From Strokes of Kindness ... The strength of the water was no match, as items that were loose in the cockpit began to emerge. I hadn’t capsized but I was getting close. With my right hand, I gripped the paddle using it as leverage to right my ship. I could feel the power of the river rushing underneath me. How could this be? How could the infancy of this little river get so mad, so quickly? Shouldn’t the mighty Mississippi begin to flex its muscle in towns such as, St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans? That’s where the river gets wide and there are barges and container ships. Not here. These are the beginning miles, where in most years paddlers must pull their canoes and kayaks down the shallow waters of this river. I know. I’ve seen videos and read accounts of a river that meanders peacefully through the forest of northern Minnesota. If I could only get that paddle to lean me to the left. Believe me, I tried. It wasn’t happening. The river wouldn’t let me. Within seconds I lost my grip and watched my paddle float away. I immediately gave in to the river and did what it wanted to do to me. I capsized to get to my paddle. The kayak joined me. In five feet of rushing water, I hung onto my boat as if I were in a sidecar on a motorcycle, while frantically blurting out, “My paddle! My paddle!” I was in trouble. I was overmatched. I was alone. ------------------------ On Day 2 he capsized. On Day 4 he capsized. On Day 120 Paul Mellor paddled his kayak into the Gulf of Mexico completing his 2300-mile journey down the Mississippi River. During his months of travel he encountered many obstacles, including beaver dams and log jams, floating debris and flying fish, as well as freighters and gators. What Paul Mellor also encountered was kindness from people all throughout his journey. Beautifully written, Mellor recounts the goodness from scores of people, young and old, offering a helping hand by showing what’s in their hearts. A plate of food, a place to stay, fixing a broken cart, mending an infected foot, America’s most iconic river reveals the humanity of its people. A must-read for any adventurer, or for anyone wanting to witness the purity of a person when a paddler comes passing by.