Group plans Missouri River "Rumble"

Join hundreds of other canoeists on a week-long adventure.

JEFFERSON CITY--What better way to observe the Lewis and Clark bicentennial than by retracing their steps on a 185-mile Missouri River canoe trip? That's exactly what Midwest River Expeditions plans to do during the 2004 Great River Rumble. Everyone who is interested in rediscovering the Missouri River is invited.

The voyage of rediscovery will begin Aug. 1 at Brunswick and wind up Aug. 7 at Washington. Along the way, upwards of 200 modern-day voyageurs will watch bald eagles and other wildlife, comb sandbars for arrowheads and artifacts from sunken riverboats, mark the passage of landmarks mentioned in Lewis and Clark's journals and explore local culture in river communities.

"This event is made to order for people who have always wanted to float the Missouri River but who lacked the experience or confidence to do it alone," said Rex Klein, president of Midwest River Expeditions, a non-profit organization. "It's a great way to learn the ropes while making lasting friendships."

If canoeing 20 to 30 miles a day sounds grueling, consider that simply drifting in the current carries canoeists downriver at 3 to 4 miles per hour. Moderate paddling effort provides enough speed to allow time for frequent stops to stretch legs and explore.

After each day's float, "rumblers" will spend the night in campgrounds in or near river towns. Overnight stops will include Glasgow, Boonville, Easley, Jefferson City, Chamois, Hermann and Washington. Access to showers and portable toilets is available at stopovers, too. Rumblers who prefer more luxurious accommodations can reserve rooms in hotels or bed and breakfasts.

Caterers and restaurants provide breakfasts and lunches in stopover towns. Floaters arrange their own sack lunches.

The cost is $125 per person. This covers insurance, showers, campground fees, transportation of floaters' duffle to each nightly stopover and the cost of a farewell banquet Aug. 7. It does not include other meals, shuttle service from Washington to Brunswick ($25 per person, $25 per boat) or canoe rental ($20 per day).

Rumble staffers are unpaid volunteers who donate their time to make the events possible. Midwest River Expeditions calls the annual event "a trip by the people, for the people." The group's goals are promoting enjoyment of big rivers and environmental awareness. For full details of the trip, visit http://www.riverrumble.org/ or write to Great River Rumble, P.O. Box 3408, Dubuque, Iowa 52004-3408.

- Jim Low -

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