May 9, 2008-Redwood Falls
We have a sighting! They were in Redwood Falls today and met with Redwood Falls Gazette reporter Kevin Kotz and the Redwood Falls
mayor, Gary Revier. The mayor gave the boys the "Keys to the City". You'll see pictures of their meeting and welcome in the next edition of
the Redwood Falls Gazette. The mayor then called Dan, Colton's father and personally told him what a pleasure it was to meet the young
men. The mayor said the boys seemed to be very removed from the current media attention, humbled by their meeting today and focused on
their travels. They were both sunburned and peeling. I guess they decided they didn't need that sunscreen we made a special trip to
purchase for them. Kids. Arrangements had been made for the boys to spend last night at a deer camp with a shower, but due to the lack of
cell service they didn't connect until today. Thanks for the kind gesture, I'm sorry they missed that. Thanks also to the mayor Gary Revier,
Kevin Kotz of the Gazette and the city of Redwood Falls for welcoming them. We also received numerous emails from many people from
here to the Vatican today. A seminary student in Rome studying to become a priest sent his prayers. They received a request to speak with
conservation groups upon their return and have also been requested to document the condition of the river for future study. They have offers
of support for the entire distance of the Red River. Their journey is being used as a geography lesson in a classroom in Iowa. We will print
these emails and show the boys when we see them. They should be near Granite Falls tomorrow night. Thanks again for everything.

May 8, 2008-No news yet. We're thinking they should be close to Redwood Falls, but haven't heard from them. Nick Coleman at the Star
Tribune did an update article in today's Star Tribune Metro section. There's a link to it on the home page. Thanks Nick-

May 7, 2008-Morgan
We know they left New Ulm this morning, but no other word since then. They set off their locater that says they're fine and gives us their
location. They evidently do not have cell service. We hope to hear from them tomorrow. Nick Coleman from the Star Tribune called today
looking for an update. He says the interest in the story is phenomenal-thanks Nick. We will update tomorrow when we have new information.

May 6, 2008-New Ulm
Due to thunderstorms, torrential rains, and hail, they stayed in New Ulm today. It seems that they have become friends with some of the
locals and have been given jobs to earn their food. Thanks again Virginia. They're doing some filing at a local club. They did their interview
with KSTP AM 1500 this morning. If you missed it, it was fun to listen to. They said the trip is at least as much fun as they expected! They
were invited to call in again periodically throughout the trip to give Willie & Jay updates. We'll let you know when to tune in again.

May 5, 2008-New Ulm
They arrived in New Ulm at around 6:00PM. It was a great day of paddling. The weather cooperated and after they passed the Cottonwood
River, the current weakened a bit. They were met in New Ulm by a friendly person named Virginia and she took them to dinner to discuss
their trip. Virginia discussed her trip from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. -Thanks Virginia- Tune your radio tomorrow morning, May 6,
between 7:00AM and 9:00AM to KSTP AM1500. They have a call in interview with Willie & Jay. They don't have an exact time, but think it will
be early.

May 4, 2008-Judson
They left Mankato at about 8:30AM. They arrived in Judson at 6:00PM The wind is extremely strong in their face again today, making travel
very difficult. At one point the wind was so strong they had to get out of the canoe and pull it upstream with a rope. So, needless to say
they're experiencing extremely difficult conditions. We picked them up on the road by a bridge and went to New Ulm for dinner. It's quite
interesting dining with people who have been camping for a week:) The thing they miss the most is music. (Besides their parents, HaHa!)
They sang to each other in the canoe. Just imagine hearing them coming up the river.
They each had a message to put on the site:
Sean-"We made it thru a rough week and we're on the second chapter of the trip!" Sean wants to give a shout out to Erin!
Colton-"I'm good to go!"
May 3, 2008-Mankato
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh-Yes! The sun has come out and the wind is at their back! Colton is feeling better. Sean is patient and strong as ever. They
made some progress on the river today! They got out on the river at about 9:30AM and arrived in Mankato at about 7:00PM. It's slow going as
the area has had three inches of rain in the last 24 hours making the current extremely strong against them.  They're staying with friends
tonight in Mankato.
May 2, 2008-St.Peter
Colton is still under the weather. They're laying low due to illness and heavy rain and thunderstorms. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Their
camera broke and due to the generosity of Gayleen and Bill Clark they have a new waterproof camera. Burt the pilot gave us the aerial
photos today. Cammie,  found the wonderful blog that's posted on the home page about the boys.  Thanks so very much for everyone's
support.
May 1, 2008-St. Peter
They were out on the river again today. They made it as far as St. Peter. Unfortunately, Colton is not feeling well again. But they did manage to
travel. Burt, the pilot, took more photos and had lunch with them. Burt said from the air, the current looks extremely strong and they are
really working hard. A local radio station has asked to interview them. A local environmental group has asked them to speak when they
return. The media interest continues.
April 30, 2008-Henderson
They're up and running again. Colton is feeling better, so they're back in the river! Today, Kare11 went out in their helicopter and took
pictures of the boys on the river. They aired on the 10:00PM newscast. The Star Tribune reporter called and said he's going to follow them
and meet them on their layover days to continue the story.
There is so much interest in the trip and we're grateful for all of the thoughts and prayers!
They have their SPOT locator working! They beamed us their location in Henderson.
April 29, Belle Plaine
A pilot from Shakopee, Burt Ackerman, (We've never met Burt) called-he wanted to know if we wanted aerial photos of Colton and Sean on
the river. Dan of course, said yes definitely, but he really wanted to go with. Burt invited Dan to travel to LeSueur to the airplane.  They flew
around and saw the boys. Burt's plane is a restored 1946 Piper Cub. It was a wonderful day!
We don’t really know where the boys are-Pat Bloomfield found the directions to their GPS on the floor in Sean’s room, so they evidently didn’t
make it to their bags.
Colton called and is not feeling well. Advice to those planning a similar trip-don't do this after an all nighter of prom.
April 28, 2008-Departure
Colton & Sean didn’t sleep very much the night before. Everyone was up at 6:30AM to prepare for the big departure. When we arrived, at the
landing, there were approximately 50 people waiting for the bon voyage and 4 media crews. It was 32 degrees, windy and snowing. The boys
made a few hasty comments and were off. The reached the outskirts of Belle Plain that evening. They called at noon and said they were cold
and wanted to be picked up. Ha Ha!
Thanks to everyone who came to the send off!
Updates Continued...