We have hit the $12,000 mark!

We just received another $700.00 from friends from the GRE Expedition, All Saints Church, greater East Lansing community and from wonderful people who saw us on Channel 13 in Grand Rapids and Channel 10 in Lansing. We have it $12,000 and are now working on $13,000. If you haven't already donated please consider doing... so on my secure link on the left side of this page. Thank you!

No more paddling for now

I'm not in the water. I'm enjoying a double espresso and the company of Jake and Antonia. I'm very happy but miss the river.

Three more days to go.

Great coverage on Channel 13 News Grand Rapids.


I am now diayzing in a Holiday Inn.  A bit tired.  On dialysis and need to get up at 5:30, so just some pics for now.

Where I had been staying.  hank you Larry and Sue.

My wonderful paddling partner Diane.  Thank you Diane.

Day 9 - Sunny, Slow, Wet, Thunder, Speed Paddle, Great Bowman

I've been at Ionia State Park with Andria's Dad, Larry and is wonderful wife Sue, who have been my incredible hosts with their 28 ft. travel trailer and delicious meals.  I came into town and found a Biggby's for the wi-fi, definitely not the espresso.  My heart belongs to Coffee Jam.  


The stories keep coming, but for now I'll post some photos since Larry is itching to do some fishing, er, o.k., I'm itching to do some fishing.


Yesterday and today I had my cuz, Matt canoeing for me.  I met my cuz only five years ago or so, and this was a wonderful time to meet this incredibly neat twenty four year old man.  We had a great time, especially as we blew through the river ahead of a electrical storm today.  We made to the take out in time. For awhile it felt as if we were in the Au Sable Marathon Canoe Race.  Many of our fellow paddlers have actually been in that race.  It was fun to pretend.  Thankfully, we only had forty-five minutes to go.


I have much more to write about Matt, and my other bowman, including my wonderful Andria, but for now enjoy the photos and accept my apology for not getting online sooner.  I have to admit I've been pretty tired at night.  Tomorrow I'll be at the Grand Haven Spring Lake Holiday Inn and will have wi-fi access, though I haven't seen my family since Sunday.  They'll be joining me tomorrow and we'll have some catching up to do.  I'll post as soon as I can.  Cheers and thank you for following me.  Erich

Day 1 and Day 2 pics

Tired but delighted

I've been on the river for three days and have paddled over 60 miles. Each night I plan to write something significant but have enough energy to spend some time with my family and get on dialysis and sleep. It is truly a great trip and I've been blessed to have my son, a friend I haven't seen in over twenty years and a dear cousin join me. I'm heading for dialysis now. I hope to post soon. Erich

Tomorrow is the day!

I'm excited and nervous as I lay hear the night before shoving off into the Grand River.  I have seven hours and seventeen minutes of dialysis left before my machine alarms that it is done and that it is time to wake up and take out the needles.


I have so much to catch up on.  I really haven't had time to blog as I had wished.  With the kids out for summer I try to focus me energies on them.  I owe it to them since I'm not sure of the future.  I know that know one is, but I do know the odds favor the house in my case.


My recovery from my hemorrhoids surgery took about five weeks which put a damper on my training.  In the past two weeks I've tried to make up lost time by paddling and hiking.  I haven't seen a gym in seven weeks.  We'll find out tomorrow what type of shape I'm in.


I have been spending an incredible amount of time on a 1,000 piece mailing which seems to be paying off, especially after all the great press I've received recently.  We are up to $10,000 and working on hard on reaching $20,000.


Jacob is joining me tomorrow for the first float.  I'm happy with a pinch of trepidation about my son on board.  It is not too technical, rather he may tire out.   He is very excited and so am I.  I think we'll be talking about this for the rest of lives.


Here are some photos of Mike Watters getting my boat all dolled up for the event.  Mike owns Blue Fish Advertising and donated his services.  Thanks, Mike.


Wish me luck and skill, for I'm on the water tomorrow.


Good night, Erich

More positive media helping to get the word out about Paddling on Dialysis for Kidney Health.

Dawn Parker filed a great story in the Towne Courier which nicely highlighted my watershed management career.

Also, I'll be a guest on the Jack Ebbling Show tomorrow night somewhere after 5:30 p.m.

Paddling the extra mile

Cole Bertsos of The State News filed a nice article today, Paddling the extra mile, E.L. resident to canoe Grand River to raise funds for National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.