Intrepid Tennessean Becomes Oldest Person to Paddle Mississippi River
There are some people who just can’t retire the word “adventure” from their vocabulary. For one 87-year-old man from Tennessee, that word could not be more applicable. Hailing from Bristol, Tennessee, this daring senior citizen has just made headlines for completing an 87-day paddle journey along the full length of the mighty Mississippi River.
Undeterred by the fact that he is over 80 years of age, this thrill-seeking octogenarian became the oldest person to paddle the entirety of the Mississippi River. Whether this was an attempt to break a world record, or simply because they wanted an excuse to escape to nature for an extended period of time, this determined senior citizen has stolen our hearts and kept us on the edge of our seats for nearly three months.
The 87-day voyage began all the way up north in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, and culminated in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the arduous but scenic route, this retired individual kayaked past small towns and large cities, admired stunning rock formations and cave clusters, and even chatted with a few friendly locals who were simply fascinated with his adventurous spirit. No doubt, he also braved a fair share of natural obstacles and weather hazards, all while keeping his composure and his dry wit.
Though the exact motivation behind this inspiring journey has not yet been disclosed, we can only imagine that it was a mixture of wanderlust, bucket lists, and a need to prove to the world that age is just a number. In a recent interview, the bold adventurer even quipped that he had to stop drinking beer two weeks into the exploration after realizing it was interfering with his daily paddle routine.
It’s easy to imagine how the younger generations might react to this staggering accomplishment: WHY? This man is a living legend, an emblem of resilience and determination who stands as an inspiration to us all. But for those who are seasoned with age, this man is just living life as it’s meant to be lived – in full color and full speed.
While all of us mere mortals spend our days endlessly scrolling through Netflix, or complaining about our aches and pains, this senior citizen was out there proving that age is just a number. He sailed past 10 states, explored 2,320 miles of various waterways, and probably caught a few fish along the way.
And though we may be inclined to believe that he crossed the finish line more fragile and exhausted than ever before, this man proved us wrong yet again. When he finally reached the Gulf of Mexico on October 4, 2021, he emerged from his kayak with a wide smile and a sense of pride that made us all feel small in comparison.
So, cheers to this Tennessee man, who has carved a new definition of what it truly means to live adventurously, no matter how old we get. We hope to follow in his footsteps, or paddle strokes, and feel the same sense of accomplishment that comes with pushing ourselves to the limits, all while keeping our sense of humor intact.
