We discover the “Rivergator”

And other video snapshots illustrating the natural wonders of the Lower Mississippi River

Lower Mississippi River Dispatch No. 994
"Voice of the Lower Mississippi River"

INTRO: Please click on below videos to bring them to life.  In this issue we share some video glimpses of the natural wonders of the Lower Mississippi River, as recently experienced "Surfing a 688-Mile Long Wave" from Cairo, IL, to St. Francisville, LA.  This is a continuation of previous newsletter Cairo to Montezuma, Rivergator 2025, the Journey of the Ladybug Canoe, (and on 2nd half, the Keith Kirkland).  Documentation & exploration on the biggest river in North America to update the Rivergator Paddler’s Guide (and simultaneously the Wild Miles).  Last paddled in 2017.  What has changed?  What remains the same?  Expedition run by Quapaw Canoe Company with support from Lower Mississippi River Foundation.

(Scene #1) 1st Chickasaw Bluff, viewed mid channel, Old Mouth of the Forked Deer River

(Scene #2) 2nd Chickasaw Bluff, near Randolph, TN

(Scene #3) Honeybees on Ground Mimosa, Palmyra Chute

(Scene #4) Beaver, Brandywine Lower

(Scene #5) Song of the Willow Forest, Beaver Lodge, Seven Oaks Island 

(Scene #6) Young Crawfish crawling across Sand Dune opposite L'Argent Island 

(Scene #7) Water beetles cling to our stern line at base of Tunica Hills

(Scene #8) We discover the living “River Gator,” a 3-foot one-eyed gator juvenile, who visits us midstream as we paddle downstream towards Little Island.

Thank Yous:
Expedition Partner: Whit Smith (on summer internship from St. John's College, Santa Fe, NM, campus)
Expedition Members: Mike Beck, Ben Quaintance, Randy Jackson, Jean Canôt 
Shuttles: Mark River Peoples and Michael Orr
Resupply: Layne Logue and Peggy Pierrepont 
Support: Lower Mississippi River Foundation

688 miles from Cairo, IL, to St. Francisville, LA

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