2003 Challenge - Daily Updates & Pictures
Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, 2003
Guinness Record Setting Event for 2 different rare diseases!
Right before the start, L to R Bob Bradford, Verlen Kruger, Clark Eid, in front of their Kruger Canoe; Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome, May 2003; Camera Used Angie Phelps
Saturday, May 10, 2003
Race start, 6 AM sharp at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, Itasca Lake Park, Minnesota, weather a little rainy, paddlers made good time today.... Many Rett families gathered at the headwaters to wish Team Hope well. Later, Bob and Tammy Hanson (rett parents) and Chuck and Lisa Evert (rett parents) had bananas and coffee hanging off the foot bridge at Coffee Pat Damn for that paddlers to grab as they went under it (and they did)! Dave Harrington meets the paddlers. Bill Pullen replaces Bob's cracked compass. Paddlers report it got dark during the Cross Lake crossing.
Chronology: 10:05 AM pass Coffee Pot landing, Iron Bridge, Bemidji Park; arrive Bemidji Park at 4:50 PM; arrive Ottertail Power Dam 6:55 PM; start Cross Lake at 9 PM and have departed Knutsen dam by 11:15 PM
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Road crew has hot stew waiting for the paddlers at 2 AM at Reese Landing and paddlers change into the kokatat dry suits. Extremely rough overnight crossing of Lake Winny... the paddlers lost lights, waves crested over the bow, covered Bob and was hitting Clark in the chest. Paddlers make it to Winny Dam by 9:30 AM. Bob is the first paddler to sleep 27 1/2 hours after the start while Clark paddles. After the Leech Lake access stop Clark sleeps 34 hours after starting while Bob paddles. Jean Pullen writes that paddlers are at least 20 miles ahead of 1984 record... later Angie says they are behind Bob's "planned schedule" at this time (but still ahead of the 1984 record).
Chronology: Bob and Clark completed Lake Winny crossing; arrive Leech Lake River Access 3 PM; depart Pokegama Dam in Grand Rapids, MN 10:29 PM; depart Blandin Paper Company Dam by 11:20 PM.
Monday, May 12, 2003
Paddlers stop at Palisades and enjoy a meal from Tammy Hanson, rett mom and team groupie! Verlen and the road crew check out the Aitken Diversion channel. Bill Pullen ends up in the police station, Kent Spading send in a warning about L&D 27 (to come later).
Chronology: Paddlers passed Hwy 200 bridge near Jacobson, passed Sandy River stop, passed Bergland County Park in Palisades, Passed Hwy 168 bridge 10:41 PM.
Race start, 6 AM sharp at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, Itasca Lake Park, Minnesota, weather a little rainy, paddlers made good time today.... Many Rett families gathered at the headwaters to wish Team Hope well. Later, Bob and Tammy Hanson (rett parents) and Chuck and Lisa Evert (rett parents) had bananas and coffee hanging off the foot bridge at Coffee Pat Damn for that paddlers to grab as they went under it (and they did)! Dave Harrington meets the paddlers. Bill Pullen replaces Bob's cracked compass. Paddlers report it got dark during the Cross Lake crossing.
Chronology: 10:05 AM pass Coffee Pot landing, Iron Bridge, Bemidji Park; arrive Bemidji Park at 4:50 PM; arrive Ottertail Power Dam 6:55 PM; start Cross Lake at 9 PM and have departed Knutsen dam by 11:15 PM
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Road crew has hot stew waiting for the paddlers at 2 AM at Reese Landing and paddlers change into the kokatat dry suits. Extremely rough overnight crossing of Lake Winny... the paddlers lost lights, waves crested over the bow, covered Bob and was hitting Clark in the chest. Paddlers make it to Winny Dam by 9:30 AM. Bob is the first paddler to sleep 27 1/2 hours after the start while Clark paddles. After the Leech Lake access stop Clark sleeps 34 hours after starting while Bob paddles. Jean Pullen writes that paddlers are at least 20 miles ahead of 1984 record... later Angie says they are behind Bob's "planned schedule" at this time (but still ahead of the 1984 record).
Chronology: Bob and Clark completed Lake Winny crossing; arrive Leech Lake River Access 3 PM; depart Pokegama Dam in Grand Rapids, MN 10:29 PM; depart Blandin Paper Company Dam by 11:20 PM.
Monday, May 12, 2003
Paddlers stop at Palisades and enjoy a meal from Tammy Hanson, rett mom and team groupie! Verlen and the road crew check out the Aitken Diversion channel. Bill Pullen ends up in the police station, Kent Spading send in a warning about L&D 27 (to come later).
Chronology: Paddlers passed Hwy 200 bridge near Jacobson, passed Sandy River stop, passed Bergland County Park in Palisades, Passed Hwy 168 bridge 10:41 PM.
Clark Eid, Danita Baker, Bob Bradford, Danita's children, including two of her twin daughters, who have Rett Syndrome; duing the Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome & Leukodystrophies, 2003; Camera Used: Angie Phelp
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Dana says the paddlers are over 100 miles ahead of the record by this evening...Verlen Kruger gives some great advice about getting over the Diversion Dam... Stan Hanson, in an emotional moment says it doesn't matter if they break the record or not....
Chronology: 2 AM Aiken Flood diversion; passed Potlatch Dam in Brainerd, MN, 3:55 pm; arrived Fort Ripley Landing, 7:30 PM; arrived Little Falls Dam; 10:35 arrived Blanchard Dam
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
More paddlers join in with Clark and Bob and paddle to the Twin Cities, MN.....The whole team stops at Ken Ketter's Canoes....
Chronology: 4:05 AM Arrive Champion Dam; 5:14 AM arrive Lions Park upstream of Sauk Rapids, 7:02 AM; arrive St. Cloud Dam, 11:46 AM; arrive Montissippi State Park; arrive 6:25 PM Coon Rapids Dams; and arrive 7:15 PM Ketter's Canoe (Mpls).
Thursday, May 15, 2003
The Lake Pepin crossing is very smooth, but little/no current.... weather overall good...
Chronology: Paddlers arrived 12:08 AM Upper St Anthony Falls; arrive 1:32 AM L&D1; arrive 8:14 AM L&D 2; arrive 1:08 PM L&D 3 in Red Wing, MN. Lake Pepin crossing 2:28 PM to 6:48 PM; departed from L&D 4, Alma WI by 9:56 PM
Friday, May 16, 2003
Still well ahead of the 1984 Guiness record.
Chronology: Arrive 12:24 AM L&D 5, Fountain City, WI; 3:14 AM L&D 5A, Winona, MN; arrive 6:45 AM L&D 6 Trempealeau WI; 9:13 AM L&D 7, La Cross, WI; arrive 1:51 AM L&D 8, Genoa, WI; arrive 9:36 PM L&D 9 Harper's Ferry IA/Lynxville, WI;
Dana says the paddlers are over 100 miles ahead of the record by this evening...Verlen Kruger gives some great advice about getting over the Diversion Dam... Stan Hanson, in an emotional moment says it doesn't matter if they break the record or not....
Chronology: 2 AM Aiken Flood diversion; passed Potlatch Dam in Brainerd, MN, 3:55 pm; arrived Fort Ripley Landing, 7:30 PM; arrived Little Falls Dam; 10:35 arrived Blanchard Dam
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
More paddlers join in with Clark and Bob and paddle to the Twin Cities, MN.....The whole team stops at Ken Ketter's Canoes....
Chronology: 4:05 AM Arrive Champion Dam; 5:14 AM arrive Lions Park upstream of Sauk Rapids, 7:02 AM; arrive St. Cloud Dam, 11:46 AM; arrive Montissippi State Park; arrive 6:25 PM Coon Rapids Dams; and arrive 7:15 PM Ketter's Canoe (Mpls).
Thursday, May 15, 2003
The Lake Pepin crossing is very smooth, but little/no current.... weather overall good...
Chronology: Paddlers arrived 12:08 AM Upper St Anthony Falls; arrive 1:32 AM L&D1; arrive 8:14 AM L&D 2; arrive 1:08 PM L&D 3 in Red Wing, MN. Lake Pepin crossing 2:28 PM to 6:48 PM; departed from L&D 4, Alma WI by 9:56 PM
Friday, May 16, 2003
Still well ahead of the 1984 Guiness record.
Chronology: Arrive 12:24 AM L&D 5, Fountain City, WI; 3:14 AM L&D 5A, Winona, MN; arrive 6:45 AM L&D 6 Trempealeau WI; 9:13 AM L&D 7, La Cross, WI; arrive 1:51 AM L&D 8, Genoa, WI; arrive 9:36 PM L&D 9 Harper's Ferry IA/Lynxville, WI;
Bob Bradford, leaving Palisades, MN, Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophies, May 2003; Guinness Record Event; Camera used: Angie Phelps
Saturday, May 17, 2003
Angie reports a journey back in time ... the paddlers tape a radio show....paddlers are averaging over 100 miles a day ...
Chronology: Paddlers arrive L&D 10, Guttenberg, IA at 3:46 AM; arrive 2:26 PM Dubuque, IA, L&D 11; arrive 7:48 PM L&D 12 Bellevue, IA and depart at 8:42 PM
Sunday, May 18, 2003
Clark says they are now over 150 miles ahead of the 1984 record... the team gets more media coverage...Angie Phelps and gang are leaving the road crew but will be back for the end... Don Bradford, Bob's brother, shows up for moral support...
Chronology: Paddlers arrive L&D 13 (Clinton IA/Fulton, IL) 3:46 AM; arrive 10:19 AM L&D 14 (Pleasant Valley/LeClaire, IA; arrive 11:53 AM L&D 15; arrive 4:53 PM L&D 16 (Muscatine, IA); arrive 9:37 PM L&D 17 New Boston, IL and depart 10:59 PM
Monday, May 19, 2003
Team is at least through L&D 20, maybe 21 by the end of this day... paddlers are requesting ice, it's getting hot...Clark is taking sneaky pictures of Bob for the website "later"... the crew pulls together with the help of tug boat captains and the L & D 20 master and let the paddlers go ahead of a couple of tugs with their barges....
Chronology: 5:41 AM arrive municipal boat ramp Burlington, IA south of US34 bridge; 11:17 AM arrive Inspiration Point, Navoo, IL; arrive 1:49 PM L&D 19 Keokuk, Iowa; arrive 5:33 PM L&D 20 Canton, MO; arrive 9:24 PM L&D 21 Quincy, IL and depart 9:57 PM
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
190 miles ahead of the 1984 record in the morning.... very windy conditions.... cable/rudder problems... L&D 24 Master sends us some great photos...
Chronology: 1:45 AM arrived L&D 22 Saverton, MO/Hannibal, MO; 2:19 AM arrive boat ramp below L&D 22; 11:01 AM arrive L&D 24 Clarksville, MO; 3:30 PM canoed over top L&D 25 Cap Au Gris/Winfield, MO; 10:35 PM arrived Alton Marina Boat Ramp and depart at 11:53 PM
Angie reports a journey back in time ... the paddlers tape a radio show....paddlers are averaging over 100 miles a day ...
Chronology: Paddlers arrive L&D 10, Guttenberg, IA at 3:46 AM; arrive 2:26 PM Dubuque, IA, L&D 11; arrive 7:48 PM L&D 12 Bellevue, IA and depart at 8:42 PM
Sunday, May 18, 2003
Clark says they are now over 150 miles ahead of the 1984 record... the team gets more media coverage...Angie Phelps and gang are leaving the road crew but will be back for the end... Don Bradford, Bob's brother, shows up for moral support...
Chronology: Paddlers arrive L&D 13 (Clinton IA/Fulton, IL) 3:46 AM; arrive 10:19 AM L&D 14 (Pleasant Valley/LeClaire, IA; arrive 11:53 AM L&D 15; arrive 4:53 PM L&D 16 (Muscatine, IA); arrive 9:37 PM L&D 17 New Boston, IL and depart 10:59 PM
Monday, May 19, 2003
Team is at least through L&D 20, maybe 21 by the end of this day... paddlers are requesting ice, it's getting hot...Clark is taking sneaky pictures of Bob for the website "later"... the crew pulls together with the help of tug boat captains and the L & D 20 master and let the paddlers go ahead of a couple of tugs with their barges....
Chronology: 5:41 AM arrive municipal boat ramp Burlington, IA south of US34 bridge; 11:17 AM arrive Inspiration Point, Navoo, IL; arrive 1:49 PM L&D 19 Keokuk, Iowa; arrive 5:33 PM L&D 20 Canton, MO; arrive 9:24 PM L&D 21 Quincy, IL and depart 9:57 PM
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
190 miles ahead of the 1984 record in the morning.... very windy conditions.... cable/rudder problems... L&D 24 Master sends us some great photos...
Chronology: 1:45 AM arrived L&D 22 Saverton, MO/Hannibal, MO; 2:19 AM arrive boat ramp below L&D 22; 11:01 AM arrive L&D 24 Clarksville, MO; 3:30 PM canoed over top L&D 25 Cap Au Gris/Winfield, MO; 10:35 PM arrived Alton Marina Boat Ramp and depart at 11:53 PM
Comanche, Iowa, L to R Clark Eid Bob Bradord, Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome 2003; Camera Used: Bill Pullen
Muscatine, Iowa, L to R Bill Pullen, Capt Stan Hanson, Janet Bradford, Bob Bradford, Don Bradford, Clark Eid, Andrew Gribble; Clark Eid, Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome 2003; Camera Used: Don Bradford
Wednesday, May 21 , 2003 -
A fish attacks Clark.... Dana Hanson and Jon Young join the road crew... over 200 miles ahead of the 1984 record....
Chronology: arrive 12:13 AM Mel Price L&D Alton, IL; 3:11 AM arrive St. Louis Arch Park; 12:39 PM arrive St. Genevieve Harbor Marina Boat Ramp; arrive 6:53 PM Wittenberg Boat Club; 11:48 PM arrive Castor Boat Ramp
Thursday, May 22, 2003 -
409 miles ahead of the 1984 record.... the Coast Guard is calling and wants updates as the paddlers go through New Orleans.... corn growing in the road...
Chronology: 8:43 AM arrive Fort Defiance State Park; 12:53 PM arrive Bunge Grain Dock; 7:25 PM arrive Tiptonville Ferry landing river right and depart 7:59 PM
Friday, May 23, 2003 -
Mike and Denise arrive.....Lots of flooding going on so it's hard to meet the paddlers....Janet attempts to ignite her van by puncturing her gas line....
Chronology: arrive 12:41 AM Booth's Point above Hwy 412 Bridge; 7:27 AM arrive Ashport Landing; 10:51 arrive Ed Duvall Landing, TN; arrive 2:53 PM Mud Island Boat Ramp, Memphis, TN; 9:38 PM arrive Mhoon Landing Tunica, MS and depart at 10:20 PM
Saturday, May 24, 2003 -
Bob is clocked paddling 10 mph solo.... Denise is wishing she never asked about alligators.....Bob and Clark are 556 miles ahead of the 1984 record...
Chronology: arrive 2:58 AM Friars Point Landing, MS; 8:58 AM arrive Dennis Landing; arrive 2:34 PM Uncle Joe's Landing; 7:02 PM arrive Greenville Bridge; 11:20 PM passed Opossum Point Light; arrive 11:54 PM Miller Landing Grain Elevator
A fish attacks Clark.... Dana Hanson and Jon Young join the road crew... over 200 miles ahead of the 1984 record....
Chronology: arrive 12:13 AM Mel Price L&D Alton, IL; 3:11 AM arrive St. Louis Arch Park; 12:39 PM arrive St. Genevieve Harbor Marina Boat Ramp; arrive 6:53 PM Wittenberg Boat Club; 11:48 PM arrive Castor Boat Ramp
Thursday, May 22, 2003 -
409 miles ahead of the 1984 record.... the Coast Guard is calling and wants updates as the paddlers go through New Orleans.... corn growing in the road...
Chronology: 8:43 AM arrive Fort Defiance State Park; 12:53 PM arrive Bunge Grain Dock; 7:25 PM arrive Tiptonville Ferry landing river right and depart 7:59 PM
Friday, May 23, 2003 -
Mike and Denise arrive.....Lots of flooding going on so it's hard to meet the paddlers....Janet attempts to ignite her van by puncturing her gas line....
Chronology: arrive 12:41 AM Booth's Point above Hwy 412 Bridge; 7:27 AM arrive Ashport Landing; 10:51 arrive Ed Duvall Landing, TN; arrive 2:53 PM Mud Island Boat Ramp, Memphis, TN; 9:38 PM arrive Mhoon Landing Tunica, MS and depart at 10:20 PM
Saturday, May 24, 2003 -
Bob is clocked paddling 10 mph solo.... Denise is wishing she never asked about alligators.....Bob and Clark are 556 miles ahead of the 1984 record...
Chronology: arrive 2:58 AM Friars Point Landing, MS; 8:58 AM arrive Dennis Landing; arrive 2:34 PM Uncle Joe's Landing; 7:02 PM arrive Greenville Bridge; 11:20 PM passed Opossum Point Light; arrive 11:54 PM Miller Landing Grain Elevator
Near Baton Rouge; Bob Bradord, Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome 2003; Camera Used: Clark Eid
Sunday, May 25, 2003 -
What to do about floating debris....Buffet or a sandwich for lunch?... Things are just a tad bit wet tonight....
Chronology: 10 AM arrive Vicksburg, Isle of Capri Casino dock; 3:17 PM arrive Grand Gulf Boat Ramp; 9:39 PM arrive Natchez, MS and depart 9:57 PM
Monday, May 26, 2003-
600 miles ahead of the 1984 record.... Baton Rouge or bust.... bets are being taken for final time estimates... the paddlers are too fast to catch ....
Chronology: 5:40 arrive Knox Landing, Hydroelectric Plant; 8:04 AM arrive Angola Ferry landing; 1:13 PM arrive St. Francisville/New Roads Ferry Landing; 6:30 PM arrive Baton Rouge, Argosy Casino with CG escort;
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 -
Desiree has joined the road crew ....Paddlers are facing heavy fog this A.....The barges are getting nasty, winds are high, waves are rough.....
Chronology: 4:15 AM arrive Donaldsonville; 12:35 PM arrive Norco Boat Ramp; 6:41 PM arrive Algier's Point, Canal St. Ferry Landing; arrive 10:23 PM Belle Chasse Ferry Landing and depart 10:47 PM
What to do about floating debris....Buffet or a sandwich for lunch?... Things are just a tad bit wet tonight....
Chronology: 10 AM arrive Vicksburg, Isle of Capri Casino dock; 3:17 PM arrive Grand Gulf Boat Ramp; 9:39 PM arrive Natchez, MS and depart 9:57 PM
Monday, May 26, 2003-
600 miles ahead of the 1984 record.... Baton Rouge or bust.... bets are being taken for final time estimates... the paddlers are too fast to catch ....
Chronology: 5:40 arrive Knox Landing, Hydroelectric Plant; 8:04 AM arrive Angola Ferry landing; 1:13 PM arrive St. Francisville/New Roads Ferry Landing; 6:30 PM arrive Baton Rouge, Argosy Casino with CG escort;
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 -
Desiree has joined the road crew ....Paddlers are facing heavy fog this A.....The barges are getting nasty, winds are high, waves are rough.....
Chronology: 4:15 AM arrive Donaldsonville; 12:35 PM arrive Norco Boat Ramp; 6:41 PM arrive Algier's Point, Canal St. Ferry Landing; arrive 10:23 PM Belle Chasse Ferry Landing and depart 10:47 PM
NORCO - Camera Used Andrew Gribble; May 27, 2003, Many families who have children with Rett Syndrome or a Leukodystrophy greeted Team Hope; May 27, 2003; Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, May 2003
Wednesday, May 28 2003 -
Chronology: 2:49 AM arrive Pointe a LaHache Ferry Landing; 7:59 AM arrive Fort Jackson Park; 9:27 AM Passed Venice adn "The Jump"; 10:51 AM Reached Mile 0 marker!
2003 Record Set at 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes!
New World Guinness Record!
Fastest time to row the length of the Mississippi River by 2 person paddling team 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes
Paddlers: Bob Bradford and Clark Eid; Team: Team Hope
Event: The Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, 2003
Chronology: 2:49 AM arrive Pointe a LaHache Ferry Landing; 7:59 AM arrive Fort Jackson Park; 9:27 AM Passed Venice adn "The Jump"; 10:51 AM Reached Mile 0 marker!
2003 Record Set at 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes!
New World Guinness Record!
Fastest time to row the length of the Mississippi River by 2 person paddling team 18 days, 4 hours, 51 minutes
Paddlers: Bob Bradford and Clark Eid; Team: Team Hope
Event: The Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy, 2003
Mile Marker 0, L to R Bob Bradford, Clark Eid, stretching after being in the canoe for a few thousand miles :-); The Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrophy May 2003
After the finish: L to R Clark Eid Bob Bradord, Bob's grandson Justin sits in the canoe; Mississippi Challenge for Rett Syndrome 2003; Camera Used: Bill Pullen
Guinness Certificate; Photo by Clark Eid