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amymasson
Nashville Tennessee, United States of America

18 Ohio
amymasson
2012
Paula Andruss and I have been friends for a long time (we met working at Crain's Chicago Business), long before the SUP obsession. One of the things that has been fun is to introduce people to paddling (either personally, or just the idea of it). We planned my trip to Ohio to paddle once her kids were back in school for the year. Let me tell you, they were not happy when I drove up with boards on the car and they realized that they were not going to get to paddle them. Next time, Andruss children, I promise. Grand Valley is a pretty, hidden gem.
Photo credit: Paula Andruss
Cincinnati Ohio, United States of America

02 Tennessee
amymasson
2011
It was while paddling on Old Hickory Lake with Tim Inskeep, who first became my coach and later my friend, where I had the idea of padding in 10 states, which then became 50-plus. Tim and I spent hours and hours (and hours) on the water here. This one was at sunrise.
Photo credit: Tim Inskeep
Old Hickory Tennessee, United States of America

20 Maryland
margaret
2013
Stop two on the 2,410-mile solo road trip. The weather was bad in the morning and I wasn't optimistic, but it ended up being a beautiful flatwater lake at Rocky Gap State Park with a few kids on YOLO Yaks paddling round the bend. I taught a family who was unloading their kayaks to SUP at the launch point at the end of my paddle.
I had to do a U-turn when I was looking for the launch spot, because I saw this sign for Pennsylvania, and I needed to be on the Maryland side.
I put a sticker on my board from each state and this is one of my favorites.
Flintstone Maryland, United States of America

03 Alabama
margaret
My first solo paddle! This was one of the spots where I used to like to kayak, thanks to my friend Captain Chris Nelson, so I knew where I was going. Dolphins swam under my board, which blew my mind. I have paddled here many, many, many times since. I love how it starts out as one ecoclimate and ends up as another in Wolf Bay, or even in the Gulf of Mexico. This is one of my favorite places on Earth.
According to Native-Land.ca, this is Mvskoke land.
Foley Alabama, United States of America

01 Florida
margaret
I first paddled with YOLO Board Jeff Archer as part of an article for Entrepreneur magazine. We met at Coastal Paddle Co. and I paddled two boards. The experience rocked my world. Neither Jeff nor I knew what kind of obsession was about to be unleashed.
Later in the same year I paddled in a race here.
Gulf Breeze Florida, United States of America

05 Idaho
I grew up in Boise and spent time at Lucky Peak as a teen. This solo paddle was fantastic, because it was powerful to see the place from a different perspective, both the physical perspective of being on a board, but also the perspective of being a grownup at one of your childhood hangouts.
South Lucky Peak Dam Road Idaho, United States of America

06 Illinois
My friends Judy Sutton Taylor and Stephanie Krol joined me on Lake Michigan (thanks, Groupon, for their rentals!). We launched from behind the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where I spent almost every waking moment of 1993. It was great to be there as a different person on this different adventure. Also, seeing the skyline from that vantage point was fantastic.
Evanston Illinois, United States of America

07 Georgia
I am a good paddler, but a terrible singer. This did not stop me from singing, "Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee" for this entire paddle. It is kind of surprising my sister still speaks to me, much less paddles with me.
In 2013 my friend Jacky invited me to meet her at the Ritz Carlton's Reynolds Plantation on Lake Ocoee, where we band had a gig. We paddled wearing the fancy plush robes from the hotel, because: photo op.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America

08 Arkansas
People fresh water SCUBA dive here at Mountain Harbor Resort. Yes, in Arkansas. I had no idea. I loved the quartz lined cliffs and the clear, deep water. I think this was the first wet suit paddle, which was not necessary. I loved this part of Arkansas.
Lake Ouachita West Arkansas, United States of America

09 Mississippi
I met my friend Captain Chris Nelson in Alabama, but he grew up in Mississippi, so he was quick to take me to the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve when I needed another state. It was breathtaking, with oyster shoals and marshes and Native American history and expansive views. There was also evidence of alligators, which terrified me, but I tried to keep my mouth shut about that.
According to Native-Land.ca, this is Chahta Yakni land.
Moss Point Mississippi, United States of America

10 California
Thanks to my friends at YOLO Board, I got to meet Brody Welte of PaddleFit when I was in San Diego. I thought Brody was just going to help me meet my first goal: 10 states in the first year. Brody helped me see that Nashville Paddle Co. could be a reality. A year later I was PaddleFit Level 2 certified.
San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, California, United States of America

12 Kentucky
My friend DG Strong is an enabler in the best possible way. He enables me to reach my goals, even when they are not his dreams. Case in point: this campsite (top photo) in Land Between The Lakes, so I could just paddle from our campsite. While he cooked for me. The bottom photo is his dog Mabel.
Homeplace 1850s Working Farm at Land Between The Lakes Tennessee, United States of America

13 Montana
My sister Liz is another good enabler. She loves to paddle, too, so we headed out from our parents house in Idaho for a Northwest road trip. We loved Bozeman, which is a sentence my 16-year-old self never expected to utter/write/think.
Seriously, though, this is one of the prettiest places I have ever paddled. No Sprint cell service (even roaming) in the entire state of Montana, so it was a good thing she was with me when I needed to do some "real" work. My boarding school friend Heather Hume was a great enabler here, too, setting us up with an amazing place to stay, in walking distance of all downtown Bozeman's charms.
Hyalite Canyon Road Montana, United States of America

14 Wyoming
Yes. That is a buffalo in the parking lot where we are unloading boards. And, yes, that is me paddling on Yellowstone Lake. America is amazing. This picture helps me remember that everyday.
West Yellowstone Montana, United States of America

17 North Carolina
My dear friend DG Strong planned a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway so I could paddle North Carolina (and Virginia, see No. 4 for that story) and see where he spent time as a kid. We (with our friend Jeremy Lehmann) camped in his uncle's backyard and ended up making sauerkraut for everyone we know thanks to this trip. But first I had to paddle Fontana Lake. (Fancy sign is DG's doing, too.)
Photo credit: DG Strong
Fontana Lake Drive, North Carolina, United States of America

19 West Virginia
My friend Lisa Futterman invited me to a big 50th birthday bash in the Catskills. I looked at a map and realized I could paddle in seven - nine states if I drove instead of flew to said party. So I embarked on a 2,410-mile road trip. First stop: Beautiful West Virginia. I wanted to paddle the New River (bottom photo), but the water was too high and I didn't think I should do it alone, so here I am at Summersville Lake (top photo), which was not shabby. This was the first of many stops with very clear water on this trip. I will get back to the New River someday.
According to Native-Land.ca, this is S’atsoyaha (Yuchi) and Moneton land.
Summersville, West Virginia, United States of America

21 New York
My friend Andrea Miller has embraced SUP, and has become the SUP yoga guru (living across the street from the beach in Florida does not hurt). Miller and I were at our friend Futterman's birthday party, and had tried the day before this to paddle on the Hudson River where we were staying. But tide, current and wind meant I stood for about 0.25 brutal miles before she said, "I don't think this is a good idea." So, we opted for Plan B the next day: an Audubon wildlife refuge from the Catskill, NY marina.
Photo credit: Andrea Miller
Hudson New York, United States of America

15 Oregon
My brother, sister-in-law and nieces got in on the quest when my sister and I headed to Oregon. They even had a sticker for my board waiting for me on arrival. I bought my nieces a Coastal Cruiser so they can paddle when I am not there (and I borrowed it for this leg of the trip).
Sauvie Island, Oregon, United States of America

16 Washington
My sister and I paddled here en route from Idaho to Oregon. There was nothing wrong with it (and I am not sure why I don't have any photos), but I know there are prettier paddles. Washington State, I owed you more, but fortunately, I've been able to paddle here a number of times. Including with my niece wearing an umbrella hat in the rain in 2014 and at Lake Mayfield in 2019.
Horse Heaven Washington, United States of America

22 Connecticut
My friend Stephanie Romary offered me a "soft place to sleep" in exchange for teaching her to paddle on my Connecticut stop. Done and done! Here she is on the Saugatuck River, where we checked out Downunder SUP, saw deer on the river's edge and celebrated Independence Day by eating Thai food in the rain at the beach, watching her daughters see their first fireworks.
I put a sticker on my board after each paddle, but this is one of the stickers I still need to find.
Westport, Connecticut, United States of America

23 New Jersey
A lovely way to spend the country's birthday: paddling with a friend who loves road trips. Jenna Schnuer did a big cross-country trip last year, so she didn't even mind how bad I smelled at this point in my drive.
According to Native-Land.ca, this is Munsee Lenape land.
Split Rock Road New Jersey, United States of America

11 Louisiana
I had no business paddling this day. The weather was awful. Too windy. Rainy. Threats of lightning and thunder. But it had been that way all week and I was determined to add the state. So, I abandoned plans to paddle on Lake Pontchartrain and instead went to Bayou St. John. I was disappointed because I knew which song I was going to sing with Lake Pontchartrain in the lyrics. It all worked out, but, I also could have ended up on the news that day, which is dumb. Also, the hotel almost lost my car because they didn't have anywhere to park it with the board on top. New Orleans is always an adventure. So, Louisiana, I owe you a better paddle.
(Update: in 2016 Michelle and I went back for a long paddle on Bayou St. John with our friends at NOLA Paddleboards. And then we had po' boys at Parkway. We also paddled with our YOLO friends at Muddy River Paddle Co. on LSU Lake in Baton Rouge.)
According to Native-Land.ca, Chahta Yakni (Choctaw) and Chitimacha land.
New Orleans Louisiana, United States of America

04 Virginia
This is a long story. The rules for this quest are that I have to count the state from where I launch. No launching in Illinois, paddling over to Michigan and calling it two states.
In July 2011 I visited my amazing cousins, Charlotte and Jennifer, in DC and talked them into paddling No. 4 with me. We did a sunrise paddle on the Potomac River, with the sun reflecting off the monuments. It was epic, but before I owned a GoPro, so you'll just have to trust me. We launched from Columbia Island Marina in Arlington for this paddle, so I counted it as Virginia. But I never felt good about it, because it really was a Washington, DC paddle.
So, when I went to the Blue Ridge Parkway (see No. 17) I made my friends make a detour (including a visit to Mt. Rogers Outfitters for some ideas of where to go). Jeremy Lehmann and I repaddled Virginia while DG Strong sat on the banks of South Holston Lake and contemplated my mental illness.
Arlington Virginia, United States of America

Bonus paddle: Washington, DC
See No. 4 for the whole story of the Washington, DC paddle.
Washington D.C., Washington, D.C., United States of America

26a Kansas
My sister (an enabler mentioned in earlier paddling exploits) was at a work convention in Kansas City, MO, so I decided to embark on a 1,200-something-mile trip, drive to meet her, and paddle a few more states. Our first state was Kansas. We got a late start heading to Shawnee Mission Lake, which is in Shawnee Mission Park, which I read is the most-visited park in the state.
We drove in and passed a hilarious sign that read, “no alcohol or cereal malt beverages.” Think about that for a minute. Then we got to the dock and realized that the conference and driving and laughing at the sign had eaten up a lot of time. We paddled, but we had to get off the water sooner than I would have liked because it was dark, and I wasn’t sure that the paddle should count toward my tally.
The next day after the conference, we went to Hillsdale Lake, which was large and pretty, with lots of submerged tree trunks. It was very windy and also a relatively short paddle, but combined I think they count for Kansas. We saw sunflowers in bloom, which I understand is what you are supposed to see in Kansas in September.
Photo credit: Liz Littman
According to Native-Land.ca, this is Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) land.
Shawnee Mission Parkway Kansas, United States of America

26b Kansas
See No. 26a for the whole Kansas story
Top and bottom photo credits: Liz Littman
Lake Road Kansas, United States of America

27 Iowa
One of the rules I created for the 50-state quest is that I count the paddle as the state from where I launch. Lots of waterways wind along state borders; those paddles can’t count as multiple states. I can paddle the same body of water in different states (for example, I could count Lake Michigan for Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and/or Michigan) as long as they were four separate paddles with four different launch spots, one in each state. (Although I likely would not do this, as it is sort of beside the point of seeing the country, and experiencing different waterways.)
So, Carter Lake, an oxbow lake* that used to be part of the Missouri River, posed a problem. It is surrounded by Nebraska, but the Supreme Court ruled in 1892 that both the lake itself and the city of Carter Lake were, in fact, Iowa. It is the only place where Iowa is west of the Missouri River. (Liz and I had originally intended to paddle Saylorville Lake or Lake Red Rock or somewhere else near Des Moines, but we had to change our route.) So, we drove around and asked some kind Iowans (wearing Hawkeye shirts, of course) where there was a public launch on the Iowa side of the lake. Once there, we paddled underneath plans taxiing at the Omaha’s Eppley Airfield, alongside large lily pads and next to a skateboard park.
*As an art history major in college, I studied Thomas Cole's The Oxbow frequently. I was very excited to paddle on an oxbow lake. (Hmmm, I wonder if I can paddle that particular Oxbow in Massachusetts.)
Bottom photo credit: Liz Littman
Carter Lake Iowa, United States of America

28 Nebraska
People kept asking me, “How are you going to do Alaska?” And I said, “I’m not worried about Alaska. I’m worried about Nebraska. When am I going to be in Nebraska with a paddleboard?”
Now I am not worried. Also, you can pretty much do whatever you want in Omaha on a Saturday morning during a Huskers game. We were the only people on the water. And on the streets. And, well, anywhere that was not a bar.
This was the muddiest paddle so far. And the first paddle next to a cemetery.
Omaha Nebraska, United States of America

29 Missouri
I wanted to paddled under the Arch for Missouri, but the Mississippi was not cooperating. This worked just as well (albeit without the iconic image).
Valley Park, Missouri, United States of America

30 Indiana
60 percent of the way there! And I hadn’t even intended to paddle this week. In fact, I didn’t even pack my boards for my trip to Ohio. I cleaned all the paddling gear out of my car. And then at the last minute—really, I was ready to pull out of the driveway—I called my friend Paula and decided to strap it all to the top of the car.
When I got to town, Paula was updating me on all the big Cincinnati news, including the fact that Pure Romance might relocate to Indiana because the state was offering better tax incentives. And she said what would become the magic words: “It is only 30 minutes away.” The next thing she knows we’re looking up launch spots on Brookville and Whitewater Lakes, her daughter is drawing a sign for me, and we’re driving across the state line.
From the water we saw black vultures circling above; we read this warning about these birds—only found in Southern Indiana—“attacking” cars at the boat launch. So we weren’t really sure what we’d find we got back. But we survived the attack of the car-eating black vultures. We had a lovely time in a cove protected from the wind, with wildflowers, trees just starting to turn colors, heron and jumping fish.
(Unfortunately, I just realized that when I paddled No. 18 I promised Paula’s kids that I would bring boards and paddle with them next time I came to town and it didn’t happen. I see a used board in their future...)
Photo credit: Paula Andruss
According to Native-Land.ca, this is Osage land.
Brookville Indiana, United States of America

31 Texas
No. 31: Texas! No. 31 was looking jinxed. I had aborted attempts in three other states (Utah, Colorado and New Mexico) due to weather. And we thought we were getting thunderstorms. But today was epic: almost 6 miles in downtown Austin where we got to meet SUP Gladiator in person, on the water. Cade from Austin Paddle Sports rented us awesome Whiskeyjack paddles and Ron House race boards, which are several steps up from what we normally get when we rent.
We paddled under the Congress Avenue bridge where the night before we saw the world's largest urban bat colony emerge. When we were downwind of the bridge it didn’t smell as good as upwind. We then paddled by a dog beach, topless (female) paddlers, awesome graffiti, the skyline by the sculpture of Stevie Ray Vaughn. My friend Michelle, who was my first paddler friend and is pictured below with SRV, paddled her eighth state today. She is an excellent enabler. We lucked into the Gelato World Tour and a place called Bourbon Girl after our paddle, so pretty much best. day. ever.
Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail Texas, United States of America

32 Minnesota
Jacky and I knew each other in Chicago, and when her band (The August) moved to Nashville we became better friends. Then she got as obsessed with standup paddling as I am. We’ve done a bunch of cool paddles together, including in our bathrobes at the Ritz.
But now she enabled me to do states No. 32 and No. 33. We made the long drive from Nashville to her parents’ lakefront cabin in Wisconsin. The next morning we woke up (not early) to her mother making us breakfast. Then Jacky and her mom packed us a lunch (complete with names on our bags) and we got back in the car and drove some more to lovely Winona, Minnesota. I had never even heard of Winona until I looked at the map and it looked like it had a decent lake, but Jacky had been a bunch of times to visit friends who went to college there.
We paddled on Lake Winona, launching from a park district facility where locals can use paddleboards, kayaks and canoes (and log roll, something I want to add at NPC) if they have a membership, for $5 for 365 days. Sigh. Oh, and they had free WiFi. I was jealous of this place. But I digress.
We paddled for four hours, picnicking on our boards, looking at the amazing scenery, showing a few people how to hold their paddles properly, making our way under two bridges and finding Water Narnia. There had been storms recently, so the water was very high (one of the reasons we did not paddle the Mississippi here), but that allowed us to go places people usually can’t.
On our way out of town we stopped to buy some unusual supplies we knew we needed for No. 33.
Winona Minnesota, United States of America

33 Wisconsin
As I mentioned on No. 32, we stopped to buy some supplies for No. 33. It wasn’t the usual—water, sunscreen, food, clothing. It is was this:
We had decided to participate in the Independence Day pontoon boat parade by paddling along side the boats. We decorated Jacky’s family pontoon boat, then our paddles, then ourselves and set out with 25 or so boats similarly adorned. The theme was any holiday, so in addition to the 4th of July-themed boats there was Christmas, Cinco de Mayo, Halloween and Reggae/Jamaica (not sure what holiday that is. Every day is a holiday, mon?).
The wind kicked up and Jacky and I (and her cousin Molly, who had only paddled once or twice before) soon realized that we could not paddle at the same pace as the pontoon boats. We took a couple of short cuts, but paddled the whole six-cove lake. Both Jacky and her dad said they had never seen white caps on this inland lake before. It was a blast and a hard paddle. I want all 17 remaining states to include a parade.
Neshkoro Wisconsin, United States of America

34 Nevada
My friend Jamie Damato Migdal and I used to meet every couple of months or so to work together. I can't even remember how long it has been since we have been able to do that. So, we snuck off for a couple of days this week to catch up (and bring each other shirts from our respective businesses). So, of course, I paddled on Lake Las Vegas, which is near Lake Mead. (I'm holding a flag because it was Veterans Day.)
The timing was perfect. It was close to 80 degrees every day. I paddled a couple of times and basically had the lake to myself. I did yoga on the "beach" (as I am in the middle of the Baptise 40 Days to Personal Revolution program and couldn't skip a day's practice). The rest of the country was enduring an arctic blast. That was likely my last 80-degree paddle in 2014.
I can't tell you about what else we did, because, you know...what happens in Vegas...
Lake Las Vegas Parkway Nevada, United States of America

35 Maine
I joke all the time that my paddling business killed my paddling. But it is no joke. My paddling-related travel has been severely curtailed in summer. So, my friend Michelle and I picked three days we could sneak away. Made a list of the states that needed to be paddled in summer and cross-referenced it with a list of places Southwest Airlines flies. And we booked (and changed and rebooked three times, thanks Southwest for the no change fees!) a trip flying into Portland, Maine and out of Manchester, N.H. with a side trip to Vermont. Three states. Three days. We packed two Hala inflatables (the Playa and the Nass), and off we went.
I felt guilty about not paddling Maine with my friend Emily who used to live in Nashville moved to Maine, but had to grab the day when I could.
A life-long Mainer (Mainiac?) entertained us on the plane and suggested we see the pier and the beach life at Old Orchard Beach, which we did. We ate delicious seaside fries with malt vinegar for breakfast and then north to Rangeley Lakes. The views were spectacular and the water not nearly as cold as our airline companion suggested (although it was as crystal clear as promised). Sea planes landed and took off as we paddled, which was a first for us. But the water was choppy and the wind intense and I made the mistake of not turning off my phone (first time we had service in hours), so I got distracted. Still, that was state No. 35. As we drove on the scenic byways, we looked for another lake where we could paddle, because why not paddle twice in one day? We did some offroading near the AT (unless you are reading this from the rental car company, in which case, we never left the pavement), and pulled over at somewhere that may or may not have been named Beaver Pond and had the perfect dusk paddle. Call it No. 35A.
[caption id="attachment_2269" align="alignnone" width="300"] Michelle with sea plane[/caption][caption id="attachment_2270" align="alignnone" width="225"] No. 35A[/caption]
According to Native-Land.ca, Wabanaki Confederacy, Abenaki / Abénaquis, and Arosaguntacook land.
Rangeley Lake Seaplane Base Maine, United States of America

36 New Hampshire
Michelle and I went on a three-day, three-state paddle trip. We took a scenic drive through the White Mountains and what we could see was spectacular, even for a girl who grew up in the mountains. But then it got dark…because we stopped to paddle twice on the way (see also No. 35). We were so late getting to our B&B for the night that the innkeeper said, "Where the hell have you been?" which Michelle pointed out was not something you were likely to be asked in the south.
But they were lovely people with a lovelier dog and a lovely breakfast and the loveliest ideas of how to spend the day. We had intended to paddle on Lake Winnipesaukee (where some movie I have never seen called What About Bob takes place). But then the innkeeper told Michelle that it was actually filmed in Michigan and it had too much boat traffic. He suggested we paddle Squam Lake instead, which was where On Golden Pond took place and was filmed and we thought it was perfect until we got home and found out how many of our friends had never heard of On Golden Pond which made us feel as old as Henry Fonda.
But during the trip we didn't know that so we just paddled and explored lily pads and alcoves and the canal and got another windy paddle workout.
Afterwards we took a hike to a great view of the lake from Rattlesnake Mountain and then drove to Sandwich Creamery where you get amazing homemade ice cream (I picked ginger; Michelle mint chocolate chip) and cheese and pay on the honor system. It was a pretty perfect place except for the chicken who tried to get in the car and freaked me out so much I forgot to say "thanks" to the fellow tourists who pointed out the hitchhiking fowl.
Squam Lake Road New Hampshire, United States of America

37 Vermont
Despite the fact that we both are often up at dawn and both now feel as old as Henry Fonda (see No. 36) neither Michelle or I were as motivated as we planned for our Vermont sunrise paddle. We had an excellent dinner and drink at Doc Ponds (best. cauliflower and cucumber salad. ever.) the night before in Stowe and anyway, it didn't happen. Michelle went out to get coffee and I checked messages thinking the A/C was really dripping loudly. Turns out it was a heavy downpour and the radar didn't suggest it was going to let up.
We started driving south on scenic byway VT 100, although we missed several sites because we couldn't see them in the rain. We stopped to get some apple cider doughnuts because the ones at Edwards Orchard are some of the things I miss about living in Chicago. But they weren't cider-y or sweet and honestly kind of terrible. (But there we finally found a recycling bin and emptied the car of three days worth of recycling we refused to throw away, so there was that…and we found the perfect Vermont sticker for the board, even though I wasn't sure we were going to get to paddle...)
We kept driving and turned at Ben & Jerry's. When in Vermont, you know? We took the Ben & Jerry's and after we walked out all butterfatted and happy the rain had let up. So we took the obligatory photo and headed to Waterbury Reservoir and waited (somewhat) patiently for the gate to open. We entered the state park, got a little history on how it was built as a CCC project and then we had what was probably among the nicest 8 miles of our lives. Water like glass. No one else around. Secret waterfalls behind bends. We kept paddling and decided to take the interstate to the airport rather than the scenic route so we could keep paddling.
Stopped for a delicious Vermont cheese sandwich in a Montpelier co-op that was exactly what you think it was, drove by their gold-domed capitol and headed home.
Three perfect days. Maybe not for everyone, but for us.
Waterbury Vermont, United States of America

38 Utah
I grew up spending a lot of time in Utah (my grandparents and much of my family lived there, including one summer I worked their in high school). So, I didn't expect Utah to be such a hard state to check off my list. I had tried three other times:
Once on the Great Salt Lake, where the weather didn't cooperate; a few years later near Four Corners, where, again, the weather vetoed my plan; and then technically at Pineview Reservoir in 2016 for the Outdoor Retailer show's demo day. But since that's just paddling back and forth on the same spot all day, I don't feel right counting that.
My siblings and my niece agreed to accompany me to try again, as we were driving to Utah for a family bat mitzvah, bringing boards and gear. A friend recommended Causey Reservoir, which is just past Pineview, but about 1000% times prettier, and is restricted to non-motorized crafts: no power boats. You paddle up these finger-shaped inlets in the canyons and, if you're us at least, a bald eagle flies overhead while you are paddling! He stopped and sat in a tree for a long time while we were there and we could see him pretty clearly, even if you can't on the photos.
Thanks, Utah, some states are worth waiting for.
Ogden Utah, United States of America

39 Oklahoma
Michelle and I had heard good things about Oklahoma City. Urban whitewater. Public art. Great food. All true (I'm now obsessed with the onion burger), btw. So, when we got an opportunity to go paddle, raft, and research for an article I am writing, we couldn't say "no." The wind was sweeping down the plains," as Hammerstein wrote, and after first deciding that Lake Hefner was too windy, we were second guessing our decision to head Lake Overholser. But once we got there and decided go head under the Route 66 bridge (yes, THAT Route 66) to the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge, everything changed. We were protected from the wind, met some nice local paddlers, bathed in mud (lol), and saw an epic sunset. We capped it all off with a steak at Cattleman's, because when in OKC.
Part of the fun of paddling every state is finding a sticker for our boards, and I really love this one from Tree and Leaf, because it was friendly locals who made our paddle so awesome.
I was able to write about Oklahoma City for Orbitz and Telegraph Travel.
Oklahoma City Oklahoma, United States of America

40 North Dakota
This is my 40th state to paddle and 48th state to visit. For years I had been hearing about the Red River, and as I started to research where to go, I read about the revitalization that Fargo has had, in part due to Microsoft's expansion there. The Red River runs through Fargo (and neighboring city Moorhead, Minnesota), flowing north, btw, so Michelle and I said "You betcha!" like a local.
We launched from a public launch that has an accessible ramp, making it possible for those who are in wheelchairs to get from wheelchair to kayak and back, that was pretty cool.
We paddled upstream, passing deer, a red tailed hawk, turtles and golfers, turned around and paddled back, all at the hottest part of the day, which wasn't oppressively hot because we're not in the south in the summer.
Red River Trail North Dakota, United States of America

41 South Dakota
Part of the goal of the 50-state paddle (other than to get cool stickers for the board) is to show that there is somewhere awesome to paddle everywhere. The prairie paddle in South Dakota's glacial lakes is a great example of the different kinds of watersheds that are paddle-able and worthwhile. There are tons of small lakes, formed by receding glaciers more than 20,000 years ago, in northeastern South Dakota, a state people don't think of as having great waterways. I did a lot of research in advance about which one would be best, looking for an undeveloped lake with an access point and lots of waterfowl. I had decided on Mud Lake or One Road Lake, but when we stopped for maps, Ron at the visitors center recommended Kettle/Cattail instead, thinking that the access point at Mud Lake would, indeed, be too muddy. It wasn't part of the Northeast Glacial Lakes Kayak and Canoe Trails, so I wasn't sure, but it was across from Fort Sisseton State Park, so we decided to try it and it was perfect. Lots of "variable" winds, so a workout in some directions.
The algae in the lake make it look like we were paddling on top of a football field or expanse of green velvet (see last photo). We had the lake to ourselves, save for the American white pelicans, egrets, seagulls, other water fowl (possibly a golden eagle? see circle in photo), frogs and chipmunks.
Bonus factoid: There were more corn husks and corn silks in the parking lot here than anywhere I've paddled. As was the case with the red crescent moon that shone above this weekend, the photos don't do it justice.
Eden South Dakota, United States of America

24 Pennsylvania
Promised Land State Park
According to Native-Land.ca, this is Munsee Lenape land.
Greentown Pennsylvania, United States of America

42 South Carolina
The point of the 50-state paddle is to show that everywhere is awesome and everywhere has paddleable water. So I hesitate to say that some are “favorites.” But this was a really good day. I've been in, SC all week and this is a great city that values the outdoors and walkability. The downtown is vibrant 20 hours a day and night, and is designed for residents, not just tourists. But I digress. It is an easy drive to the Chattooga River from Greenville, where we whitewater rafted Section IV with Wildwater Ltd. It is a Wild and Scenic River, so you don't hear road noise or see boats from other outfitters. There's something about the river that makes you be able to see and appreciate the rapids instead of just focus-scream-flatwater-repeat. I was engaged in a way I don't remember in the past.
Then we headed over to Lake Jocasse to SUP state number 42. As you can see from the photos, it was beautiful and sunny all around, but raining wherever we were paddling, but it didn’t matter. They call this view of the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment the "Blue Wall" for obvious reasons. The take was created by Duke Energy and is inside what is now Devil’s Fork State Park, and has very little development on its shores.
I had my own board in my trunk, but the folks at Invert loaned us boards. I've wanted to paddle their boards for years. They make them using environmentally friendly resins and are started to make boards from the foam of busted old boards (ordering one soon, Matt). And their workspace in Hampton Station is beyond. And then these warm marcona almonds post-paddle at Foxcroft Wine Shop, which is a wine shop/restaurant, so they charge retail prices for restaurant wine. So, state 42, South Carolina is in the books and I love #yeahthatgreenville.
Lake Jocassee Dam Road South Carolina, United States of America

43 Massachusetts
I spent a lot of time in Boston when I was in college (despite going to college in Nashville and New York; yes, it involved a boy). So, if you had told me at age 21 that I would come back to Cambridge decades later to paddle the Charles River past the Harvard University campus, I would have told you that were crazy. I would have also said, "Not everything in the world revolves around Harvard!" Like many things in life, it was better as a grown-up.
Originally, I wanted to paddle closer to Boston with some skyline views, but the Blue-Green algae levels in the water meant that was not a great option, according to our friends at Paddle Boston. (And provided a handy reminder that no matter where we paddle, keeping pollutants out of the water is essential for recreation and health.) And, we got to get out of the way of the rowers, for the quintessential Charles River experience.
1071 Soldiers Field Road Massachusetts, United States of America

44 Rhode Island
State No. 44 started at Blackstone River State Park, which is also the site of the Captain Wilbur Kelly House Transportation Museum, meaning another National Park stamp for the passport.
We paddled down the river, where deer jumped in the water in front of us, portaged across the bike path and then paddled up the canal. They were not lying when they said: "Be prepared for a 'wet portage'. Rubber soled [sic] shoes that can get wet are a must for any paddling trip on the Blackstone River. Getting in and out of your boat in water and mud is part of every trip." The points of the 50-state paddle (if there are any other than racking up Southwest Rapid Rewards), is to demonstrate that "everywhere is awesome" and that you can paddle everywhere. So, I try not to have favorites, but was one of one them. It was like two paddles in one.
Lincoln Rhode Island, United States of America

45 Colorado
The farther I get into paddling 50 states the more I care about picking the right spot. If it is a state where I have been before I want to learn something new or revisit somewhere of personal meaning. Plus, I want the spot to be naturally beautiful or iconic in some way. Part of the point is to show that everywhere is awesome. But also to show that not everywhere is exactly the same. In the beginning, before SUP caught on, I was trying to show you don’t need a white-sand beach to SUP (not that there is anything wrong with a white-sand beach). But now, I’m trying to do more.
All of that got in my head as I planned to paddle Colorado. I went to summer camp here (on Mount Evans) as a kid and went to high school in Colorado Springs, waking up to Pikes Peaks and Garden of the Gods. I have a lot of favorite people in the state and had a lot of suggestions. I planned to paddle a lake you need to hike to that is one of my favorite places on Earth. But it was crazy crowded when I got there on Saturday and I just didn’t want to deal with carrying the board with all those people on a narrow path. So I went to a different place in the mountains and paddled. I don’t want to name it because
the point is to say everywhere is awesome... I’ll just say, it wasn’t for me. It was crowded and there was tons of boat traffic and the wind was off the charts. I also wasn’t feeling amazing, which 20 hours later I figured out might be altitude sickness when I was at the highest altitude b&b in the country (not yet fact-checked).
So, I decided I wasn’t going to count it. If it isn’t fun, why do it? Instead, I drove up Pikes Peak. The park ranger told me he liked North Catamount Reservoir better than South, so that’s where I went. The trout were jumping and the views were rid. Red rocks and pine trees and wildflowers and sagebrush and crystal-clear water and talk of Bigfoot, but no sighting. It is 9,200 ft. in elevation (higher than the 9,000 of the other paddle) and I felt amazing. Plus, the park gift shop had the best selection of stickers for my board I have ever seen. Sometimes it is hard to find even one, and there were seven I loved. AND, I got an excuse to wear my Colorado flag leggings for a second paddle.
I have so many memories of this mountain and I’m beyond grateful to add this one to the list.
According to Native-Land.ca, this is Sauk and Meskwaki and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ land.
Pikes Peak Colorado, United States of America

46 New Mexico
This was a hard one. I had been to the state several times, and had been thwarted by wind, weather, circumstance, and more wind.
I plotted my return carefully, deciding to stay at Ghost Ranch, the educational center and arts community that happens to be 15 minutes from Abiquiu Lake. Finally, the week was here…and I got a midnight message that Abiquiu Lake had been closed for blue-green algae. I've run into algae (and red tide) other places in the last year, and it is yet another reason we need to pay attention to runoff and climate change.
I went into full research mode, talking to many outfitters in the state, tourism professionals, even the sister of a friend, looking for alternatives.
I was beginning to think New Mexico was my white whale. I loved being disconnected at Ghost Ranch even if I couldn’t paddle (or swim).
Finally, I was up before dawn and drove to Albuquerque, watching the sun rise on my drive, to meet MST Adventures to paddle a section of the Rio Grande. The river winds its way through public and private land, Russian olive trees glistening sliver in the wind. We saw roadrunners, evidence of beaver, cormorant, and I heard tale of porcupines sleeping in the crooks of trees. We talked so much we missed our half-way stop break and basically forgot to take pictures. I learned about reading the river, monsoons, and much, much more, all while gazing up at Sandia Peak. Eight miles and some years later: State 46 completed.
According to Native-Land.ca, this is Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) and Myaamia land.
Rio Grande Boulevard Southwest New Mexico, United States of America

47 Michigan
When Nashville Paddle Co. was just getting started, a visitor rented a board because he was training for OABI, a race that circled Once Around Belle Isle, an island in the Detroit River. He sold me on how awesome this race was, that you got to see the Detroit skyline, the Windsor, Canada skyline, all sorts of wildlife, paddle through different conditions, and that Belle Isle is an epic park. (Brian, if you’re out there, thank you!)
There is no shortage of places to paddle in Michigan, of course, and some, like Torch Lake and Pictured Rock National Lakeshore, that are supposed to be beautiful and I considered those as I planned my paddle, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Detroit. As a kid, I fell asleep at night listening to the soundtrack to Disney’s “The Happiest Millionaire” on vinyl, and Detroit is important plot point and song in the movie, so OABI it was.
I had read that the side closer to Canada was the more difficult paddle…and, yes, those conditions were challenging; lots of wind and chop from barge traffic. It was one of those paddles where it seemed like I was paddling into the wind in all 4 directions. The first 5 miles of this paddle took me about 2.5 hours; the last 2 miles took about 35 minutes.
I have exciting plans with friends and family for the last three states, but I realized driving to Detroit that this would be my last solo paddle of the 50, and that was bittersweet. This project helped me become a more confident solo paddler (relax: I had safety gear, including a traditional PFD and two different friends were able to track my location in real-time, and the good thing about a paddle around an island, is you are always close to shore). To keep myself focused and going in the middle, I sang the song “Detroit” from “The Happiest Millionaire” to myself, and I’m a terrible singer, so it truly is a good thing I was alone.
Belle Isle Park is something else. It is an old-school idea of a park. Like downtown Detroit, with its wide boulevards and amazing sculpture and architecture, Belle Isle Park feels like a movie set for a park, with fountains and beaches and museums and conservatories and lighthouses and, again, amazing sculpture and architecture.
This is the paddle where I felt like I might actually finish this project. As John Davidson sings in “The Happiest Millionaire,” “I’d make all my dreams realities in Detroit.”
Belle Isle Michigan, United States of America

48 Arizona
From almost the beginning of this idea, I was determined to Lake Powell in Arizona (Fun fact: Lake Powell is the second-largest reservoir in the U.S.), as I had seen pictures of paddlers back in the slot canyons. Seeing the way the Colorado River carved through sandstone was too compelling to skip. So, when my business partner at Nashville Paddle Co. was going to be in Sedona leading yoga training, the time was right. The owners of Lake Powell Paddleboards already have paddled all 50 states, and they set us up with boards (and loaded them on the rental car in a manner that made us feel right home). It was a paddle unlike any others, and having great photographers along for the paddle didn’t hurt. No photos exist of the very windy return paddle. This was the last of the lower 48.
According to Native-Land.ca, this is Hopi, Diné, Southern Paiute, Pueblos, and Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) land.
Lower Antelope Canyon Exit Arizona, United States of America

49 Hawai'i
I’ve been having some medical issues the past few months and wasn’t certain I’d be able to go on a planned trip to Hawai’i, much less be able to standup paddle. Mahalo to my ohana who helped me find a spot on the Anahulu River and made it happen. State No. 49 on New Year’s Eve Day (is that what all the fireworks were for?)! We paddled from a mountain view to a beach view with more sea turtles than I have ever seen, popping their heads up alongside our boards, swimming under our fins, and soaking in the sun on the banks. It wasn’t the Hawaiian paddle I expected, and maybe not the iconic one you picture, but it continues to prove the point that you can see things you don’t expect when you paddle in unexpected places. And, I have a good excuse to come back and paddle again. Next up? Getting healthy enough to be able to haul gear and paddle State No. 50 this summer.
Haleiwa, Hawaii

50 Alaska
[caption id="attachment_3280" align="alignnone" width="300"] 50th State Paddle[/caption]
Homer Alaska, United States of America