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Four times the fun in the quad cities:
Our first stop was Port Byron where the head quarters of the Quad Cities Waterkeeper program is situated.

One morning, Tank and Magnus headed out with the Living Lands and Waters environmental action group to help with a program of volunteers pick up rubbish by the river. Chad Pregracke, the leader of this organisation showed us the ropes of river clean up and then showed us some pretty sweet moves on his skateboard down at the skate park.

Art Norris, waterkeeper and action man of water integrity in the area, took us under his wing, gave us an insight into the waterkeepr program in the Quad cities and jumped aboard ship. We were a band of merry men as we travelled further south. Wade, local hog farmer, Dave, the owner of “G’s”, the funkiest bar in Port Byron and his in house guitar man, Jeff were armed with acoustic guitar and many tunes to keep us rowing in time down to Sunset marina in Rock Island.

That night Marilyn and Sherri, two fine ladies leading the environmental action group NAGs (National Area Guardians), took the crew down to Nahant marshland where we slept with the turtles and learned about the marshland and what it means to the Mississippi. We also enjoyed a few scoops of “Whitey’s” ice-cream which is a local favourite and the crew agreed.

The fun continued with Marilyn hosting us at her farm house property on a bluff over looking the river. A good old fashioned farm party was had and even the horses and donkeys got involved so they made us smell right at home. We were then shown around her property which contains beautiful prairie lands and a traditional Indian burial ground.

We’ve now had one wet night back on the river. But it’s the days of cold rain which make the days of sunshine all the sweeter.

Special mention must also go to Tracy, our new found buddy who has followed us down through the Quad cities and greeted us today with cheeseburgers for lunch. Couldn’t have come at a better time.

In particular it has been great to have been able to connect with these different environmental action groups within the Quad cities but even better to see them connect and have us introduce them to each other. We hope that this can only help bring these causes together and strengthen their common interest in the health of the river.

Stay dry my friends. And if not, make sure you’re wearing wool.

Max is very much missed as the crew is getting used to being one man down. But alas, it is not goodbye my friend because we will see you, and hopefully many more friendly faces, down river,
Magnus

This post was created at this location.

To the other end of the scale, where today, after sharing a meal downtown, only blocks away a tornado hit.  No catastrophic damage was done but a huge amount of rain and thunderstorms have passed through in the last day.

It has been a huge trip across the Pacific but arriving to great family friends and their warm hospitality has been amazing.  I will miss it and cherish it for the moments of frustrating “portage” and cold nights ahead (I got informed what if meant to “portage” by a 12 year old today and I was told it’s pretty easy with a canoe – don’t know about a 360 kg wooden boat).  Don’t know what Brett’s got planned with that but tomorrow I will find out with the big reunion.  Can’t wait.

Many thanks to the Nylander, Jones, and Deming family for their love and support which is priceless.

Cheers,

Magnus

Congratulations to new Mom Sarah, new Dad Scott (middle 2nd row) and another grandchild for Nan Judy Nylander

See you later Alligator

Saying farewell to the family

Well after hanging up my footy boots for the last time and packing away my surfboard till next Summer, it’s time to go.

This trip for me is three years in the making. That’s when I first met Brett travelling through Europe and when he first whispered the thought of riding the Mississippi to me.

This trip will be epic. On Sunday I will make the trek across the Pacific to San Fran and then onto Minneapolis and finally bus it up to Bemidji to meet the crew for the first time. Having not seen Brett for 2 years and having not met any other crew members before, I really feel I am throwing myself in the deep end. But that is adventure. I just hope Brett knows some good “getting to know you” games otherwise we may be in strife.

I have lived in Melbourne for most of my life and am scared to leave. I am putting a double degree in mechanical engineering and law on hold for a semester. Instead of choosing to apply for an internship at a law or engineering firm, I have decided to chase these dreams of adventure as I believe what you learn out there is much more important than anything you learn in a firm. Most people have no idea what they’re missing out on.

I look forward to getting on the water and meeting the rest of the crew. I just hope the others feel the same way.

Cheers,
Magnus

Melbourne High School Old Boys Football Club

A good morning session down the coast