It is 3:55 am, and I’m tossing and turning in my tent on Monkey Island, listening to the rhythm of small waves brushing the shoreline. The moon is bright, the breeze is soft, and the air is that perfect temperature where only my feet need the sleeping bag. Frogs and crickets are working overtime, providing the comforting soundtrack of a night deep in nature.

I have decided that tomorrow will be my final day on the river. I’ll be pulling my boat from the water for the last time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The cold nights and crystal-clear headwaters of the north are long gone. The charming river towns of the mid-section and the adrenaline of navigating locks and dams are now many miles behind me.

At Baton Rouge, the “Mighty Mississippi” loses her glory. She transforms into what is known as “Cancer Alley”—a stretch of water so burdened by industrial toxins that it has become the most polluted river segment in the country.  It is a heartbreaking reality that the chemicals we dump into our waterways have poisoned the final leg of an otherwise incredible journey through the heart of America.

Am I capable of finishing the final two or three days to the Gulf? Of course. But is it worth the burning lungs and the “toxic soup” just for the sake of completion? For me, the answer is no. This river has been paddled by countless people over hundreds of years; I have nothing left to prove to it, or to myself.

My heart is full as I look back on the people I’ve met. To the helping hands, the kind words, and the “river angels” who appeared when I needed them most: you made this adventure unforgettable. I am deeply inspired by the kindness of the American people and blessed by the family and friends who have carried me through.

This trip was a team effort. When the sun rises, I will pack my gear one last time for the final 75 miles to Baton Rouge. I plan to savor every mile, reflecting on the faces, the places, and the memories that now define this journey. 

Thank you all for the encouragement, the motivation, the endless shuttles, the donations to charity, and the burgers and coffee along the way.

I appreciate you all more than words can say….. Now it’s on to the next adventure!