Paddling Through Fort Madison:
A River Adventure with Tim & Becky
Every summer, the Mississippi River plays host to a special kind of traveler—paddlers chasing a dream that stretches 2,300 miles from the headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. On July 7, Fort Madison had the pleasure of welcoming two such adventurers: Tim from Texas and Becky from North Carolina.
The pair first met on a backpacking trail in Florida and stayed in touch over the years. When Tim began planning his bucket-list Mississippi River paddle five years ago, it wasn’t long before Becky jumped in to join the journey. Together, they launched their kayaks from the headwaters on May 22 with hopes of reaching New Orleans by mid-August.
PREPARATION TO LAUNCH
Becky was finishing up a postcard that I gave her that I could mail out from Fort Madison while Tim finished loading his things.
Tim, a lover of history, makes a point to visit historic sites along the way. When he stopped by the Fort Madison Tourism Office, I had the chance to welcome him personally and let him know I was part of the Mississippi River Angels—volunteers who offer support to paddlers during their trip. Becky, meanwhile, kept watch on the weather from the marina, determined to avoid an incoming overnight storm.
Later that evening, they reached out for help—and I was happy to lend a hand. We secured their boats in the Santa Fe Depot Baggage Room and got them checked in for a comfortable night at Cobblestone Inn & Suites where they could grab some food nearby and Becky could finally find a “cold pop”! After a night of dry clothes, hot showers, and a well-earned rest, they were ready to get back on the water. I met them again at the Fort Madison Marina this morning, where they launched southbound at 8:30 AM—recharged and full of gratitude.
If you’re reading this in real time, you can even catch them locking through on the Keokuk Lock & Dam Cam on YouTube around 11 AM today!
Tim and Becky are part of a larger community of paddlers who make this incredible journey each summer, including solo travelers, friends, and organized groups like the Warrior Paddle—a program that provides long-distance paddling experiences for U.S. veterans as a form of outdoor therapy.
But no one paddles alone on the Mississippi. With help from online communities like Mississippi River Paddlers and Mississippi River Angels, help is never far away.
We wish Tim and Becky safe travels and smooth waters as they continue their epic journey southward. We’ll be cheering you on from the riverbanks of Fort Madison!
SAFE TRAVELS!
Becky & Tim taking off from Fort Madison, Iowa.
July 8, 2025
