During our second week of gratitude visits, we traveled to Minnesota, where we spent the first five weeks of our paddle in 2013. We had the occasion to visit and thank many of the river angels who helped us in so many ways – offering us meals, shelter, boat storage, transportation, and even help with repairs. It was nice to reminisce about the trip, but also to catch up with all that’s happened over the last few years. To those whom we didn’t get a chance to see, we are forever grateful for your kindness, and hope to catch up with you in the future!
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- Jason and Jeni, who helped us repair Donna’s hull after our infamous encounter with a granite rock. Now married, they are teaching their two-year old daughter to love the outdoors as much as they do.
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- DNR Sandy and her husband, Jeff at their home on the river near Grand Rapids. They love to offer a warm welcome and lodging to river travelers.
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- Dan and Nancy kept Donna safe in their yard while we stayed in Grand Rapids. Dan was busy making corn hole games for an upcoming charity art fair.
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- Deb is still the manager of The Mustard Seed. Her creative touch helps make this boutique thrift store a regular stop for those in the Deerwood community.
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- Les and Lucy brought us to dinner and to a Sertoma meeting as their guests. Les was our Brainerd chauffeur, trailing Donna to our cabin home at Camp Confidence and us to our volunteer services while in town.
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- Tod and Linda hosted us during our portage through Sauk Rapids, and taught us the importance of rest. On this trip, we joined them at their cabin up north, a serene location for an eventual retirement.
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- Adam and Brittany trusted us with the keys to their Sauk Rapids apartment when we needed a place to stay. We traveled to their new hometown of Duluth, and found out that this act of generosity not only blessed us, but God used it to deepen their faith, as well. God is amazing!
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- At the Aitkin Campground, we even got to take Donna back on the Mississippi for an afternoon paddle. It’s a good thing we paddled the whole way when we were young(er)!
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- We even took time to sell a few books during our gratitude trip. Thank you to the CatTale’s Books and Gifts in Brainerd, Dunn Bros. Coffee in Bemidji, and The Mustard Seed in Deerwood for hosting signings. We appreciate you!
A special thank you to my brother, Dave, and sister-in-law, Karen, for hosting us in your home on the way up north and on the way back down to Wisconsin. It helped make our drives easier, and gave us a welcomed chance to visit with their family and with Mom!
Our next trip will be south, to Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Stay tuned!
All the best,
Barb and Gene
Paddle for a Purpose 
Thanks for sharing Barb. It’s fun putting faces with the characters:)
Glad you are enjoying meeting these wonderful people, Julie. I’m having fun reliving moments of the trip with your Summer book club meetings, too! God bless, Barb
My mother-in-law Joanne Radecke knows me so well… on a recent visit she told me about your book— Faith, friendship, fun …. and adventures in service to others, my favorite things too!! She has shared your book with me and I’m half way through reading it, I love it! Already thinking of others I want to buy it for who I know will enjoy it as much as me. You are both humble role models. Thank you for sharing and writing this adventure so eloquently. I live in Stillwater MN near the St Croix river so this all hits home! God bless!
Thank you so much, Tess, for the kind compliments. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the stories of our journey. It was our pleasure to take this trip, and we continue to be blessed by the relationships we’ve made through the trip and the book. We stayed at the St. Croix River confluence (Leo’s Landing) – what a beautiful area! Your mother-in-law is the friend of a close friend of mine, as well. We’d love to meet you, someday! God’s Peace, Barb