Paddling the Mississippi River
Chicago Tribune
Paul Meincke and friends set off for a 70-day adventure canoeing the Mighty Mississippi.
One of many spectacular sunsets — this one in Buffalo City, Wis. — witnessed on a canoe trip along the Mississippi River.
(Paul Meincke / Chicago Tribune)On the final day of a 70-day canoe trip, Tim Clark jumps into Louisiana’s Atchafalaya River at mile marker zero where the distributary of the Mississippi joins the Gulf of Mexico, while Tom Lobacz continues to paddle.
(Paul Meincke/Chicago Tribune )The writer, Paul Meincke, takes a self-portrait with a GoPro while paddling along the Mississippi River.
(Paul Meincke / Chicago Tribune)Bill Baar, left, of Highland Park, and Tim Clark, of Des Plaines, wait in a Missouri lock during their canoe trip on the Mississippi River.
(Paul Meincke / Chicago Tribune)Vietnam veteran Dan White holds a star given to him by fellow vet Tom Lobacz, of Galena. Lobacz was Meincke’s canoe mate on their epic journey down the river.
(Paul Meincke/Chicago Tribune )From left: Paul Meincke, of Des Plaines, takes a selfie along the river with canoe buddies Tim Clark of Des Plaines, Bill Baar, of Highland Park, and Tom Lobacz, of Galena.
(Paul Meincke/Chicago Tribune )The quartet of canoeists take a break outside a store: Tim Clark, from left, Paul Meincke, Bill Baar and Tom Lobacz.
(Paul Meincke/Chicago Tribune )On the banks of the Mississippi: Paul Meincke, from left, Tom Lobacz, Tim Clark and Bill Baar.
(Paul Meincke/Chicago Tribune )