Lewis and Clark first documented this amazing place. I was awed!
My canoe is down there. See it?
Tired dog. By now he is great in the canoe! I knew he would do it!
Author Archives: Craig Lanham
Wood Bottom to Coal Banks
Wood Bottom to Coal Banks.
I spent two days at Wood Bottom Recreation Area. This is where I was dropped off while my support crew headed back to St. Louis, Mo. Best support crew a guy could ever want.
The two days were spent sorting how I wanted all my gear, food, and water in the canoe. I also got my first water sample for Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation participation in the Microplastics research by
One of these two days Zeusy and I had to get under a tarp for the majority of the day. I recorded a temperature of 102° F and heard Loma, Mt officially declared the top temperature at 103° F. Way too blithering hot for a dog covered in black fur to lay in a canoe under direct sunshine. We would wait until tommorrow to launch. We may drive each other nuts sometime, but me and my pal haven’t hurt each other yet. No since in starting at this stage of our lives together. I mean outside of stepping on each others paws accidentally.
So the next morning I loaded up the canoe and had Zeusy get in. Understand that Zeusy did not take to lying down in the canoe as I paddled along. His 100 lbs of handsomeness would flip the canoe over in an instant. If I didn’t pay attention he And I would both be in the water with a sinking canoe full of Missouri river dreams. This was the start of his first canoe trip ever, and I am talking about a dog always on the move. Especially outdoors. It was a long day. But I had confidence that he would get it down in a few days because he always gets things down. I just knew he would.
So off we went past Decision Point where the Corps of Discovery had to figure out which was the true Missouri. They took the right way after much recon and debate. The named the other river the “Marias.” Then past the Marias we went until we get to Coal Banks Landing.
Once at Coal banks I found a campsite with an interesting sign.
Making it there
To: lanhamc1@gmail.com Show details
So I have a lot to write about and a ton to share ! I will hit on the highlights so this doesnt turn into a ling boring novel.
The trip to Montana was fantastic ! We stayed in a cabin in the Loma area for a few days putting things together like buying a canoe and related stuff you put into that canoe. Alesi and I took the canoe to the Teton river to try it out and to start conditioning Zeusy to canoe travel. It did not go without one complete tip into the water with predictability Zeusy being the first in the water. Thats because he jumped ! This daring act of getting out as fast as possible sent Alesi and I turning in the canoe and then into the water. Zeusy was happy to play with any log he could find in the river as we hand pumped the water out of a very water heavy canoe.
For you Lewis and Clark fans we visited Decision point. This is where the Captains consulting with everyone in the Corps of Discovery as to which was the real Missouri river. The river that came from the North or the one to the West. After a lengthy stay and a lot of recon they chose the one to the West. It was the right one. You can find that on your amazing map Rob Heege !
Ft. Benton is a very cool and super friendly place. We walked into a pharmacy and a gentleman sitting at a small table with a few older ladies immediatly assisted us with what we were looking for. Turns out that they are a bunch of people there for their impromptu morning coffee gatherings at the pharmacy. The gentleman didn’t even work there but was most helpful. Ft. Benton and Loma are very friendly places ! A big thank you to John the river guide, Mariah the waitress at the Grand Union Hotel, Brian at the BLM Interpretive center, and the biggest thank you to Scotty the Auctioneer. Your freindly character made a lot of things happen by you making a phone calls and for that I am grateful!
My last biggest thanks to my support crew Catamaran and Alesi. Without you two I would not be sitting with Zeusy camped looking at the famous White Cliffs of the Missouri river in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument of Montana putting these words down.
Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation
So it’s still a go and I will leave for Montana with the best support crew ever on Tuesday morning.
I have officially signed up with Adventures and Scientists for Conservation to collect water samples for a worldwide study of micro-plastics in the planets water. The study has been going for sometime and concentrated on seas and oceans. It is now moving to inland lakes and rivers. You can read more here…
http://www.adventurescience.org/microplastics.html
I am totally excited about this ! I have read about explorers since I have been a child. Scientific exploration has been a centuries old idea, and even racing to be the first to places like the North Pole has been scientific.
So here are a few scientific explorers I admire. You may have heard of some, some you may not.
Lewis and Clark and the U.S. Corps of Discovery……
Great to think I will be collecting samples from science on the water route of an 1804 – 1806 American scientific expedition of the Louisiana Purchase
Leo Miller, Naturalist for the New York Museum of Natural History….
Collected thousands and thousands of bird, mammal and reptile specimens across the planet in the early 1900’s. His book “In the Wilds of South America” published in 1919 is available online for free.
George K Cherrie, Naturalist, Ornithologist for New York Museum of Natural History…..
His book “Dark Trails” has his highlights of many stories of his life as an explorer in Central and South America. He not only collected specimens but was shot by a former disgruntled employee and had to walk for days to reach help. Him and his mates also won a bar in a poker game.
Colonel Teddy Roosevelt, Naturalist, Environmentalist…..
The President made several expeditions and gathered specimens for the New York Museum of Natural History.
The Roosevelt-Rondon scientific expedition of Brazil’s River of Doubt almost cost the Rough Rider his life. He handpicked Leo Miller and George K. Cherrie as his fellow naturalists on the expedition. His soon Kermit and Cherrie cared for the very ill Colonel, until they could get him home.
“Into the Brazilian Wilderness” was penned by the Colonel of this adventure.
So there is a few of many I admire. I will learn Tuesday more details of what is expected of me. I can’t wait ! I wonder if I will measure up to my heros ?
The scientists…
http://www.meriresearch.org/RESEARCH/MicroplasticsResearch/tabid/351/
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Zeusy goes to the Doctor
So the big boy went and visited his Veterinarian Dr. Stacey Schaeffer of the St. Louis Veterinary Clinic located in South St.Louis City. As the weeks now have turned into days before our departure it was prudent that I have my partner as ready as I am.
I first met Dr. Stacey at the World Bird Sanctuary where she volunteers her time to care for sick and injured Birds of Prey in the wildlife hospital. I soon learned to pay close attention because I was going to learn faster performing as a wildlife rehabilitator by listening during her exams of the birds. I then put what she wanted for the birds into my brain as well as practice. Taking Zeusy to her veterinary practice in South St. Louis I knew I wouldn’t be let down .
Once in the clinic the exam began with the super amazing Page being the Vet. Tech who would handle Zeusy as Dr. Stacey performed her exam. I was concerned because I knew he was not going to tolerate being pushed, poked and prodded. He never does.
Before I or Zeusy knew what was happening super amazing Page had him muzzled and restrained in a hold worthy of any MMA victory. Zeusy would have tapped out if he could have. In 9+ years I have never seen the thrasher so held in one spot so safely. I am still impressed !
This allowed Dr. Stacey to perform her always thorough exam, while giving me the best advice for this upcoming trip. Everything from explosive diarrhea to snake bites was covered. Zeusy is my best pal so watching him get the best of care just swells my heart and makes me happy.
Have an animal and want to go to the best veterinary practice ? Call St. Louis Hills Veterinary Clinic and make an appointment. Everyone there are great animal people and your pet will be well taken care of !
And thanks Catamaran for making it happen.
SolarPuff Disaster relief.
So I am taking a SolarPuff with me down the Missouri river, and going to purchase one or two more. I love this product because it is a solar alternative to kerosene , battery operated, or any kind of lamp you can think of. Waterproof too !
Now the amazing part. It was designed to provide lighting to disaster areas starting with the Haiti earthquake disaster. They now are on a mission to provide these amazing little lights to Nepal that was wrecked bad by an earthquake.
Want to get involved ? Go to their kickstarter campaign and donate !
These lights can provide lighting to those who need it. Not only for disaster relief but those in need of lighting to help normal everyday activities made harder by the disaster. Think about it ! A midwife performing her necessary care for a mother in labor. A farmer tending to his animals. A little boy or girl who is afraid of the dark.
So here is SolarPuff….. http://kck.st/1HkkIlE
Need even more votes !
We made it into the top 15 finalists for the “Live Your Kurgo Adventure.” We are elated ! Would you vote for us one more time? It is easy. Click on the link to our Kurgo profile and click the like button. Super simple. So vote for us one more time ! Thanks ! Zeusy would like to shake your paw!
http://liveyourkurgoadventure.com/project/navigate-the-waterways-of-the-usa/
Some thoughts on sponsorship………
Kurgo is sponsoring four different people, with four different dogs with their 2015 “Live your Kurgo Adventure” project. They have given these four different people with their four different dogs a fantastic opportunity to explore and complete their four different adventures. The plus side is they get the chance to photograph, video, and write for Kurgo so they can share this adventure with the World.
Sponsorship of adventures and exploration on our amazing planet has been occurring since man looked in the direction of terra incognita and has petitioned a more wealthy benefactor with a please and a thank you.
James Gordon Bennet jr, the wealthy heir of the New York Herald told his newspaper reporter Henry Morton Stanley to go find Livingstone on the African continent. Adventure for a news scoop, very common for the brash Bennet.
John Jacob Astor at one time the wealthiest man in the World sponsored an overland and naval expedition to what is now the Northwest United States to explore lands ripe with the furs so highly in demand in Asia and Europe. Astoria, Oregon is still named for him. A common gesture by adventurers to the financial backer of their enterprise. The expedition failed thanks to the war of 1812, but is an amazing story.
So why sponsor people and their dogs for an adventure? It makes sense actually. Only in the last century or more has the concept of cars, trucks, jeeps and airplanes as tools of adventure and exploration have come to be the norm. Before the horse became the beast of war and burden people traveled with their dogs. Indigenous people migrating with all their worldly goods packed on a travois that is strapped to their dog is well documented. Dogs are what pulls the sleds in colder hemispheres. Dogs got Amundsen the prize of the South Pole.
Some dogs are more well-known in the history of adventure and exploration. Seamus, Meriwether Lewis’s intrepid Newfoundland was the main dog of the Lewis and Clark expedition across America’s newly purchased territories from France. Robyn Davidson had her dog Diggity as she trekked across the deserts of Australia for over 1700 miles.
In today’s modern World the dog is still a daily part of life among their two footed friends. The lucky ones get to go explore the wilder places that seem to be a more natural fit for some dogs.
So Kurgo is giving four different people with their four different dogs an opportunity of a grand adventure. What a fantastic idea !
Need your votes !
Zeusy and I are trying to win a sponsorship thru Kurgo.
Kurgo is sponsoring a dog and their partner for an adventure. This website shows our adventure.
So please vote. It is easy. Click on link, scroll to bottom and hit the like button.
Zeusy salutes you !
http://liveyourkurgoadventure.com/project/navigate-the-waterways-of-the-usa/
In The Middle of Somewhere 