just met Bob

[river_joe]

My name is Joe Angert. I live in St. Louis and am a member of the Art Dept. faculty at Forest Park College.

I hang out in dam pool 25 on the Mississippi. I had just snapped a photo of Mary Lucy Lane upbound with a load of fuel oil at Rip Rap Landing (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UT ... 56391&z=14) when I saw a canoe coming down river. It was 10-31-08 at 2:50 pm.

Here's the photo of Mary Lucy Lane: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/299 ... 85206c.jpg

Don't see many canoes in this stretch of the Mississippi so I headed over to investigate and met Bob. I always stop and chat with canoeists when I see them. If they're paddling mid-state Missouri they're usually on an expedition. I've canoed about 1600 miles on the Mississippi and boated the entire river so I always enjoy swapping stories.

Bob looked just a little toasted by a bright Autumn sun, but he looked good and was in great spirits. We had a fine time swapping river stories and getting to meet each other. He's got fantastic weather these few days through mid Missouri and should make excellent time. Here's a photo of Bob: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/299 ... 9014fd.jpg

Joe Angert

[Youens-sister]

From Judy Park, Bob's sister
I was amazed when I saw "just met Bob". He's always been Bob to my brother and I and our families. I enjoyed seeing the "bearded Bob". It has been a month and a half since I've seen him. The towboat picture reminded me of something Bob told be last week. He had been to a museum and asked the question "What is the difference between a tugboat and a towboat?". They answered "If you work on a tugboat you take a brown bag for lunch. If you work on a towboat you eat in the dining room"

He spent the night with a very nice couple he met Saturday afternoon, and had the opportunity to check the website, read your post and see the great pictures. When we talked this evening, I gave him the contact numbers you posted. It's good to know he has someone to call.

[river_joe]

Hi Judy,

Pleased to meet you. I'm a river rat for years now (myself and my son). We've canoed and boated the Mississippi -- I know every inch of him. I'm out on the river as often as possible conditions permitting (2008 was a bad year), and I see much of what's going up and down. I've run into a number of expeditioners like Bob and I always stop and chat them up. I've seen a few too many out to get themselves drowned, thankfully Bob wasn't one of them. The most exotic I've met was a guy named Alex from Russia who was rowing down the Mississippi on a raft he'd made from 2 liter soda bottles and chicken wire.

Bob's near the half way point now and the trip is going to speed up. He's looking good. It sure made me feel good to see him wearing that life jacket like any solo canoeist should. I hope you don't mind if I hang out, watch his progress and kibitz a little about my river.

Joe

[Youens-sister]

Hi Joe,
It's great to have a Mississippi "river rat" join the adventure.

Bob talked to the students in Austin, before he left on his trip. One of the thoughts he shared with them was: If you want to fly like an Eagle, you better go find some Eagles and see how they do it. He is always prepared for his adventures, but eager to hear from anyone with expertise.

Thanks for hanging out with us - look forward to hearing your stories.

Judy