Submitted by: ROBERT STOPPER, Lyons
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| Brad Tallent & Austin Graham visiting in Lyons |
One year ago
Brad Tallent from Dayton, Tennessee and Austin Graham from Baton Rouge, Louisiana met in Georgia on the Appalachian Trail. On Sunday evening, October 6, 2013, they
tented on the banks of the Erie Canal in Lyons, New York. Brad and Austin are
currently paddling their kayaks on the Erie Canal as part of their 5000 mile
journey from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico!
Austin and
Brad celebrated Father’s Day, 2013, by launching their kayaks in the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence. They began their long paddle at Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, on the
Cape Breton Island. They hope to arrive at their final destination, the Gulf
of Mexico, by Christmas.
One day in
an effort to capture predicted winds and hasten their journey, they mounted
huge home- made sails on their kayaks. According to Brad, “That was not a
brilliant move- when the winds suddenly caught us; we ended up over and under
our kayaks”! They also have gained a new appreciation and respect of labels-
just because the label says that the radio or camera is waterproof does not
mean that it really is…! Austin stated that he would advise future kayakers on
the Erie Canal to “go with the flow” rather than fight the current. Brad
mentioned that he was surprised how much he really, really missed his
girlfriend!
When asked
if they had any “ah-ha" moments in regard to the Erie Canal, Brad and Austin
both expressed their awe relating to the following: a 150 year old double lock, so short and so
shallow; the concept of locks opening and closing totally on water power; the
apparent work ethic and craftsmanship involved in the digging and completion of
the canal; the indescribable natural beauty along the canal banks; the awesome feeling of being a part of
history, if only for a few days, while travelling the canal itself- the
experience makes a person want to return and learn more!.
Indeed, Brad
and Austin are not travelling in a packet boat. Their trip is sponsored by Johnson Outdoors of Old Town, Maine. They are equipped with “Necky” Kayaks,
“Extra Sport” life jackets, and “Carlisle” paddles. They drink a minimum 4
liters of water a day and carry provisions for 6-10 days. They tent or sleep
“wherever”.
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| Docked overnight in Lyons, NY |
The Gulf of
Saint Lawrence, the town of Nicolette, sleeping on the banks of the Richelieu
River, hiking on the International Appalachian Trail, crossing Lake Champlain,
entering the Flight of Five at Waterford, and kayaking the Erie Canal through
the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge are all early chapters of the odyssey- yet to be
completed is the Western Erie Canal, Lake Erie, the Michigan Peninsula,
approaching Chicago, entering the Mississippi, and heading south to the Gulf of
Mexico- all before ol’ man winter begins to show his presence.
While
celebrating Brad’s birthday and waiting out a huge rain storm at McDonald’s in
Lyons, the “Gulf Odyssey Guys” were intrigued to hear about local history-
crockery in Clyde, peppermint in Lyons, roses in Newark, Erie Canal stores and
Mormon faith beginnings in Palmyra, and mills and tanneries in Macedon….
Brad and
Austin are part of a new fast growing group- state, national,
and international long distance kayakers experiencing history on the Erie
Canal. On behalf of Lyons on the Erie Canal and all of Wayne County, thanks for
visiting us- we look forward to the release of your new documentary! In the
meantime, please keep us updated on your “Gulf to Gulf Odyssey” Facebook page and your Gulf to Gulf blog.
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