Ever have one of those years where nothing goes right?

Welcome back Paddlephans!

If you follow this blog you know the MR 340 should be right around the corner. If you follow the news, you know there's no way that could happen. For those who's only source of news is this blog, I'll elaborate.

The Missouri River is a complete mess. It's flooded from the Dakotas to the Mississippi. Something about snow melt and rain and every reservoir from Nebraska to the North Pole dumping water into it. So, long story short, no 340 this year.

It would be easy to feel bad for our little race community that we don't get to be a part of this amazing event this year, and we hope everything is back to normal for next year, but that isn't what's important right now. This flooding is hurting a lot of communities, farmers and wildlife a lot more than it's hurting us. Our hearts go out to them and we are hopeful that things return to normal for them a lot sooner than next year.

So now what?

Lucky for us, the fantastic people at River Miles have very quickly organized a new race so we still have something to do on vacation. It's not like I was going to tell my boss the MR 340 got cancelled so I'm available to work next week.

The Kawnivore!

94 miles on the Kaw, from Manhattan to Lawrence KS. I know what you're thinking. "That sounds easy." It's not. The Missouri River is deep, wide and fast. You can do 3 miles an hour on it without even paddling. The Kaw is none of these things. It is shallow, braided with sandbars and so slow as to be practically stagnant. There are portages where the guys will have to get out and carry the boat across the highway. Every mile on this river must be fought for and earned.

We're still scrambling with last minute planning so I don't have a lot of detail for you right now. It looks like Patrick has misplaced his testicles and may not be paddling. I'm not sure who, if anyone, will replace him. I know it won't be me, as I too have misplaced my testicles.

The race starts next Friday, July 22nd, so keep your browser glued to this page and your eyes glued to your monitor over the next week and a half as we embark on another wacky Paddlephiles adventure!