Mississippi Howl

Front Cover
AuthorHouse, Dec 13, 2005 - Biography & Autobiography - 316 pages

This book is derived from journals kept by Allan and Dianne Roden as they paddled down the entire Mississippi River in their home-made cedar-strip canoe.  Accompanied by their Australian Cattle Dog, Annie, they started at the source of the Mississippi at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota where the river is a small stream. Most of the way they camped in a tent on the banks of the river, as they followed it 2,500 miles all  the way to New Orleans.  They experienced many adventures, like getting lost in a large swamp, battling 4-foot waves on a huge lake, getting stuck on wing dams, and dodging barges.  They also saw an abundance of wildlife and met many interesting people that represented a cross-section of the United States.  It was an opportunity to reconnect with each other and rediscover their inner selves. 

 

 

 

 

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About the author (2005)

Allan and Dianne Roden have been married for twenty-seven years and have two adult children.  They have always enjoyed camping and outdoor activities.  Allan’s fight with cancer interrupted his career as a chemical engineer.  Dianne applied for a sabbatical from Indiana University to spend time with Allan during his last months. As a last resort, Allan signed up for a clinical trial testing a new immune therapy at the National Cancer Institute.  His recovery, which was nothing short of miraculous, provided them with the opportunity to pursue a life-long dream of paddling the entire Mississippi River.  It was a chance to reconnect with each other as they enjoyed each new day on the river as a special gift.

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