Day 7

Today was a good day- I went 42 miles. I left my camp spot this morning and headed for Jefferson City. When I got there I walked up into town to my buddy’s auto shop. As soon as I walked in he told me to grab a beer- just like he always does.

Then I walked to a used clothing store to try and find some tennis shoes in my size. I brought 3 pairs of shoes on this trip and I’m down to my last pair. The place didn’t have any but when I asked the women working for advice on where to run my other errands she asked her husband to drive me around where I needed to go. So he drove me to my errands then he even drove me back to my boat. That helped me save a lot of time!

Then I got back in my boat started paddling again. As I was going down the river I noticed a bit of water coming in my boat. It’s just a small leak but I’ll have to patch it up tomorrow. Good thing I brought some heavy duty duck tape. I’m camping tonight in Portland Mo. I’m just a block from the beer joint so I walked up there and got myself some dinner and drinks and talked with the locals. Tomorrow will be my shorted paddling day yet, it’ll be a big change of pace to spend most the day in town and off the river.

Day 5

This morning when I woke up I decided to mess around town a bit. I mailed some postcards and then headed to breakfast. I ordered 3 pancakes, 2 eggs, 3 pieces of bacon and a glass of milk, and it finished it all. Then I took my time breaking down camp. By the time I got in the river it was 11am.

Today was a good day for paddling, there was almost no wind and it wasn't too hot. I set my solar charger out in the sun for a long time today. Man am I glad I bought that thing. It is so nice not having to worry about how I'm going to charge my phone and camera.

I paddled 39 miles today before I found a great camp spot for tonight and decided to call it quits. The camp spot is so great that I've decided to nickname it "The Penthouse." I'll post some pictures of it soon. The Rockport MO and the 1-70 bridge are just a few miles downstream from here. 

Day 3

I had a late start today, when I woke up this morning it was still pouring rain. So I left my tent and boat and hitched a ride into town to get some hot coffee. When the rain finally stopped and I got on the river it was 11am.

As I paddled it started to get real sunny and hot. So I was staying along the edge of the bank in the shade of the overhanging trees. Then all of a sudden I heard a loud noise right above me and looked up and there was a bald eagle flying out of the tree. No way somebody could get a camera out quick enough to capture that!

I found a camp spot at mile marker 281, 43 miles from where I took off this morning. So I set my tent up on a mud bar in the middle of the river. This mud bar is called hills island chute, and it turns out I camped in this same spot on September 15th 2000. What a coincidence! Just to the backside on this mud bar is a wildlife refugee. There’s deer tracks all over here so maybe I’ll see hear animals tonight.

Back on the river again

Here we are, 10 months after my last kayak adventure (see 2018 Kayak trip tab), and I’m ready to get back on the Missouri River. One thing that has fascinated me since the first time I did a long-distance River trip, 54 years ago, has been the amazing properties and homes along the river's edge. One home at mile marker 9 on the Missouri River has always been one of my favorites. After my last trip, I decided to have my granddaughter get an address for the house off google maps so I could write the owner a letter. A few weeks after I wrote my letter, the owner of the house got ahold of me. He said he gets about 40 letters a year from people who want to tour his property, but he throws them all away. However, he enjoyed my letter and story and decided to invite me and a guest to his annual party in September. It has been on my bucket list to walk up from the river to this house and drink a cold beer, so I’ve decided to arrive at the party by water. Therefore another kayak trip is in order. I’ll be going from Atchison KS on the morning of August 28th, to the party north of St. Louis and then finishing my trip at the arch in STL. My granddaughter Trisha will be posting all my trip updates and shenanigans on this site for you to follow along.

Talk to you from the muddy mo!

-Ted

Comments

Met you at Burlington Dam. Thank you for sharing your adventure. Selena from Chanute, Ks.

My son received your letter/ I gave written to send to you in the morning !
I can’t tell you how excited and thrilled to of heard from you ! Hope we might meet again hear more stories

This is amazing. I am so glad I got to see this. Ted showed me the link and told me about this at World Cup Coffee shop today. it made my day Hearing about this and seeing how excited he was!

Thanks for stopping in to see me once again. Take care.

Ted, I enjoyed our visit at the Topeka Boat Show. Thanks for sharing this page. Greg

Ted - it was sure nice to see you again. It's hard to believe that we have been out of the Ol' rubber plant about 10 years now. Always enjoyed your stories back then.

Ted - quess I read bottom up, so did find your address and did find 2018 trip too - excellent write ups. I'd like to do BAK again but ...., if I do I'll expect to see you there. Dick

Ted - thanks for the Christmas card - and for telling me about your SimpleSite - wonderful description of a grand voyage - I'll keep checking for more adventures - send me your address.

Tom, I found your website this evening. It was a pleasure to meet you and hear your story at Weller's today. What an amazing story!

I met Ted last night Sweet man he stopped in Crystal springs Mississippi.. Tell him Lisa and Green Parrot family says Hello

Thank you for stopping to chat with our group at Bakers Dozen today and sharing your website! I have enjoyed reading about your river journeys and wish you luck and happy floating in the future!

Ted, It was so nice to meet you and hear stories of part of your today at Free State! The next time you’re in your way to Leavenworth let me know! Thanks Sabrina Boswell Darley

Thx you for postcard! We loved pictures & stories along your journey. Natural beauty is the best of life! Dick wants to go on your next adventure! Keep in touch! Your BAK Buddies.....

What a trip you have had!
We canoed for about 15 years but
never had an adventure like yours!
Way to go

Loved reading about your recent trip. How amazing ! Hope to see you in Grantville again soon.

Ted - Wow! What an amazing trip, flooding and all! I hope everything continues to go well. Hope Trisha and Thad are well, too. You are a real adventurer, Ted!!! Keep eating honey/pollen! : )

Mr. Decker, I spoke with you this morning I work at the City of Madison. After some confusion it was great to speak with you and I really hope you do this again.

Enjoy hearing how you manage to live out of a kayak and a tent. I am amazed at your adventure.

Hey Ted! Got your post card! Thank you! I am glad you made the trip safely and look forward to hearing more about it! Stop by! Kris

Ted, Glad to meet both you and Trisha at the Mesker party along the river. I'm in awe of your challenging trip.

Dang buddy, ya made it! Another great adventure. Can't help but think how much of a hoot Cecil would have hearing about this. Godspeed.

Welcome back! I want to hear some more stories. See you at Speck's for the Tuesday night meeting.

I'm so happy you had a safe and fun trip welcome home my friend.

Awesome trip.. love hearing your stories when you come in the pub!! Thanks for letting me check out your kayak!!

congratulation to the old man on the river! welcome home Ted. Bruce

Hi Ted! Tom and I enjoyed meeting you on Saturday at the Bike Stop Café in St. Charles! I hope you had a blast at your party and had a safe and uneventful trip home!

enjoy have fun

BEWARE of NAKED MANNEQUIN'S !!!

you and your Clorox water bottle!

Good Morning Ted. Was glad to see some more updates. Was getting a little worried about you. Sounds like you are having lots of fun and meeting new people. Take care.

You truly are Ted "La Mo" Decker! This is one of the greatest stories ever! I'll keep checking in on you! Safe journey my friend!

Just a comment from your day 6...please no pictures of you in a "redneck hot tub"!

A beer and a Redneck Hot tub? Does it get any better than that? 'Ol Misery got a leak? You sure you're not going to the Gulf of Mexico with the team rowing guy? Godspeed brother!

It was a pleasure meeting you! Safe travels!
Reply back if there is a place to add pictures :)

You can email pictures to trideck3@gmail.com

looks like you are having fun. Safe travels.

wheres waldo

Where are you on day 4?

Ur doing great Ted! Keep going! I check in every day to see where you are, how ur doing and what ur up too next! Stay safe!

Hi Ted...Hope you are having a great time and knowing you, we are sure you are. We are looking forward to a sunny and warm Labor Day Weekend in Perry, Kansas ! Keep doing what makes you smile!

Your well on your way Ted. Your comments makes you trip personal. Good job!

Hey Ted, sorry about my sister I needed help getting started and I could not stop her in time!!! So hey love your pics stories. Have safe trip & most important enjoy your tour. See you soon .

Hey Ted - How is it hanging ?? (This is Glenda Deb's Sister) HA HA I about got my neck broke for writing this !!!!! Wish you well and look forward to your future adventure stories !!!!

Hey ted its Rich the guy at the con store before last weekends bike race. I think its great that you are still doing these adventures. It reminds me of a 2 week bike trip I did in 1973. following

Well Ted you got rained on most of today you aught to have plenty of water. Hope to see you in Glasgow.

You keep it moving, we are following you and your adventure.

Good luck and safe paddling! Keep us posted.

Hey ted found your site. Safe travels the Johnsons
(we met at Catfish Charlie’s )

Hope all goes well on the trip and we were thankful to have met him and be in that spot at that time where he was passing by.

Chris & I were at the boat ramp right under the bridge in Leavenworth yesterday when we met Ted. We learned about his trip this year as he stopped to talk to us for a couple minutes.

I'm here Theodore, cuzn Red and Johnnie you are amazing.

im following you all the way Ted. i want to hear some good storytelling

Ted, I'm lookg forward to following ur trip down the Missouri this time. I've heard you tell your great stories about ur kayaking adventures. Wear a head mounted camera to capture and post video.

We are ready to read about the life and times of Ted Decker. Good luck on the trip!

Looking forward to reading about your latest kayak trip