Thank You for your support!
Thanks from Jon, Monkey face, Jeff and Lil Pug!
Any big river paddling trip like this requires lots of planning. However, once the paddling starts, a big part of the plan goes out the window. Things like wind, river current, lightning and many other unforeseen challenges all take part in laying a float plan to waste. The people that we encounter along the river make all the difference as we endeavor to adjust to continuously changing plans and conditions. In the list below I want to acknowledge the many folks who went out of our way to make this trip a success. Thank You!
Brad Collet: Tennessee River Line, Knoxville, TN
Brad, from day one on the river, you were there for us. From helping us with logistics, to connecting us with members of the RiverLine community it would have been a very different experience without you being with us throughout our journey. Then, the final welcome in Paducah, KY was just so special. We can't thank you enough. Please feel free to reach out to us as the project continues to evolve. We are happy to help in any way we can.
Chase Clem: Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Kingston, TN
Chase, met us at the boat ramp as we landed in Kingston. He helped us get our boats stored in the secure boat dock, gave us a ride to the hotel along with our gear. Arranging for us to me the City Manager David Bolling was a real treat. Thank you too for the ride back to the boat ramp the next morning. You went out of your way to make us feel welcome.
Ron Woody: County Executive, Roane County, TN
Ron, it was really nice having you join us for for dinner in Kingston with Brad, Pam and her husband. We really enjoyed sharing our river experiences with you. We appreciate you following along on the blog during the entire trip and for all of your encouraging blog comments. It was an extra treat seeing you again in Knoxville for the RiverLine launch ceremony.
Pam May: Executive Director, Roane Alliance, TN
Pam, thank you so much for treating us to dinner during our brief visit in Kingston. We had so much fun laughing and sharing stories with you and your husband.
David Bolling: City Manager Kingston, TN
David, when Chase diverted us to your office on the way to our hotel we didn't know what to expect. We really enjoyed visiting with you in your office. Your leather chairs were the most opulent chairs we experienced the entire journey. It was great hearing your paddling stories. Also, thank you for your recommendation on camping at Goat Island. It was by far the best campsite of the trip!
Sonny Hunter: Facilities Manager Kingston, TN
Sonny, I'm so glad I bumped into you at the boat ramp. You were our original welcome to Kingston and you did your community proud. Thank you for your help in getting our boats secured in the floating marina. You are a true river magician!
Sarah Stahl: Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Scottsboro, AL
Sarah, on what was shaping up to be one of our darkest days on the river, you came to the rescue. Helping us secure lodging at the Jackson Park cabin for the night, transporting our boats and gear, not once, but three times you were the true embodiment of a river angel. We can't thank you enough. It was so nice having dinner with you and Daniel. Meeting your daughter and hearing her chicken raising stories was a real highlight! Also, it was so nice seeing you again and paddling with you at the RiverLine launch ceremony. Thank you.
Milla Sacks: Exec Asst to Mayor Leigh Dollar, Guntersville, AL
Milla, When things were looking dark, I reached out to you. Even though when I called we were out of your area of influence, you connected us with Sarah Stahl in Scottsboro. Thank YOU! It was also so nice to finally meet you in Guntersville. The lunch of BBQ sandwiches was awesome! Thank you too for bringing along reporter Joe Cagel. He did such a nice article on us. That would not have happened without you.
Danielle Gibson: President/CEO of Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Decatur, AL
Danielle, it was really nice meeting you on our stay in Decatur. We enjoyed our conversation, thanks to taking the time to come and see us. Thank you too for your gracious gift of covering our hotel room. Finally, thanks for connecting us with Dan Truitt, we had a nice time with him too!
Dan Truitt: Decatur, AL
Dan, we really enjoyed getting to know you. From our dinner in Decatur, to you helping haul our gear to the boat ramp, and taking us to resupply our food you were always there to help. Then, meeting us for dinner two nights later in Killen, we really appreciate you. I hope to paddle with you in the future.
Joe Cagel: Albertville, AL
Joe, it was nice meeting you in Guntersville with Milla Sachs. Thank you for the very nice article in the local paper on our journey.
Brandi Quick: Executive Director, Ditto Landing AL
Brandi, it was a treat to meet you when we stopped at Ditto Landing. What a nice surprise to meet someone that was totally plugged into the RiverLine. We believe you and the marina can play an important role in aiding future paddlers. It was great meeting you.
Beth Pippin: Tourism Director Harden County, Savannah, TN
Beth, thank you for venturing out in the thunderstorms to meet with us. Our dinner at the Outpost was so much fun. You helped make our zero day at Pickwick Landing an enjoyable one. I still remember your marketing tag, “Catfish to Cannonballs” Genius! Also, it was nice seeing you at the RiverLine launch ceremony.
Stacy & Christopher Huntingford: Clifton Marina, Clifton, TN
Stacy and Christoper, you guys were a highlight of the RiverLine. I'm so happy you were able to be part of the River City cleanup program. Finding you guys with camping, and a restaurant and a BAR all in one was awesome! Thank you for being very paddler friendly. Christopher thanks for keeping the bar open for us and some locals until 10:00 pm. We had a great time drinking Bourbon and sharing river stories!
Donna Wadford: Fisherdale Marina, Decaturville, TN
Donna, we have so much to thank you for. You helped us out with two nights on lodging when we really needed a warm dry place to stay. You gifted me a camp chair when UPS failed to get my replacement camp chair delivered on time. Your staff was always so kind and helpful. The Fisherdale marina definitely needs to be a part of the RiverLine experience.
Blair & Garret Travis: Director, Marketing, Communications & Business Development at Calvert City, KY
Blair and Garret, Thank you for helping us get around the Kentucky Lake Lock & Dam. You guys were very friendly and helpful. We really enjoyed our visit with you. We would love to possibly day paddle with you on the Cumberland river next year!
Julie Harris: Executive Director The River Discovery, Paducah, KY
Julie, thank you for being part of the Paducah welcoming committee. Also introducing us to the Barrel & Bond, and their amazing Bourbon selection! It was nice seeing you again at the RiverLine launch ceremony. Thank you for your support of the project!
Jeff Canter: PFGW Architects, Paducah, KY 42001
Jeff, thank you for being part of the Paducah welcoming committee. Also, thank you for helping me load my kayak onto my car top carrier. It was really nice seeing you again in Knoxville at the RiverLine launch ceremony.
Rosanna Wunrow: Oakdale, MN
Auntie Rosanna, thank you for your support throughout our trip. I always knew when Jon was talking with you because he had extra energy in his voice! Thank you also for reconnecting me and Jon together. The Mississippi River and the Tennessee river paddling with him was awesome!
Daryl & Bonnie Wunrow: Muskego WI
Dad and Bonnie, you guys were literally with us every paddle stroke of the way. I really looked forward to our phone calls, and Jon did too. You were our spirit river angels.
Shawn Pye: Lakeway, TX
Shawn, you are the best! You lived our journey with us for 3 days. Shuttling us to and from our boats so we could paddle empty. Having dinner and drinks each night as so awesome! You will be a part of the Cumberland river trip next year for sure! Thanks brother.
Dave & Tracy Wunrow: Franklin WI
Dave and Tracy, thank you so much for making the trip down from Milwaukee to welcome us on our landing at Paducah, KY. Having not seen you for almost 18 months due to Covid, it was very special that I could experience this ending with family.
Leslie Skoogland: Bloomington, IN
Leslie, first, thank you for loaning me your husband for 35 days. I hope I returned him to you in almost as good a shape as he was when you gave him to me. Also, thank you for making the six hour drive from Bloomington just to see me, (well, and your husband). It sure was nice to have a friendly face great us at the boat ramp at the end of the day.
Christina Wunrow: Ashland City, TN
Christina my love. I don't have the words to thank you for your patience in indulging me in my paddling passion. I simply could not do any of this without your love and support. I hope in some small way I've made you proud.
And finally, to all those who followed along on the blog, whether for a few days or the entire trip, we say thank you. There were many cold nights in camp when I didn't feel like writing. Knowing there were people out there waiting for an update really keep me going. Thank you!
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