Oct 21 2008
The first miles….
“If we sell you our land, you must remember and teach your children that the rivers are our brothers and yours, and you must henceforth give the rivers the kindness you would give any brother.”
Chief Seattle - 1854
Welcome to Seasick Tours
This web site tracks a canoe voyage that was undertaken during September and October, 2008. The original idea was to canoe the entire length of the Mississippi river, from lake Itasca to New Orleans in one fell swoop, and capturing it on video. The trip, however, took longer than anticipated and the decision was made to stop for the winter after 421 miles. Part one encompasses the first miles, from lake Itasca to St. Cloud, MN. We hope to have all of the footage from part one edited into videos during the first months of 2009.
The web site is laid out so that the three most recent videos will be displayed on the home page, and the rest will be archived under the page of posts marked, logically enough, “Videos”. There is another page of posts marked “River Notes” that presents an oral history of the trip. Lastly, there are two biography pages for the trip partners, Tom Malkowicz and Karl Palazzolo.
To contact us
Our email address is seasicktours@yahoo.com
Getting the rest of the videos online
Tom is moving along getting the videos produced so from here on out they should be coming on a regular basis. Stop by every week or so and see if the next one is up.
Episode Number Eight: From Grand Rapids down to Jacobson Campground.
The weather starts to cool down as the river doubles in flow thanks to the Prairie River. I buy a new tent in Grand Rapids due to water leakage issues with my last one.
Episode Number Seven: Grand Rapids
I travel from Schoolcraft state park to the city of Grand Rapids, birthplace of Judy Garland. Minnesota Power and Light provides me with a free portage, while the city treats me to some urban delights and a few days off the river.
Episode Number Six: Crossing Lake Winnebigoshish
I make the long trip around Lake Winnie while discovering that many of the state camp grounds in northern Minnesota have already closed for the season.
River Notes
If you look over on the sidebar under categories there’s a new section called “River Notes”. As I get to places with internet access I’ll try to write and let you know how the trip is going, as you eagerly await the video updates. Happy travels!
About Seasick Tours
My name is Karl Palazzolo, and I had hoped to canoe the Mississippi River during the Fall of 2008.
I had originally hoped to canoe from Lake Itasca, Minnesota down to the Gulf of Mexico by Louisiana. However, the trip had to be stopped at Saint Cloud, MN due to the advancing winter. What I hoped to do was to get an idea of what life is like along the Mississippi through the people that I meet along the way, and to let others see what the river looks like and how it changes. Although the trip wasn’t completed this fall, I hope that people enjoy seeing what the first 420 miles of the river looks like from a canoe level perspective.
Meet Thomas Malkowicz, project partner and video editor.
Tom is the awesome creative mind behind the videos that you see and my partner on the project. He’s what makes the trip look good. Tom will be doing his best to teach me how to film the adventure and then piece together the footage that I send back into the amazing videos that you’ll be watching. Check out the video section of the site to see his latest work. If you’d like to know more about either of us, feel free to check out our biographies listed on the toolbar to the left.
Piecing together life along the Mississippi
My plan is to bring a video camera and record what it’s like to travel along “the Big Muddy”. Do you wonder how the river changes? Where one camps for the night? What a river lock and dam looks like? Who lives along the river? You can experience all of this vicariously through me and more, without the mosquitoes. Visit the website weekly and download the next video and see it for yourself. Thomas will provide roughly edited video during the trip weekly and then produce beautiful, longer segments as his busy life permit. It’s guerrilla television at its best!
Hey Uncle!
This looks awesome! You’re gonna see a million cool things along the way…I’m looking forward to some updates.
xox-Lizzie
Looks like Fun! Enjoy yourself.
Hey,
I made a facebook group to publicize your trip.
This sounds really wild. I watched your You Tube bit, and was totally taken in. It was great filming, by the way–looks just like one of those travel shows on the Discovery Channel. Maybe they’ll hire you!
Anyway, good luck! Safe Travels–I’ll be watching!
-Becky
Karl,
Good luck with the trip. My wife and I paddled the river in 2005. Give me a holler if you have any questions.
-John
http://www.sourcetosea.net
Karl, We just heard about your new adventure. We promise our prayers for a safe journey. You are a wild and crazy guy. We love you just the way you are. We will follow your journey along the Mississippi. God Bless and have Loads of Fun!!!!!
Hey Karl! Word of your new adventure has spread to our side of the family! Good luck and have fun!
Karl.
You are the man! Keep livin’ the dream and happy paddling!
Man, these videos are fantastic already! And the music is perfect. I can’t wait to see more. This is gonna be big, I just know it.
Hey Karl! You mind if Ed and I live vicariously through you? We both said, almost in unison, that we’ve always wanted to do this very thing.
I’ll be sure to check this blog for updates. May the force be with you on your journey!
Hey Karl,
Good luck! It sounds like a fantastic adventure. The women at the office at the Meadows are amazed at the thought of it. Safe travels, Beth
Go get ‘em Karl - We’ll be following along from our safe, dry, and relatively bug free home. Have a great time and whenever you get discouraged remember you could be cleaning up after Jeffy!
Karl,
When I took cody out this morning I didn’t expect to see your volvo loaded down, with of all things a canoe with the words seasicktours.com on the side. It was nice seeing you this morning, even if you made me a bit jealous. I spoke to your sister Vicky this evening she asked that I pray for you, I honestly hadn’t thought about that, but I will be happy to pray for you and watch your movies, you and your friends have done an amazing job. God Bless on your journey, your neighbor Jim
KARL! You just left and I wish you happy and safe travels! And keep the camera rolling!
Your fan, JoLee
Hey Karl! When Vickie (my SEA classmate) connected us to your upcoming and ongoing journey my husband and i couldn’t stop smiling!!! What an awesome adventure!!! You will be in our prayers… and we’ll keep tabs from time to time. Make a note: save a couple of those big head carp that will be jumping in your canoe and we’ll see about cookin’ some up when you get to Memphis. Showering here is ok by us…we’ll bring a five-gallon bucket, hehe! Can’t wait to see you! God Bless, b
The water looks so clear! Good to see you got started OK. Hoping for more updates soon! Are you camping for the nights? Where? How are the temperatures, mosquitoes, fish, and river conditions? Good luck!
Hi Karl,
Glad to hear your trip is going well. We were in Bemidji Tues. and Thurs. and we both wondered where and how you were doing. Yep, it did get cold a couple of nites this past week. We had a little frost here at Camp Itasca. Business has slowed, but upcoming week to be nice. I am sure you will enjoy the warmer weather. Tree’s are turning color now and I know the scenery will be great. Take care and keep us posted. God be with you. Friends– Craig and Rosann–Camp Itasca
hey, you are almost home. Oh wait you still have a few more months.
Dave Canoy
I am the sister of Robert Youens, who met you on the big river today (Sunday Sept. 21). He enjoyed meeting you and wanted me to check in with your website. Since we are not nearly as “high-tec” as you, I have to liason for Robert. You can find us on iboattrack.com, then cruisers.
Have Fun …Judy
Karl,
I am soooo jealous! The video and journal is fantastic and it looks like you are on your way and loving it! Keep paddlin, stay dry and we will see you soon!
Andy Voss
Hi Karl, we just said goodbye a couple of hours ago - thanks for staying with us and sharing your stories - we’ll be anxious to hear from you when you land in Mpls. For those checking the website, Karl was doing quite well when he left this morning, 10/19/08 from Royalton, MN and now that his tummy and bear container are full, he’s ready to complete the next week of travel! (Good thing because it’s getting cold!)
I’m always happy to hear of others who are seeking out adventure from the seat of a canoe! This journey will be life changing and worth all the ailments you will have to endure to accomplish your goals. May God bess you in life aswell as in your travels.
Jared Jellison author of “Fighting the Current: There & Back”
Robert Youens called in today and asked me to check and see if you were still coming. He is just pulling out of Hannibal Mo. Said its going to be a great day to paddle.
Karl,
Wow, what an adventure. I just ran across your video’s on YouTube. I wish you the best. Have a safe and awesome run along the Miss. I will be eagerly waiting for the next installment.
Scott (Peoria, IL)
Hi!
We have been checking the site now for updates. Did something happen to you on this trip?
Are you going to show any more video?
We hope you are o.k.
Lilah
Hey Uncle!
What are a marvellous idea. Thanks for the inspiration!
If you decide to tackle the rivers of the NW next, give me a shout!
Jen (Cameron’s sister)
Karl,
I have just come upon your videos while searching YouTube for good canoeing stories and wow!
Having completed a similar journey myself, I was quite intrigued by what you share. I will return to this site in the following months to see how the next legs of your trip are taken.
I have one recommendation you may want to consider. When you get much further south the river is much wider and the barge traffic will be substantial. Conditions will get rougher in a flat bottom canoe such as the one you have been using and for that reason I suggest you look into a different boat.
I had very good results with my We-No-Nah Encounter.
Best wishes and be sure to keep the open side up,
John Mac
Hitting myself upside the head!!!
Karl, I just recalled- as I hit the submit button- you know exactly what the river is like. I realized that being from St Louis you have seen the barge traffic and must already be aware of the difficulties.
Please excuse my error.
None-the-less, a different craft may very well bring you much more security on big rough waters.
JM
hey, its great what you are doing. Your video makes everyone feel they are taking the trip with you. May God Bless You and have a wonderful journey.
Karl,
I am leaving to do the whole river in June. Along the way I have arranged four voulenteer opputunities in each state. Your videos are grat and give me an idea what to look foward to. Any tips you have would be great. I’m a little worried about getting lost in the head waters was this a major concern for you?
Are there any more videos to be posted?
Are you planning to go back to finish the river this year?
I am also leaving the first week in June in a Eddyline Nighthawk 16. The videos were a great help ’specially the Lake Winnebigoshish episode.
Good for you Karl and good travels and sites your way, as a avid kayaker I see your reasoning of the trips and views of the world…best travels.
Eric