Rollin' Down the River: History, Community, and Outdoor Wonders on the Missouri

Rollin' Down the River. From Headwaters to Heartland: Missouri River History, Communities, and Outdoor Wonders.

On today's episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series, we chat with Larry N. Campbell, retired math professor and author of Rollin' Down the River: Discovering People and Places along the Mighty Missouri.

After decades in the classroom, Larry embarked on a journey that would take him along the entire length of the Missouri River, tracing its path from its headwaters in Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi. 

DISCUSSION

1. Spark Behind the Missouri River Journey and the Book

• Retirement and the search for new adventures.
• Inspiration from a friend’s recommendation about an author who journeyed the Mississippi.

2. Planning the Missouri River Adventure

• Reaching out to Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs.
• Getting local support from communities along the river.

3. Personal Connection to the Missouri River

• Growing up near Kansas City and proximity to the river.
• How the desire to explore the river emerged organically.

4. Trip Preparation

• Assembling stops along the river.
• Balancing pre-planning with a sense of exploration.

5. Starting Point and Geography of the Missouri River

• The official versus the “real” source of the Missouri at Three Forks, Montana.
• Lewis and Clark’s expedition and naming the river tributaries—Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin.

6. Experiences Along the Journey

• The physical beauty and character of Montana’s landscapes and skies.
• Local wildlife, unique people, and ferry operators (“human treasures”).

7. The Evolution and Scale of the Missouri River

• From a mountain stream to a muddy river.
• Fascination with river confluences.

8. Memorable Experiences and Reflections

• Navigating moments of doubt and homesickness.
• The diversity and similarity of river towns

9. Encounters with Communities and Individuals

• Stories about local generosity.
• Time zones and town splits along the river (e.g., Pierre, SD).

10. River Activities and Wildlife

• Canoe trip on the Jefferson River.
• Observing anglers and wildlife (including a beaver sighting).

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Larry, visit his website at https://larryncampbell.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LarryCampbellAuthor

NEXT STEPS

If you enjoy outdoor adventure podcasts, find us online at https://outdooradventureseries.com.

KEYWORDS

Larry N. Campbell, Rollin' Down the River, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview, PodMatch

#OutdoorAdventureSeries #Podcast #PodcastInterview #Podmatch

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