Matt made it to the Natchitoches town center at around 2:30pm. That’s later than he had predicted. The wind is very brutal. If he relaxes for a few seconds, the winds drive him back several feet. So his struggle to move forward is immense. He will need to continue poling until after 10pm if he wants to make it to his desired camping spot.
He was a hit downtown. Several shop owners knew to expect him. Matt’s dad visited shops Matt had requested to invite them down to see him. He called in an order for a pizza delivery at Beaudoin’s Famous Pizza. When the owner found out who it was for and what the project included, he delivered it himself and accepted no payment. When Matt’s dad told the hardware store owner that Matt was moored on Front Street, he dropped what he was doing and came to visit him. The gift shop owner was manning her shop alone, so she stuck a note on the door that said she’d be back soon, and locked the door.
It’s interesting to see how excited many of the town’s people have been. The hardware store owner has helped Matt throughout the raft preparation project.
Several people who were at the waterfront asked Matt questions about the project, and expressed bewilderment or a desire to do something similar.
Refueled and refreshed by the pizza, Matt climbed aboard and resumed his intense struggle against the wind.
He was a hit downtown. Several shop owners knew to expect him. Matt’s dad visited shops Matt had requested to invite them down to see him. He called in an order for a pizza delivery at Beaudoin’s Famous Pizza. When the owner found out who it was for and what the project included, he delivered it himself and accepted no payment. When Matt’s dad told the hardware store owner that Matt was moored on Front Street, he dropped what he was doing and came to visit him. The gift shop owner was manning her shop alone, so she stuck a note on the door that said she’d be back soon, and locked the door.
It’s interesting to see how excited many of the town’s people have been. The hardware store owner has helped Matt throughout the raft preparation project.
Several people who were at the waterfront asked Matt questions about the project, and expressed bewilderment or a desire to do something similar.
Refueled and refreshed by the pizza, Matt climbed aboard and resumed his intense struggle against the wind.
2 comments:
Hey Matt, I am a friend and business associate of your Dad's, in the speaking business. He told me about your "art" adventure last week. To me, art makes you think differently. It makes you wonder. That is for sure what you are doing. And the reaction you are getting from the people in the small towns is just like their reaction to perhaps modern art. They aren't sure why you are doing this, but they sure want to see it and to talk to the crazy guy poling his way down the river. Who knows what kinds of conversations and future actions will come out of this, all because you poled by their town! Good luck and keep your head down in that wind!
Go Matt! Good luck.
Post a Comment