Louisiana is known for its swamps, and for good reason. In spite of some of the associations with have with the word swamp, I find them beautiful, mysterious, and magnetic. In this episode, I talk with Jessica Gauley about a section of swamp along the Pearl River known as Honey Island. Jessica grew up
Population (2010) 27,891 Introduction Alton is a city with a layered history that is worth the time to explore. When you’re done, take a drive along the Mississippi River up to Grafton, which is one of the most scenic stretches of the Great River Road; it can be very
Population (2010) 673 Introduction If you look up "river town" in any dictionary, I'm pretty sure you'll see a picture of Grafton. While the emphasis has shifted from living off the river to playing on the river, Grafton retains a strong identity as a place deeply tied to its
Population (2010) 319,305 Introduction St. Louis, my hometown, is a city with a long and layered history. As residents of Flyover Country, we tend to make the national news only when something goes wrong. Sure, we have our problems, but so do plenty of other places. We are a big
Maybe you're like most people in that you enjoy paddling, but you stick to lakes and small rivers. Maybe, though, you're ready for a new experience. Maybe you're ready to join the growing number of paddlers who are discovering the pleasure of taking their canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) on the Mississippi and other
Before I step into Grasshopper, a 30-foot voyageur-style canoe, I regard the big river I am about to navigate with six other paddlers. Lyrics from a song by bluesman Big Bill Broonzy echo in my head: “Mississippi River, it’s so long, deep and wide.” I’ve canoed and camped along the Upper Mississippi many times, hiked
