Dear Fans of Old Man River Project,
I am please to tell you that the Old Man River Project has reached the Gulf of Mexixo. We are now driving ANNIE back to Baton Rouge.
110 days since departing Bemidiji State Park the expedition has ended. Wow.
I am proud of what we have accomplished. This expedition was not easy, however it was more than worth while. The Mississippi River has brought me closer to understanding my place in this complicated world. The widsom I have gained will take years to fully understand and so for now I will marvel in the wonder of this moment; knowing we as a team took on so much and over came even more.
There will be more blogs to come and the full story, captured in over 600 hours of video is on it’s way.
See you down river,
Brett
This post was created at this location.
#1 by Quad Cities Waterkeeper on December 10th, 2009
Congratulations. Completed In time for Christmas at home with family and friends. I am thrilled those oars or sweeps got you where you needed to go. I thought about you all day long and how I would of loved to been there. Take care my friends. Awesome job.
Sincerely, Art Norris
Quad Cities WATERKEEPER
#2 by alejandra on December 10th, 2009
FELICIDADES! you guys are super inspirational and awesome! Glad to have you guys back in BR for a few days!
#3 by Sarah on December 10th, 2009
Congratulations to all of you! I’ve been reading all your posts, and I’ve been amazed by your spirit and determination. And now you have reached your goal! It was such a pleasure meeting you in Port Byron, and I’m looking forward to your full story. Happy happy, joy joy!
#4 by Gramma and Grampa on December 10th, 2009
Congratulations to the crew of the good ship “Annie”. What a fantastic accomplishment. From the time you started your journey we’ve often thought of the following poem:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must – but never quit.
author unknown
You are all champions and you accomplished your goal…we’re so proud of you. And Sarah, we can[t wait to see you! Love, G and G
#5 by carrie gray-stewart on December 10th, 2009
Sarah, and Crew.. I am so proud of each and everyone of you. What an accomplishment.
So glad you have completed your mission, and the above comment from your Grandparents is so well said ! I know they can’t wait to see you in TX.. I guess I will just have to wait a little longer, but I know you will enjoy every minute spending time with your WONDERFUL GRANDPARENTS who take such an interest in all that you do. They are your number 1 fans !
#6 by Sheri on December 10th, 2009
Priceless!
Love ‘n’ Hugs,
Sheri
#7 by Velma on December 10th, 2009
Thank you so much for letting me travel vicariously down the Mississippi with all of you.
#8 by Edwin Neill on December 10th, 2009
To all the crew – what a journey! Just wanted to send a quick note to let you know that we’re grateful for all the important work that you’re doing and we admire your dedication to the cause. We’re thinking of you down here in Hammond, La. and looking forward to seeing you again soon!
– Edwin, and the Neill Corporation team
#9 by Sheri on December 10th, 2009
Marylee or Paul…
Call me when the dust settles. We, Marilyn’s Nags and my Water Sentinels, are planning to feature the Dead Zone at our display for Bald Eagle Days here in the Quad Cities January 8-10 and would like a DVD about it if you have one. The event draws 20,000 people every year and is a perfect oppotunity to present your story.
Love and prayers answered,
Sheri
#10 by sue rogers (brett's mom) on December 10th, 2009
Congratulations to you all – I thought of you all day long and how I wish that I could have been there when you finished! This is such a huge accomplishment to the whole team & what a team it was! You all have endured so much and gained more and you are right Brett it will take months to totally process it all in your minds.
For the rest of your lives all of you will be wiser knowing that what you overcame from this journey there isn’t anything you can’t accomplish if you put your mind to it!
No words can express how proud I am of you Brett and how much I miss you.
#11 by Tom Boland on December 10th, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! What a fantastic adventure on a magnificent river. I’m really looking forward to your “full story”. Hope to see you next spring back in Dubuque. Wishing you all a happy and restful holiday season.
#12 by Judi Church on December 10th, 2009
Yahoo! Congratulations, guys. It has been wonderful following your journey–sometimes terrifying, always astounding. You are truly inspiring.
#13 by Prairie Rose on December 10th, 2009
Congrats, You made it!!!!!!
What an accomplishment!!!! I wish I could have been there to partake of the toast to the Old Man River Project.
#14 by BoyRoy on December 10th, 2009
Well done Max, Sarah, Kyle. J, Magnus, Doug, Kyle. Q. and of course Brett well done. Many have tried but many have given up, but your adventure had an important reason running down the centre of every step, rowing movement and sail setting you did. You all understood and believed in this ‘The Environment” and that gave you all the inner strength to over come all the pit falls you encountered and got you to the finishing line. I’m proud to know you all. WELL DONE
you’ll always be safe down river. One selfish question though, what am I going to do at night when there are no more updates ?
#15 by barry Rogers on December 10th, 2009
UNBELIEVABLE “”" What a accomplishment, the crew of Annie has shown perseverance, courage, determination, etc etc etc, all the ingredients that explorers in history have shown, where all proud of the crew and you should be proud of yourselfs, There will be a celebration for the crew when they return home at the Rogers home on Sun Dec 27, 905 335 8443 for info, for those of you who can’t attend i want you to know that theirs a outstanding rain check for you, our home will always be open to visitors of the oldman river project, i would like to thank all those who lend a helping hand to the crew on their journey.
#16 by Celina Walker on December 10th, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS TEAM!!!! You ALL must be so proud to have accomplished such an amazing journey. I have sincerely enjoyed reading your blogs and following your inspiring trip. YOur an amazing team and Bret’s an Awesome leader. I wish that I could have been there at the finish! 600hrs is ALOT of video! Cant wait to see it all!
Peace & Love!!
#17 by Melissa Hammell on December 11th, 2009
Congratulations to all of you!! You leave me SO inspired. Safe travels home!
m
#18 by Gary Hapke on December 11th, 2009
Congratulations Brett -to you and your entire Team. I knew you would do it! It was great getting updates and you all deserve a round of applause for the trip being a success. You should all be proud of your accomplishment.
Looking forward to the continued video’s etc . Wishing you all a safe trip home and look forward to seeing you Brett at some point over the holiday season.
#19 by Debbie on December 11th, 2009
BRAVO Brett, Cliff, Tank, Riggy, Sarah, Magnus and Max. Great teamwork and determination.. Be proud of yourselves and LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN! Sending hugs to all of you. xo
#20 by siobhan mcauley on December 11th, 2009
yeah! good on ya’s…..now go have some fun in NO. see you when you get home. congratulations for all your efforts.
#21 by peter stewart on December 11th, 2009
congrats on a job well done!… what an adventure!
#22 by Richard on December 11th, 2009
Fantastic ! Safe Home , Richard, Wabasha Crew
#23 by Sam & Sue on December 11th, 2009
Feel that PAS (Post Adventure Syndrome) setting in already! We’ll miss following the adventures of Annie and crew and will continue to pass on the word to visit your blog. Congratulations on “mission complete”. A proud day for you and yours!
Love,
Sam & Sue xo
#24 by Lyndsey on December 11th, 2009
WOW! Amazing job guys! Cant wait to hear all your stories. You are all an inspiration! <3
#25 by Subaru Tom on December 11th, 2009
Congratulations.I followed you all the way down after meeting you in Frontenac.Very proud of you all.
#26 by Kim and Ken on December 11th, 2009
Congratulations to all of you for reaching your goal! We, your blog -followers loved sharing the experience with you!
#27 by Charles on December 11th, 2009
Congratulations to Annie and her fearless crew for reaching their dream. It has been a most wonderful experience for me also to have been able to follow along with you.
Charles
#28 by Diane on December 11th, 2009
Congratulations Crew and Annie. Also congratulations to your families who gave you the encouragement and support to spread your wings and set out on an incredible adventure. It doesn’t seem that long ago since I watched you from my office window at the first lock, St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, but I’m sure what you have gained in the meantime is priceless. Enjoy the celebration and good luck in the transition to life off the river.
Diane
#29 by Peter Ryder on December 11th, 2009
Congrats to you all – Brett you must be one amazing leader and organizer to pull off such an incredible journey. Not once but twice!
Thanks for keeping my good friend Kyle Q. safe and sound. I would love for Kyle to bring you and your crew with him for a dinner/BBQ/ fire or something, to show you how much respect I have for you and to hesr your stories in person.
#30 by Lori & Randy on December 11th, 2009
Congratulations!
I hope to take you up on it some day. And team you know you are always welcome ANYTIME back here.
Those of us on the frozen end of the Mississippi River who have been following your journey wish we could be there with you all. New Orleans will be a great place to kick up your heals.
Enjoy the Jazz music.
I will be on rainy Lake Ice fishing Dec. 27th but will toast to you all for the celebration. Wish I could be there. Thanks for the invatation “momma Rogers”
There is only one success-
to be able to spend your life in your own way.
-Christopher Morley
I hope you spend it always being proud of yourselves and Happy!!!!!!
Peace- Love you all..
Again.. CONGRATULATIONS
Sunshyne
#31 by sue rogers (brett's mom) on December 11th, 2009
After congratulating Kyle, Tank, Sarah, Brett, Magnus, Doug and Max earlier I neglected to
send a sincere thank-you to all the people (and there are so many of you) from
the beginning to end who helped the team out
in so many ways. This journey could not have
been as successful had it not been for the generosity and kindness you shared with this incredibly brave team!
Please know it was a tremendous relief to us parents back home knowing that you “were out there” to lend support and help when needed so thank-you all from the bottom of my heart!
#32 by tracy on December 11th, 2009
Congratultion on making it to the end wish I could have been there to see you finish. We all will be waiting for the videos and more after you settle back and relax a bit before the really hard work going through all the tapes and photos. If you ever get back this way we will have a big party for you and celebrate. Have fun and see you down river. your friend and buddy tracy.
#33 by Sharon Br state capital on December 11th, 2009
Hooray you guys did it awesome job. You all accomplished alot together you proved with team work and love ones you can accomplish anything. Great job to all of you and may God bless your journey home.
#34 by Cassie on December 11th, 2009
Warmest Congrats to all of you!! I have been following this blog since day one and am so proud of all of your accomplishments. I am so proud of the people of the worlds you rowed through, how with open arms and generosity, they made this adventure even sweeter for all of you. Continued wishes for safe travels for all of you to wherever your R & R begins this holiday season. I look forward to seeing of your adventures and further goals of changing/raising awareness in this world. Smiles!
#35 by Larson Boats on December 11th, 2009
Nice work Team Annie! Glad to see that Annie’s little “cosmetic surgery” on her bottom held up all the way to the Gulf! We have followed your journey from here at the boat factory on the banks of the upper Mississippi in Little Falls, Minnesota, and are not only proud of your courage and persistance…but wish we could be there with you swimming in the water. It is 10 below zero here now, and your peaceful upper river is now completely frozen over. Enjoy the waether down there!!
Best regards in your future endeavors from your friends at The Larson Boat Company!
#36 by Karen & Denis Dolan on December 11th, 2009
Congratulations. We are so glad we met up with your group at our home in Little Falls. It will be different not having your blog to enlighten us each evening. Looking forward to your video.
#37 by Patti & Marshall on December 11th, 2009
Awesome!! You are all such great individuals. All the best to each of you on your next adventure in life! Merry Christmas. I don’t know how 2010 can be more exciting than what you’ve just experienced but we know you can make that happen.
#38 by Aunt Guin & Uncle John on December 12th, 2009
Bravo team! You’ve done it! Now we can all sleep better. Our thanks to all of your supporters along the way too. Can’t wait for the behind the scenes stories and video. Best wishes to you all!
#39 by Chris Robinson on December 12th, 2009
Well done guys! I’m glad that everything turned out well and I look forward to seeing some video!
#40 by Wade & Virginia on December 12th, 2009
Congratulation to you all. You are a true inspiration to all and you can accomplish any thing you set your mind. Job well done. And if you’re ever floating down the river again be sure to stop in and say Hi.
#41 by Barb on December 12th, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS GUYS, what an adventure. I have followed you with your updates and all and I couldn’t be more proud. You made it but I always knew you would. Unbelievable. I’ve been on the Mighty Mississippi River once, in Memphis and all I can say, it is quite the river. Looking forward to any DVD’s when available. Wishing the crew of the Annie a Joyous Christmas and Holiday Season and all the Best in 2010.
Take Care
Barb from Collingwood, ON.
#42 by donna haug on December 14th, 2009
congrats! wow what a wonderful experience! Have a great Christmas. Merry Merry to all of the crew and Annie.
Donna
#43 by Steve on December 15th, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM OF THE OLD MAN RIVER PROJECT!!!! It has been a wonderful experience following you down river since we met in mid November. (Grand Tower Ill) Hope to see more blogs from you. Have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I’m sure Annie will miss the team and i hope she will love her new home. Again, THANKS! Steve
#44 by deb smith on December 18th, 2009
FANTASTIC & life changing I am sure. Quite an accomplishment on so many levels. Congratulations Brett. Deb and family
#45 by Susan Rogers on December 18th, 2009
Hey I really miss reading those updates on your blog as I’m sure many others do too.
At the same time I am thankful it is over (well
almost when Brett, Doug and Kyle Q fly home).
I am so glad that I got to meet each of you back in October and got to row Annie.
I will never forget you and of course Annie!
Merry Christmas to each one of you and all the very best in your future endeavors! You are amazing!!!!
#46 by Lorna Chapman on December 29th, 2009
Hey Brett
I’ve been following the Old Man River project since the beginning and have enjoyed your adventure. I’d like to offer my congratulations to you and your crew for conquering your goal and not giving up. Good job – maybe I’ll see you for a haircut when you get back??!!