The Mississippi Valley Traveler Podcast · Dean Klinkenberg

Traveling the Mississippi One Week at a Time: Anne Sherve-Ose's 13-Year Journey Down the River

·50 min·1 clip

Our canoe disappeared in a flood, so we paddled to shore balancing on a black plastic cube

Anne Sherve-Osi discusses her remarkable 13-year journey paddling the entire Mississippi River one week at a time with two core companions. Beginning in 2004 from Itasca State Park, the trio paddled gradually downstream over annual trips, accumulating knowledge about river ecosystems, wildlife, safety hazards like wing dams, and group dynamics that made their long-term success possible. The conversation covers her background in outdoor education, principles for introducing people to wilderness experiences, a harrowing lost-canoe rescue during flooding, and reflections on reaching the Gulf of Mexico. Anne emphasizes that compatibility matters more than skill, and that selling adventure requires focusing on the fun aspects while downplaying hardships.

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