Acts of Kindness

These are all real instances, committed mostly by complete strangers:

A woman called us (my number was relayed by someone we met on the river) to make sure we had supplies and good gear. She also wanted to bring us breakfast and deliver us any other supplies we might need.

3 boaters invited us over to their house, gave us a jeep for the day, gave us a camper, fed us, granted full access to a salt water pool. Simply let us right into their lives! 

Many people at the end of their docks invited us to use their yard for camp and facilities to clean up.

A news reporter made calls to his personal friends to check up on us along our route.

A kayaker and his family gave us a fishing rod, soda pops, flint, seat pads, some Indian artifacts for good blessings, and told us of some great local camp spots.

A family on the river took us into town for supplies, gave us a cabin to ourselves for the night, and took us out to eat. 

Two great guys helped us carry our canoe and 200 lbs of gear up a 2000 foot mountain and 6 miles down the road to portage a dam. Gave us a ride to town for supplies. 

All the lock masters were extremely helpful locking us through and offered us supplies.

A couple let us sleep on the aft galley of their boat.

Passing kayaker turned around to chat and show us an amazing place to camp. 

Countless offers for rides, supplies, tows, water, ice, and any possible way to help us.

Countless gifts of cash for extra food and supplies. 

A Native American family gave us Job's Tears (Indian corn blessed with prayers) to protect us on our journey. The children made us cards that said, "be safe and have fun, I hope you don't get bit." They also made sure we had food.

The marinas that gave us accommodations at the level of yacht club members.

A man who chased us down the river to give me a pair of sunglasses.

Many meals "on the house" from the managers, many meals bought by new friends.

The conservation police whom stop to make sure we are safe.

Given a ride from Chicago to North Carolina to begin our adventure. (12 hr drive)

Getting picked up in Mobile, Alabama for a ride home. (18 hr drive)

Given a beach house on Dauphin Island upon our journeys completion.

Put up in a Bed and Breakfast.

Given a house to recover in Chattanooga and a ride to a bluegrass show.

Picked up and taken to Lynchburg for rest and recovery. 

Columbus Veterinary gave Tombigbee the cat free medical care.

Set up at exclusive campsites by the USACE. 

Help around 3 closed dams on the Tombigbee waterway.

Care packages awaited us at various destinations.

People who saw us on the news and came out looking for us to lend us a helping hand in any way we needed.

Calls ahead down river to give the next town a heads up we were coming.

Woke up to coffee delivered to hammock!!!

Frozen water jugs delivered to us on the hottest of days (valuable stuff!) 

Nolan's cousin picked up the crew and took care of them in Birminghham when Pete was ill.

Locals that took us under their wing to show us the best spots in town and on the river.

Passing boaters that stopped to hear about our cause, share their appreciation, and keep us company on the rivers.

Marina owners let us store our boat free of charge.

Allowed to camp on folks private docks and land.

Friends, family, conversations, stories, laughs, tears, dreams and fears. Hugs and handshakes, good will and good faith. 

So many countless acts beyond our wildest dreams, this list can go on for days. 

All those who have stop to talk to us, encourage us, help and support us; you have warmed our hearts - This is the fuel that moved our canoe down the river.