80-Year Old Becomes Oldest to Paddle the Mississippi Source-to-Sea

Way back in May of this year, I wrote about Dale Sanders, an 80-year old adventurer who was planning to paddle the length of the Mississippi River from source to sea. Dale was using his epic journey as a way to raise awareness and funds to fight type 1 juvenile diabetes – something his great niece suffers from – and he was inspired by the likes of Dave Cornthwaite, who he assisted on his Mississippi paddle a few years back. On Sunday, Sanders completed his journey at long last, arriving at the Gulf of Mexico after weeks out on the water. In doing so, he became the oldest person to paddle the length of the "Mighty Mississippi" and instantly became an inspiration for the rest of us.

The self-proclaimed "Grey Beard Adventurer" set off from Lake Itasca in Minnesota back on May 15. Back then, he still had to endure late spring sleet and snow, with cold winds making his progress difficult. But as the long days of summer dragged on, the weather shifted noticeably. For six weeks he faced daily rainfalls that left his clothes and other gear constantly soaked. Later, as he moved further south, it was heat and humidity that made his Mississippi sojourn a challenging one.

By the time he reached the Gulf on Sunday, Sanders had paddled more than 2300 miles, spending just over three months out on the river. Along the way he met hundreds of people that lent him a hand or joined him for a stretch of the expedition. Judging from his last dispatch, it seems clear that he was overwhelmed by the support he received along the way, particularly as he neared the end of the paddle where he received a hero's welcome from friends and family.

I want to congratulate Sanders on completing his journey. As I mentioned, he is an inspiration to all of us. Hopefully when I'm 80 I'll still be able to go on these types of adventures. Dale is living proof that age is not a barrier to achieving your goals.

Video: Get a Full-Strength Dose of Nature Today!

Here's a humorous video that will likely induce more than a few chuckles. It is a parody clip of a prescription medicine commercial, but rather than trying to sell you a pill that will cure all of your ills, it prescribes getting outside in nature instead. Some of the purported side-effects of this "drug" will certainly ring true to more than a few of us I'm sure.

Enjoy the clip, than drop by Nature-RX.org to find out more about the video.

Video: Whitewater Stand-Up Paddleboarding

I hate to admit it, but I have yet to try stand-up paddleboarding. I know that it is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports around, and it looks like a lot of fun, but I simply haven't had the opportunity to give it a go yet. I hope to change that very soon. In the meantime, I have gained a new respect for some of the folks who do SUP, thanks to videos like this one. It shows pro paddleboarder Paul Clark as he makes a short whitewater run on a SUP board. While this isn't Class V rapids by any means, it still requires some great strength and agility to complete the descent over some tricky rapids while surrounded by rocks. I don't think I'l be doing this my first time out, but it is impressive none the less.

Gear Closet: Chaco Outcross Evo 2 Shoes

As mentioned last week when I reviewed the excellent Yura hiking shoes from ECCO, Alaska was a great place to test new gear. The varied terrain, weather, and activities that I experienced there gave me an opportunity to truly put some new items through their paces. Amongst the gear that I tested while there were the Outcross Evo 2 shoes from Chaco, which proved to be incredibly comfortable and versatile. In fact, they just might be my favorite pair of shoes that I own at the moment, as it has taken them no time at all to become my go-to footwear for just about any kind of outdoor activity, as well as just normal daily life.

Lightweight and good looking, these shoes score well in just about every category you could ask for. They offer excellent grip on a variety of surfaces – including we ones – and protect the feet from the challenges of the trail quite nicely.

As mentioned, the Outcross Evo 2 are also very comfortable, while requiring zero break-in time. In fact, the moment I put them on my feet I was immediately amazed at how they felt. This is a shoe that feels a bit like a minimalist trail runner, although the Evo's outsole provides far more protection than that description would lead you to believe.


Meant to be used as a light hiking shoe, that can also pull double duty as a water shoe as well, the Outcross Evo 2 excels in both categories, and more. I've worn these shoes while not only hiking and rafting, but also mountain biking and road cycling too, and they have proven to be equally adept at each of those disciplines. And because these shoes are so versatile, they make a great travel shoe too, possibly eliminating the need to carry an extra pair of shoes or two with me when I take off on a new adventure. As someone who is always looking for ways to cut weight from my bags, this is an added bonus.

When designing the Evo 2, Chaco integrated a soft, comfortable inner liner that actually eliminates the need to wear a sock with these shoes. This helps to keep the foot well protected while pursuing multiple outdoor activities in a single go, allowing the wearer to seamlessly transition from walking or hiking, to water sports, and back again without fear of developing blisters, hot spots, or abrasions. I have experienced none of those calamities while wearing these shoes over extended periods of time.

As you can probably tell, I am completely impressed with the Outcross Evo 2. But, if I had one hesitation about these shoes, it would be long-term durability. So far, I have seen no indication that they won't wear well for a long time to come, but because they are made of such lightweight materials, I can't help but wonder who they'll fare in the long haul. At the moment, they are performing marvelously in this area, and hopefully that will continue to be the case.

If you're looking for a comfortable, versatile, and affordable shoe that can see you through a wide variety of outdoor adventures, it is tough to beat the Outcross Evo 2. Chaco really does have a hit on their hands with this product, which I predict will make believers out of anyone who tries them on. This is one of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, and I think that many readers will find that to be the case for them too.

Priced at $110, I feel that the Evo 2 is quite a bargain when you consider everything they bring to the table. Perfect for light hiking, water sports, mountain biking, and travel, you'll be amazed at how many ways you'll find to use these shoes. That is a testament to just how great they really are, as you'll be looking for excuses to put them on. I can't think of a better endorsement for any shoe than that.

Video: In Current - Rowing the Grand Canyon

This video isn't just about rowing a boat down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. It is also about pursuing a dream. In order to earn a spot on the crew of a dory boat in the Canyon one must first pay their dues. That can take years to accomplish, and requires a great deal of experience. For Amber Shannon, the subject of this short film, it has been a nine year struggle toward achieving her goal of joining the team on the dory. This documentary shares that experience, along with what it is like to explore the Grand Canyon in a small wooden boat. Amazing stuff.

In Current from YETI Coolers on Vimeo.

Video: Dropping Epic Waterfalls with Dane Jackson

To shoot this video, pro kayaker Dane Jackson traveled to Veracruz, Mexico where he discovered amazing rivers to paddle, and some of the most epic waterfalls on the planet. As you'll see in the clip, he goes to great lengths just for the opportunity to kayak through this amazing setting. How far exactly? At one point he even leaps off a very tall cliff just to get into the water. This is two and a half minutes of pure adrenaline, and a good jolt to start the week.