ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to extend my thanks and express my utmost gratitude to the following Sponsors, Donors, Consultants  and participants, volunteers and coordinators for their unselfish and tireless efforts and without whose work, dedication and unswerving support this project would have no chance of success

Sharon R. Shepherd of Westcliffe, Colorado for your payments and unwavering support.  A resounding Thank You to Brian and Staci Shea of Fort Smith, Arkansas for your support, encouragement, tireless promotion of the project, financial and advisory support and your love and prayers.  A very special word of thanks to young Ember for her generous donations and thoughtful additions to the box of Goodies.  A word of appreciation also goes out to young Seth for the stickers and especially the memory-foam cushion.  Thank you young man.  Carol Steward of "Cold Case Revivers", thank you for being there with the right stuff at the right time, yum, thank you.  To my sister Dana; thank you Sis for your concern, love, donations, prayers & support.Thank you also goes to my brother, Mr. Elwood Johnson of Fort Smith, Arkansas for your love, support and especially "Thank you Bro" for those cool folding glasses!   I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to my cousin, Mr. Ricky Spillers for his generous donations and confidence in the successful completion of the project.  Miss Rainey of the hardware store in Manzanola, Colorado, thank you so much for the advice, breakfast burritos and ride back to camp.  A word of thanks to the staff at O'Reilly Auto Parts of La Junta, Colorado.  The kind gentleman of "the Market on Sixth" in Las Animas, Colorado for the generous donation of surplus military gear.  the assistance of the folks at Ark Valley Sales in Las Animas, Colorado for your assistance in securing the correct digital hardware.  The staff at Healthmart Pharmacy in Las Animas, Colorado, Kevin Mahan of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, You sir are a credit to your uniform, thank you.  I would like to extend my thanks to the young man named Scott who I met on the bridge 7 miles west of Lamar, Colorado for the river & head-gate information, Also to extend my condolences to you for your father. Robert Townsend and Ethan of Cherry Creek Media of KLMR AM920/FM93.5 of Lamar, Colorado.  Russ Baldwin of The Prowers Journal in Lamar, Colorado. A special thanks to the great, friendly and helpful folks at Prowers Area Transit, Lamar, Colorado,..Rick McCorkle & Herb Hopkins, thanks guys.  A very special word of thanks to Elaine Anderson of the Holly Library, Holly, Colorado for your assistance, tolerance and generous donation.  Thank you to Miss Patsy Campbell of the Holly public Library, a word of gratitude to Miss Karen of the shop across the street from Reyman's in Holly, Colorado for your donation.  A very special word of gratitude to Mr. Kurtis  Klinghammer of the First Christian Church in Holly for opening the Food Bank on an odd day.  Thank you to Mr. John Golden of the Holly Shopper, Holly, Colorado.  The wonderful staff of Reyman's of Holly, Colorado, thank you for your patience and your generous donation. A word of thanks to the nice young folks I met under the bridge outside Lakin, Ks. for your downstream river news and your local info.  A resounding "Thank you" and my utmost and sincere gratitude to the wonderful folks of the Deerfield, Kansas United Methodist Church for their warm welcome, hospitality and your generous donation to the project. Oh, the pie was delicious!  You folks have a beautiful little town, may it ever be so.  A special thanks goes to Pastor Doug Olson & Mr. Mark, thanks for spending the afternoon with me & helping me past the "dry patch".  Thank you to the fisherman Travis for the 411 on downstream river obstacles, your info was spot-on.  A word of thanks to Tim, Addy & Jake of Hutchinson, Ks. who gave me some accurate local info and were enthusiastic about the project. Thank you Mr. Terry at the city building in Mount Hope, Ks. for your warm welcome.  A special word of thanks to Mrs. Leslie at the city building in Mount Hope, Ks. for your concern and asking me the right questions, without which I would not have thought to check ahead.   Thank you so much to Mr. Vance Summers of LMNO PIZZA in Mount Hope, Ks. for the supplies and a terrific lunch.  Young Mr. Charlie Beetch of Mount Hope, Ks. a resounding "thank you" for all your help and info as well as your generous donation of airtime and supplies.  To Mr. Brian Douglas, wife Brandy Douglas, Shyley, Taylor Douglas & Joaquin Rios of the Mulvane, Kansas area, I extend a grateful Thank You.  A group of sweet, interesting, fun, enthusiastic people who live life to the hilt; a philosophy i endorse & promote. Thank you all for a great 4th of July evening.  I appreciate the local info provided by young Dakota Hicks, Dalton Beard, Tamara Beard & Courtney Ingle of Kaw City, Oklahoma.  True Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful Camp Host Mr. Chester (Chet) Hall Jr of the Sandy Beach swimming area at Kaw Lake, Oklahoma for your generous donation, assistance in obtaining safe portage & access to the Ponca City Library facilities.  Thanks are extended to young Mr. Chad Holloway of the Holloway Ranch, Big Bend area, Oklahoma for your donation of water & medical supplies.  A word of thanks & appreciation to the nice folks at the Cafe on Main street in Ralston, Oklahoma for water, coffee & information on a hot day.  To fellow Kayaking enthusiast Janea McCullough, a resounding "thank you" for cold drinks on a hot day. Keep on 'Yaking!  Love, appreciation & thanks to my younger son Casey, daughter in law Ambrozia and grandsons for a great visit, restocking supplies & re-outfitting for missing or damaged equipment.  The new tent is greatly appreciated.  Credit Mr. Robert Chambers of Round Mountain, Sand Springs, Oklahoma for portage transport around Keystone Dam.  His help saved me from possible heat-stroke, thank you sir.  A lasting & heartfelt thanks to Luke Payton & Brandon Cole of "Haskell Gun & Pawn" for allowing me access to materials, computer & equipment to speed me on my way.  A further resounding thanks to Mr. Payton for his generous private donation of materials, supplies & kayaking-gear; the water filtration system is second to none.  You have made a lasting friend.  I would like to extend a warm word of thanks to Melissa Barrett for her generous donation to the project and her sweet words of encouragement and support. A grateful word of thanks to the kind operator of the Lock at Webbers Falls, Oklahoma for his welcome assistance and advice.  His polite and selfless help and consultancy have proven valuable repeatedly throughout my use of the lock-system.  Thank You Sir.  I would like to express thanks to Mr. Tim Knight of "Nautical Adventures Scuba" for your donation of the h2zero drybag.  Thanks & warmest regards to my old & dear friend Mr. Jamie Henry of Sallisaw, Oklahoma for your loyal, true & lasting friendship over the years, use of your jeep and your more than generous donation to this project as well as the encouragement and your technical advice. Thank you Jamie. A special word of thanks and appreciation to the operator Mr. Wade Williams of the Ozark Jeta-Taylor Lock and Dam at Ozark, Arkansas on the day of the solar eclipse.  To "Cap'n" Jimmy Lee Harcourt of the Theriot Marina at Dardanelle, Arkansas, thank you so much brother.  I am very grateful for your help and all your advice and assistance on this project. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to create and install a solar solution to your lighting problem.  I would also like to extend a grateful word of thanks to the quiet, courteous former owner of the Dardanelle Marina, Mr. Doug Ecret, thank you sir for the invaluable advice and guidance about local lake and river conditions and trends.  Also met and of invaluable and ongoing useful information as well as your unconditional acceptance and friendship I would like to say thank you to Mr. Blaine Selby, owner of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol boat and the beautiful little sailboat "critical mass"; a nice personable gentleman who provided me freely with information on local and distant river conditions and hazards.  Mr & Mrs Brian Harcourt, thank you both so much.   To Mrs. Harcourt, thank you for your generous donation to the project and for watching so closely after "Cap'n" Jimmy.  A special word of thanks with a secret smile to the quiet, kind Mr. Doug Ecret for unlocking the shop at an early hour under most distressing circumstances.  That hot coffee was far more welcome that morning than you'll ever know.  I can't possibly thank "Cap'n" Jimmy enough for his generosity, warmth, sincerity and kindness to a traveler.  You have made a lasting friend.  A heartfelt word of thanks to Mr. Robert Pepper for his advice on downstream & big river conditions.  I'd like to say a word of thanks to the sweet couple Josh & Tonya Brink who I met at the Dardanelle State Park for a Hot breakfast and conversation.  A word of grateful thanks is due the kind Mr. Dale Meyers who i also met at the same park for his generous donation to the project; Thank You Sir.  A warm and sincere word of thanks to my cousin Linda Davis for her continued encouragement, generous donation to the project and ongoing advice.  A heartfelt "thank you" going out to the wonderful folks at "Big Cuppa" coffee shop in downtown Morrilton, Ark. for teriffic hot & cold specialty drinks (the "Cortada" was excellent) as well as a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere to get in some much-needed computer-time on the house wi-fi.  Thanks guys!  A short word of appreciation to the young Mr. Brent Ellis of Morrilton, Ark. for sharing his camp & conversation with a stranger while fishing.  A nice young man with a great outlook and a passion for fishing.  Sending a seriously grateful "thank you & job well-done" to Mr. Mike Duensing of "Priced Right Taxi"in Morrilton.  Those rides were a lifesaver for tired legs!  To the two officers Clayton & Eric who came to my camp morning of Friday, September 15, Thank you Gentlemen for your advice, experience and display of courtesy & professionalism, you men do credit to the uniform.  My Heartfelt and earnest thanks extended to Mr. Trey Reid and Scott for coming out to my camp on a hot day to conduct a video interview.  Thank you both, I am truly grateful.  My sincere gratitude is extended to Chris Elder and Jason Bunch for your gracious and generous donations to the expedition.  A special thanks is deserved to Mr. Bo Harrison for his generous donations to the project in the form of cash, supplies and a new tent. Thank you sir.  To Mr. David Bridges & wife Connie Bridges thank you so much for not only hosting me at your camp but also allowing me to meet your son Jared and introducing me to the fantastic COA (Challenged Outdoorsmen of America) group.  This group is putting into actual practice one aspect of what TLA is all about.  A moment to say thank you to young Mr. Seth Martin USACE Geologist of Little Rock, Ark. for providing safe portage around the Dardanelle Lock and Dam with his personal truck while the lock was undergoing maintenance.  A resounding thank you going out to Mr. Chuck Griffeth, General Dynamics retiree, Sherry Robertson, Lockheed retiree, BJ, Dr. of Pharmacy and Gail Stewart, Armtec retiree for a wonderful lunch, good company and conversation and the chance to pick a few bars in the shade on a hot summer day.  To the wonderful Miss Sherry Robertson I am especially grateful and forever indebted to you for your sweet words of encouragement, your belief in the project and your generous support to the expedition. Thank you so much.  A word of thanks to Mr. Harvey Hibner and Mr. Aaron Atkins of Pine Bluff, Ark. for the sandwiches and the offer of transport around the area.  Thank you Gentlemen.   A genuine word of gratitude to "Cap'n Black-Jack" Murphy and wonderful wife Mrs. Linda Murphy for accommodations at and use of equipment and resources at the MURPHYS' MARINA, Whitehall, Ark.  It is a rare thing indeed to have so many resources available to hand in one place.  You both have my deepest heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your kindness and generosity. The dinner was first class Mrs. Murphy!   A word of thanks to my little Sister Sonja and to Husband Steve for promoting the project, your encouragement, prayers and donations of cash, time and equipment.  I also want to say thank you to my Mother, Phyllis Carol Johnson.  Thank you Mom, for your love, confidence, moral support, advice, prayers and support of the tribute and belief in me as well as your personal donation to the project.   A word of thanks to Mr. C.O. Bunch and Mr. Danny Davis of Pine Bluff, Ark. for the fun, wry conversation and thanks for the ball-cap!  I sincerely hope we get the chance to become better acquainted.   Cheers gentlemen!  To Mrs Betty Wilkins Gray and Mrs Leydel Willis of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, good luck on your next fishing-trip!  To Stevie and Jessica Heflin of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, thanks for the photo opportunity!  A word of thanks to former veteran, Victor who was fishing at Trulock park and shared an hour or so of pleasant conversation and a bottle of ice water to a traveler, thank you sir.  My gratitude to the two gentlemen; Mr. Glenn Eastwood of Whitehall, Arkansas and Mr. Tommy Hibdon of North Little Rock, Ark for your notice and knowledge of the river expedition project and your generous donation to the project.  A truly heartfelt and sincere thank you and my utmost gratitude to Mr. Bob Paxton of Dewitt, Arkansas, police chief, retired for your assistance in obtaining a safe camp-location and transportation to resupply. Thank you sir for generosity and kindness to a stranger met on the river.  to the sweet family of Mr. Staci, wife Shana and son Seth for the hot meal and conversation at the Pendleton Bend campground.  Also a word of thanks to Mr. Herman and wife Sarah Norris for the conversation and astute observations.  A word of thanks to the two gentlemen and the young lady who came to my camp morning of Saturday, October 14 for their understanding and for passing conversation with a wounded traveler.  A sincere word of gratitude to Mr. Jerry Vaccoy of Hot Springs, Arkansas for transportation from your deer-camp to McGehee, Arkansas to resupply after an exhausting evening of busting-brush!  I also wish to express my gratitude to Mr. Vaccoy and his friends Mr. James Nealy of Lake Village, Arkansas and Mr. Shannon D. Allred of Pioneer, Louisiana for not only sharing your deer-camp with a traveler but your thoughts, words of sincere encouragement and your generous donation of materials, supplies and equipment to the project.  Thank you gentlemen!  A true and heartfelt word of gratitude to Mr. Ned Skoog for your more than generous donation to the project and your belief in the value of the mission. Thank you sir!  A word of thanks for joining me as neighbors at my camp on the Mississippi River goes to young Mr Ricky, Cassidy and Noah.  These three young men were canoeing the Mississippi River down from the Headwaters and at that time had been on the river about 100 days.  I would like to thank Brian and Allison who i met a few days later also canoeing the Mississippi River who passed pleasant conversation with me on the water as well as donating to the project.  I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful Mrs. Zelma Murray of the Visitors' Center in Vidalia, Louisiana for her unselfish help and extensive local knowledge in order to help sort me out in an incredibly efficient manner! You are a Gem dear!  Thank you, so much.  A warm and heartfelt thanks going out to Mr. Steven Budny for your incredible wealth of outdoor knowledge you shared with me so generously.  to the wonderful couple Mr. Jim Pennel and Miss Rachel McSwain of Lawrence, Kansas for the hot coffee, adult beverages and great conversation and companionship. Thank you both so much, God Bless and many safe Journeys!  A resounding thank you to Mr. Holland Heath, Manager of the Applebees in Natchez, Mississippi for the fantastic steak dinner!  Thank you sir, the atmosphere was casual and relaxed and the food was absolutely delicious!  Awesome thanks going to Mr. Cappy Stahlman, owner and operator of the Riverview RV Park and Resort at Vidalia, Louisiana for a lovely campsite and beautiful, sedate atmosphere.  A truly welcome and refreshing respite from the rigors and trials of the river.  Thank you Sir!  a word also to the entire staff of the park; Dinah, Jimmy Robertson, Lynn and Charlie, just a wonderful group of folks who will make you feel right at home, Thank you all so much!  To the fantastic Miss Pat McCracken, I owe you a debt of friendship and thanks i can never repay for you having made it your mission to inform, assist and entertain me during my stay in the beautiful town of Vidalia, Louisiana.  Thank you, so much. God Bless you dear.  I am truly and forever grateful.  The renaissance festival was a hoot!  I had a really good time.  A quick Thank you to the sweet lady behind me in line at the Dollar General in Vidalia for making up the difference in my shopping-list when i didnt do my math properly!  I'm sorry about that, I'm why calculators were invented!  But, Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity!  Also a word of thanks to the lovely couple who were my neighbors at the campground for their appreciation of the outrigger project, words of encouragement and the hot bowl of stew.  It was delicious! A word of true thanks is due to the kind Mr. Tommy Michelli of St. Joseph, Louisiana for his assistance in obtaining fresh supplies, advice on the campsite and generous donation to the expedition.  A heartfelt "thank you" to John Allement and Jacqueline Klein, two very nice people who stopped by my sandbar beach camp on 11/25 to give me downriver info, marina whereabouts, a good resupply point, weather news and donated some on-hand supplies.  A smiling word of thanks I'd like to extend to both Mr. Howard of Baton Rouge and young Mr. Derrick who I met fishing under the "old" bridge at Baton Rouge for sharing their fishing-spot with a none-to-quiet traveler simply happy for company!  I appreciate your patience and forebearance.  To Preston, Belinda and Trent at the Ace Hardware in Plaquemine, Louisiana; "You folks are the best, and when your the best, you don't have to beat anybody!  A special word of thanks to Mr. Preston Verret of Ace Hardware for your special contribution to the outrigger project, Thank you sir!  A special thanks going to brothers Al Dawson and Ray Donald, Mr Dawson, your local info was invaluable during my stay at Plaquemine, and Ray, those catfish were tasty! thank you both gentlemen!   My gratitude and thanks are extended to Mr. Billy Smalley of Stockton, Mo. for your generous donation to the expedition.  To Mr. Jeramey Jordan your donation of funds and gear were and continue to be especially helpful! Thank you sir!  A word of thanks going out to the sweet young lady for your help in a fruitless search for a flag and lively conversation at the Health Mart in Plaquemine, La.  A word of thanks to the folks at the Plaquemine, La. Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Hank Grace, Executive Director and Miss Jennifer S. Landry, Administrative assistant, for the local information and assistance in locating necessary materials and charts.  A special "Thank You" goes to Mr. Tommy Comeaux, Editor of the Post South newspaper in Plaquemine for coming out to the camp to conduct an interview for the article "Modern Day Huck Finn".   My deep and lasting gratitude goes to the dedicated curator of the Plaquemine Old Lock State Historical Site for the beautiful, accurate, full-color COE river-charts, they have been a lasting source of information and have allowed me to correctly make any number of critical decisions along the way, Thank you Sir, So Much!  A warm and sincere Heartfelt grateful thanks to Miss B.J. Jean for your timely and most generous donation to the expedition!  Thank you, your timing is impeccable!  A special Thanks to the young Mr. Matt "Boom" Menchue of Donaldsonville, La. for sharing his campsite, supplies and knowledge of the area as well as knowledgeable conversation and your generous donation of "Cheating" gear with a traveler near the limit of endurance to the wet and cold!  A resounding and heartfelt thank you goes to the compassionate Miss Brenda Kimble of Simmesport, La. who provided me a room at the Best Western Hotel in Plaquemine, La. on a snowy, cold winter day and took me across town to resupply, thank you, so much, and may God bless you! Thank You to young Mr. Neal Crochet of Donaldsonville, La. for the healthy slice of Tennessee pumpkin pie!   I wish to express my gratitude to the kind gentleman who I met on the bank the evening I arrived at Gramercy, La. for the sandwiches and especially for the Coleman camp-stove!  Thank you, so much! That thing saved my bacon on those coldest nights!  My lasting gratitude is extended to Officer Billy Ballard and Lt. Jody T. Ordeneaux Jr. of the Gramercy Police Department for their courtesy, professionalism and their "above and beyond" assistance with local information, assistance in obtaining services, providing vital supplies to fully re-stock the expedition and help in locating charging sources for the electronics!  All this on a New Year Holiday weekend!  Both these men are shining examples of outstanding character and do credit to their uniforms.  Thank you both, so much!  A very grateful and heartfelt thank you goes to Mr. Torrey Burnett of Gramercy, La. who made it possible to finally get a homemade gumbo dinner and for your generous donation of cash and gear.  Thanks also goes to young Mr. Ronald of Gramercy, La. for the ride to get the dinner, your donation of drinking-water, steaks and a ride back to camp. Thank you and appreciation for the ride across town to Auto Zone of Gramercy, La. extended to Mr. Andy.  A warm word of appreciation going to the young person who I met at the Dollar General in Gramercy, La. for the Boston creme pie honeybun! That crazy thing was delicious!  I would also like to extend my gratitude and appreciation for the patience, assistance and tolerance of the wonderful staff at the St. James Parish Library during my protracted stay through the inclement weather. Thanks also to Mr Seth Melancon of V&M MOTOR, CO. INC of Lutcher, La for charging the power-pack and providing bits of tech for upgrades to the outriggers.  A special word of thanks to Mr. Darrell Louque, Certified Technician at V&M MOTORS of Lutcher, La. for your donation of the siren as a further safety feature for the "Jet-Fighter". I would like to express my gratitude and my thanks to Mr. Alan Berthelot of Gramercy, La. for his timely and unselfish donation of the Cabela waders and again to Officer Billy Ballard of the Gramercy Police Department for his aid in locating and securing them.  I wish to express my grateful thanks to Mr. Ty Reno, reired Navy Deep-Sea diver for a welcome ride across the bridge on a blistering cold and icy morning.  My thanks goes to the crew of the TAK1 Tug-boat, Captain Daniel Hernandez, Steersman Jared Silbernagel and Deckhand Jordan Hernandez for a moments' respite on the river and the drinks and snacks,...thank you Genetlemen!  A word of thanks to Mr. Wilbert J. Roussel Jr. for his courtesy of warning me he was hunting in the area of my camp on the bend below Gramercy on a bitterly cold evening.  A resounding and heartfelt thanks to Mr. "Big" John Batson of Killona, La. for the assistance with the campsite, a wonderful night under a roof and the more than generous donation of food and expedition equipment as well as a grateful "thank you" to his wonderful wife Karen for the hot, homecooked meal and true southern hospitality.  Thank you to Mr. David Frosch for the assistance, advice and donation when I made shore at the bend above Avondale.  I would like to express my gratitude to the two Firemen, Randy and James Fell for their professionalism and courtesy to a traveler, and a special word of thanks to Mr. Fell for his later donation to the project, thank You sir.  My gratitude is extended and thanks going to Cris and Paul of Algiers point, New Orleans for the conversation, advice and a fabulous home-cooked dinner.   My thanks also to Mr. Kevin of Algiers point for his lively conversation and assistance to a traveler, Thank you sir.  My gratitude and appreciation going to Mr. Paul Becnel Sr. of Jesuit Bend, La. for the use of the area back of the orchard for my camp and your hospitality of a meal.  A word of thanks and encouragement to "follow your dreams" going to young Mr. Paul Becnel Jr. of Jesuit Bend, La.  My sincere gratitude is given to Miss Helen Stewart, Shannon Curlie-Patrick an Mr. Trey Reid for your generous and unselfish donations to the project, thank you and may God multiply your blessings!  Grateful Thanks and true appreciation also is due the two donors to the expedition who wished to remain anonymous.  My utmost gratitude goes to the staff of the radio station KARN 102.9 for the on-air mention of the expedition  by "First News with Kevin Miller".  Heartfelt thanks to Mr. Tuan Nguyen, owner of SHARKCO SEAFOOD of Venice, La. for the expedition finish photo, use of the property for my camp and the wonderful live "Ponchartrain Blue Crabs", they were Awesome!  Finally, to my dear friend Mr. Will Quenan, retired Navy Pilot, I extend my heartfelt and humble thanks for your advice, unselfish assistance, quiet guidance, support for the mission, donations to the project and your ongoing support and friendship, all I can do is say, "thank you,