Gday from down under (Melbourne, Australia),

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