Statue of Liberty-runyak-Gateway Arch

DAY 74 FLINT TO ST. LOUIS

DAY 1 CHICAGO TO ST LOUIS

September 17, 2022

Well, my runyaking adventures have continued. All along I figured I would not stop runyaking once arriving in Chicago. I just didn’t want to state it outwardly. I don’t like biting off more than I might be able to chew, but if I made it to Chicago, and was still healthy, I would continue. This old body of mine is beginning to creak, but there still are some miles left. My goal now is to try runyaking to St Louis. I then can say I’ve connected Statue of Liberty and the Gateway Arch by runyaking.

I’ll call this Phase IV of my runyaking adventures. Phase I was 57 days over four years: from Flint River to Niagara Falls, Phase II was five years, 59 days: Niagara to Statue of Statue of Liberty, Phase III: 73 days over five years: Flint to Chicago. The total at the bon voyage of Phase IV is 189 days, 3,810 runyak miles.

Back in 2012 I stopped sharing my stories, via emails, to nearly 150 recipients. I had fun with the write-ups but thought blogging was the way to go forward. Well, the blogging has been going on for ten years but currently has zero followers That did not bother me, I was basically writing to myself. I looked at it as a captain’s log, and was only doing it for documentation purposes. I’d like to try to return to my writer’s mode. I hope you enjoy the blog enough to send me an email and SUBSCRIBE as I runyak my way to St. Louis. I will likely go back to a captain's log I can’t get the number of readers I had years ago.

In preparing for the four day runyak out of Chicago I’d made a contact, her name was Melissa, and she works at Urban Kayak of Chicago. She provided me with directions to their kayak drop off. I would certainly need them for on the last trip, Kate my BPP (Best Paddle Partner) and I, spent much time trying to find the drop-off location in Chicago's underground maze”. Trying to use Google Maps lead to a total fiasco. Melissa provided me with a map she made that worked very well.

On the first two days of the four-day runyak, joining me on the paddle throughout Chicago was Dan Rice. 

Photo of  Dan Rice and I from 10 years ago

I’ve known Dan since a teenager but today he is 52 years old. (Dang, I must be getting old too.) Dan has paddled with me before on my runyaking adventure on DAY 4, DAY 5, and DAY 7, during the first year of Flint to  Chicago runyak back in 2017. The major reason Dan wants to reunite with me through Chicago, is its association as the eastern terminus of the Mother Road, Route 66. Dan began a Route 66 souvenir business in 2008 at the western terminus, the Santa Monica Pier, named 66 to Cali. My runyak route to St Louis parallels the old Route 66, In fact, during the run segments of the runyaking I will be hoofing it on Old 66.

With me on my trip, but not paddling, is my wife Hope, her basic job is to try and keep me safe. I’m 71 years old and she feels I need as much assistance as possible.

                                                          Hope paddling Chicago 2009

I do enjoy her being with me when traveling far from home and want her to be near me all the days ahead. Although, this time, it was mostly time spent in hotels. We’ll see if she will get back in the kayak. She has been a paddler with me on DAY 2: Flint  River, DAYs 37 & 43: Manistee River and DAY 59: Lake Michigan near Holland MI.

Aside from the hours of runyak prepping, the run segment of Day 74, began at Mayor Daley Park Boat Launch. With Dan biking beside me, I ran 6.5 miles through city streets to Urban Kayak near the mouth of the Chicago River. The big topic of talk between Dan and I while biking and riding was about our childhood connection to Chicago. As kids we both spent summers in Chicago. Although, they were quite different experiences. He stayed with his grandparents in an apartment in the 100 story John Hancock Center on Michigan Ave. I stayed with my cousins in Bucktown, which at the time was a Hispanic barrio.

  On our arriving at Urban Kayak on Chicago's beautiful Riverwalk, we found Melissa and she facilitated us in our launch. 

Melissa

I’ve had great experiences with Urban Kayak not just landing the last time, or launching today, but also online communication. So, I wanted a souvenir to remember Urban Kayak by. I bought a hat and  Melissa even gave me her employee discount. What a great business. I’ve kayaked through downtown Chicago three times now and I can’t express the experience in writing. It is a must for all kayakers. When, and if, you do, contact my friends at Urban Kayak and tell them the Runyaker sent you.

Dan was quite mesmerized (and me too although my third time)by the Chicago River kayaking experience, quite different then the boat tour he taken before with his two boys. 

The confluence of the North and South Branches of the Chicago River, although only a mile from Urban Kayak, and what might have taken no more than twenty minutes, ended up taking an hour. It was slowed by capturing it all on cell phones, whether by photos or videos. Even after that, the remaining five miles was slow because of choppy water and wind in our faces. We landed at Mayor Daley Park boat launch the actual runyaking of Day 74 was complete, although there was much more to do. We’d missed lunch, it never crossed our minds, we were so engrossed in our paddle surroundings. By the time I went back downtown to get Hope, it was getting late and we hadn’t checked into our hotel yet, Doubletree Suites in Downers Grove IL. Dan was staying at the Palmer House in downtown. Hope and I had planned of meet Dan for dinner later, but timewise it was not possible. Knowing that, I asked Dan to recommend an eatery on Old Rte 66, and he told us to go to Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, which we did.  

After a chicken basket dinner, I ended my Day 74 by making it to a brewery, Miskatonic in Darien IL. My 968^th lifetime brewery. What a long day overall, 6.5 miles running and 6.4 miles paddling. Not to mention I started the day by getting up at my home at 3:00 am. Yes, I was more tired than an 18-wheeler.

What you reading is Phase IV of The Runyaker's expeditions, Chicago to St Louis. If truly interested, the 190 previous days of the journey have been journaled. They can be can be accessed at TenaCity to WindyCity (Phase III, DAYs 190 >117),  Runyak for Liberty (Phase II, DAYs 58>116). Phase I, DAYs 57>1, Flint to Niagara is in a book, The Runyaker's Journey ($3.99 e-book at Amazon)

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