More about that further down.
Lower Mississippi River Dispatch No. 949
"Voice of the Lower Mississippi River"
Vicksburg, MS ~ Memphis, TN ~ Clarksdale, MS ~ Wilson, AR
Quapaw Canoe Company ~ Celebrating 26 Years of Service ~
~Winner of the SBA 2024 Small Business of the Year Award~
This Saturday: Yazoo-Yalobusha Community Canoe from Greenwood:
*Sat Nov 9th from Greenwood, 1-5pm*
Thanks to the City of Greenwood, and the Greenwood Tourism Commission. Thank you Greenwood’s Bridge Bistro for providing a picnic lunch for all!
November 9th Community Canoe will take place on the Yazoo River from downtown Greenwood! This will be a first time run, on a tributary river (the Yalobusha-Yazoo) not on the mighty Mississippi. Storied river, full of wildlife, and the defining border of the Mississippi Delta. No giant sandbars. Lots of mud and muddy landings. Little known fact: Greenwood is an an *island bounded by three rivers: the Tallahatchie, the Yalobusha and the Yazoo.
(*island = almost an island. A very narrow sliver of land near Fort Pemberton where Hwy 82 crosses bridge is the only connection. Go look on google earth, and you will see what I mean!)
Meet 1pm at boat ramp in downtown Greenwood at the City Park Between the Bridges. There will be a short introduction and safety talk. Pack up canoe and load up. Paddle upstream to mouth of Yalobusha River. Picnic and exploration stop. Picnic Lunch provided for all by the Bridge Bistro. Or pack your own. Pack your own water bottles and dress for weather. Wear shoes that can get muddy & wet, or go barefoot. Wear sun hat and sun screen. Return downstream to same downtown Greenwood Landing Trip duration will probably be 1-5pm, but might be as late as 6pm.
Advance reservations required. 6 minimum, 18 maximum. 1-5pm, $50 each, $25 for educators, free for kids under 18 y/o. All paddle together, no previous experience necessary, but must be willing to paddle, and must wear life jacket! Made possible in partnership with the Lower Mississippi River Foundation. See below for complete details. First Come, first served. Please respond to this mailer for complete information and making reservation.
A community that canoes together, moves together — and glues together! The balance of the canoe is a life lesson for balance, teamwork, and harmony.
Contact: nick.onyshko@gmail.com or info@island63.com or if you have any questions!
A community that canoes together, moves together — and glues together. The balance of the canoe is a life lesson for balance, teamwork, and harmony.
~Paddles Up~Cast a Vote for Queen Mississippi River, tomorrow, Tues Nov 5th~
From the Mighty Quapawz: we're not going to tell anyone who to vote for, but we will share a distinct feeling that we have about it. This introspection might be helpful for others who are undecided. I speak for my team. We're going to the polls thinking about our Queen Mother Mississippi River. She flows along and don't say nothing. She must know something. She enriches our farms, our forests, our communities, our families. She is wild & unpredictable. But she makes life possible. The only thing we recommend is please make a vote for the Mississippi River. Don't vote along party lines. This is not a personality contest. Who will best take care of our beloved Mississippi River and her wild forested floodplain for the health & happiness of our future generations? For all layers of humanity? For all layers of creation? Who will respect the Waters of the United States? Who will enforce the Clean Water Act? We're thinking about our children, our future, and creating the best pathway forward for all. Search your own heart, and if you can't make up your mind, think about what's best for the Mississippi River. She connects us all. Thank you for letting us serve you, and serve our Queen. Long live a healthy and happy Mississippi River!
~ Community Canoe Trips Fall 2024 ~
Monthly Adventures to Mississippi River Island Beaches in Voyageur Canoes
**Made possible by the deep, dedicated vision of the Lower Mississippi River Foundation
Click here for making your annual contribution — and help keep the dream alive!
Upcoming Quapaw Canoe Company Public Trips, Fall 2024:
Sat Nov 9th
1-5pm from Greenwood
Wed, Thurs & Fri November 13th, 14th & 15th
Full Beaver Moon Trips
Sat-Mon Nov 15-17th
Fri, Sat, Sun December 13th, 14th & 15th
Full Frosty Moon Trips
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.
Who: This trip is open to anyone! Come join us over the levee for some quality time with nature, friends, and community!
When: One Saturday each month.
Pricing:
Adults - $50
Educators - $25
Children under 18: free, accompanied by parents or guardians
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
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 at Montezuma Landing, which is located halfway in between Helena, AR, and Clarksdale, MS, 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!
**Community Canoe** and **Miss River Summer Youth Camps** are made possible by the deep, dedicated vision of the Lower Mississippi River Foundation (which many of you help support — thank you! — if you’d like to show your support for this little known but very efficient and effective non-profit organization, Please go here for making your annual contribution!)**
