[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] shut up we’ve all said it right I could
shut up we’ve all said it right I could
shut up we’ve all said it right I could have done that I could I don’t know I
have done that I could I don’t know I
have done that I could I don’t know I could have done something and I would
could have done something and I would
could have done something and I would have too if only I’d done something else
have too if only I’d done something else
have too if only I’d done something else or headings on something else I don’t
or headings on something else I don’t
or headings on something else I don’t know but I shoulda I should have we’ve
know but I shoulda I should have we’ve
know but I shoulda I should have we’ve all had that thought and I had that
all had that thought and I had that
all had that thought and I had that thought when I was a kid I had a dream
thought when I was a kid I had a dream
thought when I was a kid I had a dream of paddling around Tampa Bay I used to
of paddling around Tampa Bay I used to
of paddling around Tampa Bay I used to carry a canoe paddle around
carry a canoe paddle around
carry a canoe paddle around I still do actually as you see my dream
I still do actually as you see my dream
I still do actually as you see my dream really was to paddle canoe more than any
really was to paddle canoe more than any
really was to paddle canoe more than any reason because I could afford a canoe
reason because I could afford a canoe
reason because I could afford a canoe and I couldn’t afford anything else
and I couldn’t afford anything else
and I couldn’t afford anything else so I dreamed of the canoe when I found
so I dreamed of the canoe when I found
so I dreamed of the canoe when I found out I could get one for 50 bucks and I
out I could get one for 50 bucks and I
out I could get one for 50 bucks and I dreamed that I dreamed and in my
dreamed that I dreamed and in my
dreamed that I dreamed and in my imagination there was a beautiful young
imagination there was a beautiful young
imagination there was a beautiful young girl waiting on a dock and she was going
girl waiting on a dock and she was going
girl waiting on a dock and she was going to fall in love with me when I pulled up
to fall in love with me when I pulled up
to fall in love with me when I pulled up but you know I just never did it it
but you know I just never did it it
but you know I just never did it it never happened life happened war
never happened life happened war
never happened life happened war happened College happened I fell in love
happened College happened I fell in love
happened College happened I fell in love I got married I had children and I never
I got married I had children and I never
I got married I had children and I never got around to following that dream but
got around to following that dream but
got around to following that dream but years later 50 years later in fact I had
years later 50 years later in fact I had
years later 50 years later in fact I had another dream and that dream occurred
another dream and that dream occurred
another dream and that dream occurred right here at the University of North
right here at the University of North
right here at the University of North Georgia and I was doing research and
Georgia and I was doing research and
Georgia and I was doing research and teaching my research involved the rivers
teaching my research involved the rivers
teaching my research involved the rivers of North Georgia’s Chattahoochee River
of North Georgia’s Chattahoochee River
of North Georgia’s Chattahoochee River primarily but also the Etowah it was one
primarily but also the Etowah it was one
primarily but also the Etowah it was one of my favorite rivers and it just so
of my favorite rivers and it just so
of my favorite rivers and it just so happens that the water divided for these
happens that the water divided for these
happens that the water divided for these two rivers occurs here at the ung campus
two rivers occurs here at the ung campus
two rivers occurs here at the ung campus or part of it does so I was intrigued by
or part of it does so I was intrigued by
or part of it does so I was intrigued by that and I began to imagine I could
that and I began to imagine I could
that and I began to imagine I could connect those rivers if I could paddle
connect those rivers if I could paddle
connect those rivers if I could paddle down one and somehow get across the Gulf
down one and somehow get across the Gulf
down one and somehow get across the Gulf that wasn’t clear in my mind but somehow
that wasn’t clear in my mind but somehow
that wasn’t clear in my mind but somehow get down the Gulf and get to the other I
get down the Gulf and get to the other I
get down the Gulf and get to the other I could come back up it and I would have
could come back up it and I would have
could come back up it and I would have connected them that was my dream but
connected them that was my dream but
connected them that was my dream but somehow
somehow
somehow things just got in the way and mundane
things just got in the way and mundane
things just got in the way and mundane things of life happened until one night
things of life happened until one night
things of life happened until one night I got a phone call from I got a phone
I got a phone call from I got a phone
I got a phone call from I got a phone call from the Veterans Administration
call from the Veterans Administration
call from the Veterans Administration and the Veterans Administration doctor
and the Veterans Administration doctor
and the Veterans Administration doctor had a lot of things to say I didn’t
had a lot of things to say I didn’t
had a lot of things to say I didn’t quite get all the words but I heard
quite get all the words but I heard
quite get all the words but I heard words like unusual blood numbers and
words like unusual blood numbers and
words like unusual blood numbers and Agent Orange exposure from Vietnam and
Agent Orange exposure from Vietnam and
Agent Orange exposure from Vietnam and further tests and I sort of quit
further tests and I sort of quit
further tests and I sort of quit listening about their and so as soon as
listening about their and so as soon as
listening about their and so as soon as I got off the phone with this man I got
I got off the phone with this man I got
I got off the phone with this man I got on the internet and I began to research
on the internet and I began to research
on the internet and I began to research some of these terms that researched
some of these terms that researched
some of these terms that researched blood numbers Agent Orange and I kept
blood numbers Agent Orange and I kept
blood numbers Agent Orange and I kept coming up with the same thing exactly
coming up with the same thing exactly
coming up with the same thing exactly the same thing and that was chronic
the same thing and that was chronic
the same thing and that was chronic lymphocytic leukemia and that was kind
lymphocytic leukemia and that was kind
lymphocytic leukemia and that was kind of upsetting I I went through a day or
of upsetting I I went through a day or
of upsetting I I went through a day or so of being kind of scared and kind of
so of being kind of scared and kind of
so of being kind of scared and kind of upset but then I turned those lemons
upset but then I turned those lemons
upset but then I turned those lemons into lemonade and I began to plan this
into lemonade and I began to plan this
into lemonade and I began to plan this trip I wrecked the the dream I had was
trip I wrecked the the dream I had was
trip I wrecked the the dream I had was of gently coasting down the river not
of gently coasting down the river not
of gently coasting down the river not working too much maybe not even picking
working too much maybe not even picking
working too much maybe not even picking up the paddle I was just gonna glide
up the paddle I was just gonna glide
up the paddle I was just gonna glide okay and by the time I got in for the
okay and by the time I got in for the
okay and by the time I got in for the additional tests I already had pretty
additional tests I already had pretty
additional tests I already had pretty well processed all this I was no longer
well processed all this I was no longer
well processed all this I was no longer frightened and the doctor told me what
frightened and the doctor told me what
frightened and the doctor told me what was going on told me I’d be okay for a
was going on told me I’d be okay for a
was going on told me I’d be okay for a while chemo was out there in the future
while chemo was out there in the future
while chemo was out there in the future so I took that information and I began
so I took that information and I began
so I took that information and I began to plan this trip and the trip really
to plan this trip and the trip really
to plan this trip and the trip really when I began to map it I realized it
when I began to map it I realized it
when I began to map it I realized it wasn’t quite what I thought it was it
wasn’t quite what I thought it was it
wasn’t quite what I thought it was it involved 550 miles going down one river
involved 550 miles going down one river
involved 550 miles going down one river system 200 miles along the Gulf still
system 200 miles along the Gulf still
system 200 miles along the Gulf still wouldn’t sure how that was gonna work
wouldn’t sure how that was gonna work
wouldn’t sure how that was gonna work but I figured I’d deal with that other
but I figured I’d deal with that other
but I figured I’d deal with that other people of paddled along the Gulf so
people of paddled along the Gulf so
people of paddled along the Gulf so surely I could and then come up River
surely I could and then come up River
surely I could and then come up River how hard could that be
how hard could that be
how hard could that be it’s only 760 miles as it turned out and
it’s only 760 miles as it turned out and
it’s only 760 miles as it turned out and yeah other people have done it people
yeah other people have done it people
yeah other people have done it people almost my age so that was the plan
almost my age so that was the plan
almost my age so that was the plan and like any academic I thought I could
and like any academic I thought I could
and like any academic I thought I could turn this
turn this
turn this to a sabbatical you know yeah you know
to a sabbatical you know yeah you know
to a sabbatical you know yeah you know that’s one of those uniquely academic
that’s one of those uniquely academic
that’s one of those uniquely academic institutions where we get a year off or
institutions where we get a year off or
institutions where we get a year off or a semester off sometimes with the pay
a semester off sometimes with the pay
a semester off sometimes with the pay sometimes with not I parlayed it into a
sometimes with not I parlayed it into a
sometimes with not I parlayed it into a year with pay it just took a little
year with pay it just took a little
year with pay it just took a little doing and I took my plan to the
doing and I took my plan to the
doing and I took my plan to the University and talked to the
University and talked to the
University and talked to the administration put my case told them how
administration put my case told them how
administration put my case told them how wonderful this would be for the
wonderful this would be for the
wonderful this would be for the university and I probably didn’t mention
university and I probably didn’t mention
university and I probably didn’t mention the fun I was gonna have but I made it
the fun I was gonna have but I made it
the fun I was gonna have but I made it sound to them like this was going to be
sound to them like this was going to be
sound to them like this was going to be the greatest thing that ever happened to
the greatest thing that ever happened to
the greatest thing that ever happened to the university I would write papers that
the university I would write papers that
the university I would write papers that would give talks I would bring praise
would give talks I would bring praise
would give talks I would bring praise upon the university and if I wasn’t here
upon the university and if I wasn’t here
upon the university and if I wasn’t here I wouldn’t be embarrassing them like I
I wouldn’t be embarrassing them like I
I wouldn’t be embarrassing them like I occasionally do so they actually thought
occasionally do so they actually thought
occasionally do so they actually thought is a pretty good idea I did beg a little
is a pretty good idea I did beg a little
is a pretty good idea I did beg a little perhaps but they gave me approval and I
perhaps but they gave me approval and I
perhaps but they gave me approval and I began to really plan the trip an artist
began to really plan the trip an artist
began to really plan the trip an artist the scientific part of the trip the part
the scientific part of the trip the part
the scientific part of the trip the part that I sold the administration on was a
that I sold the administration on was a
that I sold the administration on was a lagrangian sampling scheme that is I was
lagrangian sampling scheme that is I was
lagrangian sampling scheme that is I was going to follow a slug of water from the
going to follow a slug of water from the
going to follow a slug of water from the headwaters all the way down to the Gulf
headwaters all the way down to the Gulf
headwaters all the way down to the Gulf down the Chattahoochee River to the
down the Chattahoochee River to the
down the Chattahoochee River to the Florida line and then on into the
Florida line and then on into the
Florida line and then on into the Apalachicola River to Apalachicola Bay
Apalachicola River to Apalachicola Bay
Apalachicola River to Apalachicola Bay and it was it was really something that
and it was it was really something that
and it was it was really something that could only be done out of a canoe the
could only be done out of a canoe the
could only be done out of a canoe the state of that of course I planned it
state of that of course I planned it
state of that of course I planned it that way so I’d have to paddle my canoe
that way so I’d have to paddle my canoe
that way so I’d have to paddle my canoe after all it was really about having a
after all it was really about having a
after all it was really about having a good time right and convinced the boss
good time right and convinced the boss
good time right and convinced the boss that I was working so I planned this
that I was working so I planned this
that I was working so I planned this part out I got some instruments from the
part out I got some instruments from the
part out I got some instruments from the state of Georgia a lot of equipment
state of Georgia a lot of equipment
state of Georgia a lot of equipment bought a lot of freeze-dried food I
bought a lot of freeze-dried food I
bought a lot of freeze-dried food I still wouldn’t sure how I was gonna get
still wouldn’t sure how I was gonna get
still wouldn’t sure how I was gonna get along the coast but I figured I deal
along the coast but I figured I deal
along the coast but I figured I deal with that when I got there I did buy a
with that when I got there I did buy a
with that when I got there I did buy a sail rig for the canoe and I practiced
sail rig for the canoe and I practiced
sail rig for the canoe and I practiced with it a little bit turns out that’s
with it a little bit turns out that’s
with it a little bit turns out that’s kind of neat as long as you have
kind of neat as long as you have
kind of neat as long as you have outriggers and then once I got the
outriggers and then once I got the
outriggers and then once I got the mobile bay a turn upriver and come back
mobile bay a turn upriver and come back
mobile bay a turn upriver and come back up the Mobile Alabama fukusa and Etowah
up the Mobile Alabama fukusa and Etowah
up the Mobile Alabama fukusa and Etowah rivers back to Dahlonega back to the
rivers back to Dahlonega back to the
rivers back to Dahlonega back to the North Georgia campus
North Georgia campus
North Georgia campus so that was the plan on September 22nd
so that was the plan on September 22nd
so that was the plan on September 22nd 2012 I put the plan into action my wife
2012 I put the plan into action my wife
2012 I put the plan into action my wife Kathy and several friends went with me
Kathy and several friends went with me
Kathy and several friends went with me we went up to the base of Brasstown Bald
we went up to the base of Brasstown Bald
we went up to the base of Brasstown Bald walked over the divide where the
walked over the divide where the
walked over the divide where the Appalachian Trail runs and then down the
Appalachian Trail runs and then down the
Appalachian Trail runs and then down the hill to the spring that is the source of
hill to the spring that is the source of
hill to the spring that is the source of the Chattahoochee River and Here I am at
the Chattahoochee River and Here I am at
the Chattahoochee River and Here I am at that spring there’s a common watering
that spring there’s a common watering
that spring there’s a common watering source for through hikers on the
source for through hikers on the
source for through hikers on the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail it’s very careful to take my water
it’s very careful to take my water
it’s very careful to take my water samples and then put a small amount of
samples and then put a small amount of
samples and then put a small amount of dye that’s approved by federal and state
dye that’s approved by federal and state
dye that’s approved by federal and state governments for this very purpose it’s
governments for this very purpose it’s
governments for this very purpose it’s non-toxic in the quantities I used and
non-toxic in the quantities I used and
non-toxic in the quantities I used and it disappears very quickly you have to
it disappears very quickly you have to
it disappears very quickly you have to detect it with instruments and I had
detect it with instruments and I had
detect it with instruments and I had that instrument from the state of
that instrument from the state of
that instrument from the state of Georgia the other folks went back by car
Georgia the other folks went back by car
Georgia the other folks went back by car and I went on foot down through the
and I went on foot down through the
and I went on foot down through the woods and down the Helen Cathy supported
woods and down the Helen Cathy supported
woods and down the Helen Cathy supported me met me with equipment and we got
me met me with equipment and we got
me met me with equipment and we got through Helen and then I put my canoe in
through Helen and then I put my canoe in
through Helen and then I put my canoe in the water the canoe was loaded with
the water the canoe was loaded with
the water the canoe was loaded with about 350 pounds of gear and you see
about 350 pounds of gear and you see
about 350 pounds of gear and you see some of it out here on the on the rock I
some of it out here on the on the rock I
some of it out here on the on the rock I very quickly fell into this routine of
very quickly fell into this routine of
very quickly fell into this routine of testing the water and a pedal and down
testing the water and a pedal and down
testing the water and a pedal and down river and then I’d stop and I’d wait on
river and then I’d stop and I’d wait on
river and then I’d stop and I’d wait on the die to come and when the die arrived
the die to come and when the die arrived
the die to come and when the die arrived cording to the instruments I test the
cording to the instruments I test the
cording to the instruments I test the water again jump in the boat paddle
water again jump in the boat paddle
water again jump in the boat paddle paddle paddle head on down the river
paddle paddle head on down the river
paddle paddle head on down the river catch the die again it worked pretty
catch the die again it worked pretty
catch the die again it worked pretty well at night it turned out I had to
well at night it turned out I had to
well at night it turned out I had to stay up pretty much all night I’d sleep
stay up pretty much all night I’d sleep
stay up pretty much all night I’d sleep for 30 minutes my internal alarm would
for 30 minutes my internal alarm would
for 30 minutes my internal alarm would go off I’d get up and go test for died
go off I’d get up and go test for died
go off I’d get up and go test for died down at the river when it arrived which
down at the river when it arrived which
down at the river when it arrived which I don’t know why I didn’t plan better
I don’t know why I didn’t plan better
I don’t know why I didn’t plan better but it almost always seemed to be at
but it almost always seemed to be at
but it almost always seemed to be at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and then
2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and then
2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and then that sample and now to get a couple more
that sample and now to get a couple more
that sample and now to get a couple more hours sleep blowed it all up head on
hours sleep blowed it all up head on
hours sleep blowed it all up head on down the river came a good routine I did
down the river came a good routine I did
down the river came a good routine I did catch up on sleep when I get to a
catch up on sleep when I get to a
catch up on sleep when I get to a reservoir because I couldn’t really test
reservoir because I couldn’t really test
reservoir because I couldn’t really test there I’d reintroduce the dye below the
there I’d reintroduce the dye below the
there I’d reintroduce the dye below the reservoir eventually we got some good
reservoir eventually we got some good
reservoir eventually we got some good results I presented these results at
results I presented these results at
results I presented these results at conferences I’ve written the papers that
conferences I’ve written the papers that
conferences I’ve written the papers that I promised University I would write that
I promised University I would write that
I promised University I would write that made them happy and it was okay with me
made them happy and it was okay with me
made them happy and it was okay with me the data are out there it’s done a
the data are out there it’s done a
the data are out there it’s done a little good for some people it really
little good for some people it really
little good for some people it really could
could
could firmed what we thought we knew but
firmed what we thought we knew but
firmed what we thought we knew but science is like that you don’t just
science is like that you don’t just
science is like that you don’t just assume that you know what you think you
assume that you know what you think you
assume that you know what you think you know you go test you gather data that’s
know you go test you gather data that’s
know you go test you gather data that’s what science is all about for me the
what science is all about for me the
what science is all about for me the trip was more about the beauty about
trip was more about the beauty about
trip was more about the beauty about enjoying what I was going to see along
enjoying what I was going to see along
enjoying what I was going to see along the way meeting interesting people this
the way meeting interesting people this
the way meeting interesting people this is Neptune I swear to you I came around
is Neptune I swear to you I came around
is Neptune I swear to you I came around a bend in the river and here’s this
a bend in the river and here’s this
a bend in the river and here’s this stump and it looked just to me like
stump and it looked just to me like
stump and it looked just to me like Neptune saying go this way so I went
Neptune saying go this way so I went
Neptune saying go this way so I went that way
that way
that way he was pointing the right way I did
he was pointing the right way I did
he was pointing the right way I did paddle a little bit at night I was
paddle a little bit at night I was
paddle a little bit at night I was frightening the first time but it’s
frightening the first time but it’s
frightening the first time but it’s certainly beautiful little sliver of a
certainly beautiful little sliver of a
certainly beautiful little sliver of a moon there quite peaceful not many
moon there quite peaceful not many
moon there quite peaceful not many people out there I went through a lock I
people out there I went through a lock I
people out there I went through a lock I went through several locks corps of
went through several locks corps of
went through several locks corps of engineers was still operating them
engineers was still operating them
engineers was still operating them nothing quite as intimidating as being
nothing quite as intimidating as being
nothing quite as intimidating as being in this cavern intended for barges and
in this cavern intended for barges and
in this cavern intended for barges and tugboats he needed BD canoe and and
tugboats he needed BD canoe and and
tugboats he needed BD canoe and and feeling kind of out of place and the
feeling kind of out of place and the
feeling kind of out of place and the lock operator was standing up there
lock operator was standing up there
lock operator was standing up there saying you okay down there it was kind
saying you okay down there it was kind
saying you okay down there it was kind of fun actually and it beat walking
of fun actually and it beat walking
of fun actually and it beat walking eventually I made it to Apple ice-cold
eventually I made it to Apple ice-cold
eventually I made it to Apple ice-cold Bay Cathy met me there we had a
Bay Cathy met me there we had a
Bay Cathy met me there we had a three-day respite and then she took all
three-day respite and then she took all
three-day respite and then she took all the scientific gear and I just sort of
the scientific gear and I just sort of
the scientific gear and I just sort of checked in with the administration from
checked in with the administration from
checked in with the administration from time to time and said yep it’s still
time to time and said yep it’s still
time to time and said yep it’s still working out here and I started trying to
working out here and I started trying to
working out here and I started trying to figure out how to get down the Gulf
figure out how to get down the Gulf
figure out how to get down the Gulf Coast
Coast
Coast I had the sail rig so I wanted to be
I had the sail rig so I wanted to be
I had the sail rig so I wanted to be outside where I’d get some good wind but
outside where I’d get some good wind but
outside where I’d get some good wind but I really didn’t know where I’d sleep I
I really didn’t know where I’d sleep I
I really didn’t know where I’d sleep I thought hey it’s all developed right and
thought hey it’s all developed right and
thought hey it’s all developed right and where am I gonna sleep it turned out
where am I gonna sleep it turned out
where am I gonna sleep it turned out there were lots of camp sites I wouldn’t
there were lots of camp sites I wouldn’t
there were lots of camp sites I wouldn’t have imagined these are places you just
have imagined these are places you just
have imagined these are places you just don’t see in a car little islands here
don’t see in a car little islands here
don’t see in a car little islands here an Air Force Base there whoops did I say
an Air Force Base there whoops did I say
an Air Force Base there whoops did I say I kept on an Air Force Base state parks
I kept on an Air Force Base state parks
I kept on an Air Force Base state parks I did get permits to stay in the state
I did get permits to stay in the state
I did get permits to stay in the state parks and eventually I got on down where
parks and eventually I got on down where
parks and eventually I got on down where I was off shore one day and a pod of
I was off shore one day and a pod of
I was off shore one day and a pod of dolphins came along and this is quite a
dolphins came along and this is quite a
dolphins came along and this is quite a pod of dolphins it was like a bunch of
pod of dolphins it was like a bunch of
pod of dolphins it was like a bunch of teenage boys they were rolling closer
teenage boys they were rolling closer
teenage boys they were rolling closer and closer to the boat you know and they
and closer to the boat you know and they
and closer to the boat you know and they were like daring each other and finally
were like daring each other and finally
were like daring each other and finally this one dolphin he comes up and he
this one dolphin he comes up and he
this one dolphin he comes up and he slaps the bow
slaps the bow
slaps the bow my canoe with his tail and now I don’t
my canoe with his tail and now I don’t
my canoe with his tail and now I don’t speak too often but I know what went on
speak too often but I know what went on
speak too often but I know what went on is that guy just before he did it he
is that guy just before he did it he
is that guy just before he did it he said hey y’all watch this and then boom
said hey y’all watch this and then boom
said hey y’all watch this and then boom they took off okay
they took off okay
they took off okay it was a magical moment eventually I did
it was a magical moment eventually I did
it was a magical moment eventually I did reach booby land turn north heading
reach booby land turn north heading
reach booby land turn north heading upriver and they got into the Mobile
upriver and they got into the Mobile
upriver and they got into the Mobile River
River
River I began to realize hey this is actually
I began to realize hey this is actually
I began to realize hey this is actually hard the currents go in the other way
hard the currents go in the other way
hard the currents go in the other way who knew and I developed some technique
who knew and I developed some technique
who knew and I developed some technique you stayed the inside of the bends you
you stayed the inside of the bends you
you stayed the inside of the bends you stay behind rocks and stumps call those
stay behind rocks and stumps call those
stay behind rocks and stumps call those Eddie’s and then there were dams I would
Eddie’s and then there were dams I would
Eddie’s and then there were dams I would come to these dams and now I’m going
come to these dams and now I’m going
come to these dams and now I’m going upstream so the dam important Jews were
upstream so the dam important Jews were
upstream so the dam important Jews were uphill rather than downhill most of them
uphill rather than downhill most of them
uphill rather than downhill most of them were mercifully short maybe a quarter of
were mercifully short maybe a quarter of
were mercifully short maybe a quarter of a mile or so a few like this one were in
a mile or so a few like this one were in
a mile or so a few like this one were in the woods this was two and a half miles
the woods this was two and a half miles
the woods this was two and a half miles as I recall on sandy trails and over
as I recall on sandy trails and over
as I recall on sandy trails and over rough terrain but I turned it into
rough terrain but I turned it into
rough terrain but I turned it into lemonade again I would take a break lay
lemonade again I would take a break lay
lemonade again I would take a break lay out in the in the leaves in the sunshine
out in the in the leaves in the sunshine
out in the in the leaves in the sunshine I think it was November or December by
I think it was November or December by
I think it was November or December by the time I was here so that sunshine was
the time I was here so that sunshine was
the time I was here so that sunshine was nice I did have to carry from time to
nice I did have to carry from time to
nice I did have to carry from time to time I would normally take me six
time I would normally take me six
time I would normally take me six carries occasionally seven depending on
carries occasionally seven depending on
carries occasionally seven depending on how much stuff I had with me I carry the
how much stuff I had with me I carry the
how much stuff I had with me I carry the boat and a little bit of stuff on my
boat and a little bit of stuff on my
boat and a little bit of stuff on my back and then come back for another load
back and then come back for another load
back and then come back for another load but I don’t think I ever carried more
but I don’t think I ever carried more
but I don’t think I ever carried more than a quarter of miles that wasn’t too
than a quarter of miles that wasn’t too
than a quarter of miles that wasn’t too bad good exercise I had great campsites
bad good exercise I had great campsites
bad good exercise I had great campsites the campsites were as much as I could on
the campsites were as much as I could on
the campsites were as much as I could on public property I didn’t want to intrude
public property I didn’t want to intrude
public property I didn’t want to intrude on people when I did have to camp on
on people when I did have to camp on
on people when I did have to camp on private property I either got permission
private property I either got permission
private property I either got permission or if I couldn’t find an owner I just
or if I couldn’t find an owner I just
or if I couldn’t find an owner I just made sure I wasn’t around any no
made sure I wasn’t around any no
made sure I wasn’t around any no trespassing signs and not around
trespassing signs and not around
trespassing signs and not around anyone’s house I didn’t want someone
anyone’s house I didn’t want someone
anyone’s house I didn’t want someone looking out the window saying hey what’s
looking out the window saying hey what’s
looking out the window saying hey what’s that old man doing out there you know
that old man doing out there you know
that old man doing out there you know and I always cleaned up I practiced No
and I always cleaned up I practiced No
and I always cleaned up I practiced No Trace camping and I look for any trash
Trace camping and I look for any trash
Trace camping and I look for any trash that was already there and I pick it up
that was already there and I pick it up
that was already there and I pick it up that makes me feel good it’s very
that makes me feel good it’s very
that makes me feel good it’s very selfish act picking up trash eventually
selfish act picking up trash eventually
selfish act picking up trash eventually I got on up near the headwaters I’ve
I got on up near the headwaters I’ve
I got on up near the headwaters I’ve been told I couldn’t do this my friends
been told I couldn’t do this my friends
been told I couldn’t do this my friends who were paddlers said you know the last
who were paddlers said you know the last
who were paddlers said you know the last 3040 miles you’re not making that it’s
3040 miles you’re not making that it’s
3040 miles you’re not making that it’s too steep the car
too steep the car
too steep the car is too fast too many Rapids waterfalls
is too fast too many Rapids waterfalls
is too fast too many Rapids waterfalls settle wah Falls is a feet high you just
settle wah Falls is a feet high you just
settle wah Falls is a feet high you just can’t do it they didn’t know I bought
can’t do it they didn’t know I bought
can’t do it they didn’t know I bought these boots okay
these boots okay
these boots okay and my plan was get out of the boat and
and my plan was get out of the boat and
and my plan was get out of the boat and wait and drag it how hard could it be
wait and drag it how hard could it be
wait and drag it how hard could it be you know it’s only be out of the boat 15
you know it’s only be out of the boat 15
you know it’s only be out of the boat 15 20 minutes they don’t get back in paddle
20 minutes they don’t get back in paddle
20 minutes they don’t get back in paddle paddle paddle and sighs out of the boat
paddle paddle and sighs out of the boat
paddle paddle and sighs out of the boat more than half the day the last two days
more than half the day the last two days
more than half the day the last two days my feet would go numb
my feet would go numb
my feet would go numb then my legs would go numb let’s start
then my legs would go numb let’s start
then my legs would go numb let’s start watching my feet to make sure I didn’t
watching my feet to make sure I didn’t
watching my feet to make sure I didn’t stick them in a hole and break my leg
stick them in a hole and break my leg
stick them in a hole and break my leg because I figured I’d never feel that
because I figured I’d never feel that
because I figured I’d never feel that coming but I did I was careful
coming but I did I was careful
coming but I did I was careful I look for Eska one good friend of mine
I look for Eska one good friend of mine
I look for Eska one good friend of mine Richard Grove came along and he would
Richard Grove came along and he would
Richard Grove came along and he would get upriver of where I was gonna be that
get upriver of where I was gonna be that
get upriver of where I was gonna be that day and he’d cut trees out of the river
day and he’d cut trees out of the river
day and he’d cut trees out of the river great friend good guy so I made it I was
great friend good guy so I made it I was
great friend good guy so I made it I was so close to my goal
so close to my goal
so close to my goal I was focused on my goal I just kept
I was focused on my goal I just kept
I was focused on my goal I just kept going kept plugging away
going kept plugging away
going kept plugging away despite of the discomfort and the pain
despite of the discomfort and the pain
despite of the discomfort and the pain and then on February 14 2013 I swear to
and then on February 14 2013 I swear to
and then on February 14 2013 I swear to you I got a Valentine’s kiss I came
you I got a Valentine’s kiss I came
you I got a Valentine’s kiss I came around a bend and there were my friends
around a bend and there were my friends
around a bend and there were my friends my wife my daughter and her wife had
my wife my daughter and her wife had
my wife my daughter and her wife had come over from Alabama a lot of friends
come over from Alabama a lot of friends
come over from Alabama a lot of friends had gathered and it was an incredibly
had gathered and it was an incredibly
had gathered and it was an incredibly emotional finish to the trip I still
emotional finish to the trip I still
emotional finish to the trip I still remember it I still get goose bumps
remember it I still get goose bumps
remember it I still get goose bumps thinking about it like I do thinking
thinking about it like I do thinking
thinking about it like I do thinking about walking across the Edmund Pettus
about walking across the Edmund Pettus
about walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge into Selma Alabama Selma Alabama
Bridge into Selma Alabama Selma Alabama
Bridge into Selma Alabama Selma Alabama a lot of good memories from the trip so
a lot of good memories from the trip so
a lot of good memories from the trip so I guess I would kind of wrap it up here
I guess I would kind of wrap it up here
I guess I would kind of wrap it up here by by addressing what what does it all
by by addressing what what does it all
by by addressing what what does it all mean what did this trip mean to me I did
mean what did this trip mean to me I did
mean what did this trip mean to me I did a lot of thinking I thought about how I
a lot of thinking I thought about how I
a lot of thinking I thought about how I lived my life up to this point I thought
lived my life up to this point I thought
lived my life up to this point I thought about what I was gonna do with the rest
about what I was gonna do with the rest
about what I was gonna do with the rest of my life and I will say one of my
of my life and I will say one of my
of my life and I will say one of my great successes in the trip is I’m
great successes in the trip is I’m
great successes in the trip is I’m living my life that way now and I
living my life that way now and I
living my life that way now and I thought some of the big thoughts Who am
thought some of the big thoughts Who am
thought some of the big thoughts Who am I why am I here yeah I never figured
I why am I here yeah I never figured
I why am I here yeah I never figured that out but at least I thought about it
that out but at least I thought about it
that out but at least I thought about it I have some ideas but how do you really
I have some ideas but how do you really
I have some ideas but how do you really answer that question so those are the
answer that question so those are the
answer that question so those are the questions that I faced and and I
questions that I faced and and I
questions that I faced and and I actually looked back to that Kudo
actually looked back to that Kudo
actually looked back to that Kudo idea that had disappointed me so much
idea that had disappointed me so much
idea that had disappointed me so much you know hon you know what I coulda and
you know hon you know what I coulda and
you know hon you know what I coulda and I woulda and I actually did so my
I woulda and I actually did so my
I woulda and I actually did so my question to you is what dream do you
question to you is what dream do you
question to you is what dream do you have what’s been back there what’s your
have what’s been back there what’s your
have what’s been back there what’s your canoe trip
canoe trip
canoe trip what’s your Appalachian Trail hike you
what’s your Appalachian Trail hike you
what’s your Appalachian Trail hike you dream of writing a book how about
dream of writing a book how about
dream of writing a book how about keeping a set of Diaries and then giving
keeping a set of Diaries and then giving
keeping a set of Diaries and then giving them to your children or not maybe
them to your children or not maybe
them to your children or not maybe you’ll just burn them I don’t know you
you’ll just burn them I don’t know you
you’ll just burn them I don’t know you know maybe go get another college degree
know maybe go get another college degree
know maybe go get another college degree or get that first college degree you
or get that first college degree you
or get that first college degree you have a dream you know you do that’s the
have a dream you know you do that’s the
have a dream you know you do that’s the thing that comes up when you’re stuck in
thing that comes up when you’re stuck in
thing that comes up when you’re stuck in traffic or you’re stuck in a boring
traffic or you’re stuck in a boring
traffic or you’re stuck in a boring meeting we all have those so what would
meeting we all have those so what would
meeting we all have those so what would it take for you to do that is it really
it take for you to do that is it really
it take for you to do that is it really important is that dream important this
important is that dream important this
important is that dream important this dream was tremendously important to me
dream was tremendously important to me
dream was tremendously important to me Martin Seligman said that one of the
Martin Seligman said that one of the
Martin Seligman said that one of the great satisfactions of life is being
great satisfactions of life is being
great satisfactions of life is being involved in a big project something
involved in a big project something
involved in a big project something bigger than yourself being in flow as he
bigger than yourself being in flow as he
bigger than yourself being in flow as he called it and then achieving something
called it and then achieving something
called it and then achieving something apart from what the something is that
apart from what the something is that
apart from what the something is that achievement itself is tremendously
achievement itself is tremendously
achievement itself is tremendously rewarding to the psyche and you know
rewarding to the psyche and you know
rewarding to the psyche and you know that you’ve had those achievements so
that you’ve had those achievements so
that you’ve had those achievements so this dream you have what would it take
this dream you have what would it take
this dream you have what would it take is it gonna take a midnight call from
is it gonna take a midnight call from
is it gonna take a midnight call from your doctor is that what it’s gonna take
your doctor is that what it’s gonna take
your doctor is that what it’s gonna take or maybe she just do it what do you
or maybe she just do it what do you
or maybe she just do it what do you think should you you know the answer you
think should you you know the answer you
think should you you know the answer you know thank you
know thank you
know thank you [Applause]
”
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