Cincinnati to Louisville by voyageur canoe

And now for something completely different: I’m paddling from Cincinnati to Louisville, the second leg of the Ohio River Way Challenge. Spanning 488 miles over 23 days, the Ohio River Way organization describes the Challenge as an interdisciplinary expedition of paddling, storytelling, community engagement, and shared adventure, celebrating the beauty, history, and culture of the Ohio River and its communities. This year is the most ambitious route yet: from Huntington, West Virginia, to Evansville, Indiana.

We’re journeying in two voyageur canoes,  26 feet long and one 30. The “Floating Lab," a 55-foot houseboat, serves as interdisciplinary research hub for 10 student interns. Along the way, we’re camps in town parks, or, given the thunderstorms, sleeping on the floor in generously offered community centers. Most memorably, we’re meeting community leaders and other great people all along the way. (You can find the float plan here.)

This year, in the wake of the river’s National Water Trail designation,  the National Park Service has sent a documentary filmmaker on the entire expedition!

The adventure I’m sharing is supported through sponsorships. Funds raised here go entirely to support the Ohio River Way's broader mission is to help people find adventure, to inspire care for the land and water, and to grow the economies of Ohio River communities. 

Thank you for your interest in the Challenge and considering supporting the Ohio River Way’s. If you would like to learn more, the organization suggests the Challenge's 2025 Trip Report. Or you can wait for my account, loosely based on the actual events of this week.