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 June 27, 2008: Cutting the Ribbon: In front L-R: John Fewkes, John Ruskey, Helena Mayor James Valley, Betty Brimley, Tommy Hunt, Bertha Archer, Bernadette Messina & Tim Richardson (ALC); In background Mighty Quapaws, Wesley “Mississippi Junebug” Jefferson & Ellis Coleman  411 Ohio -- interior   Kayaks & Canoes for Rent ALL NEW GEAR  How do you get to the water? Strap on some wheels – five minute stroll to the harbor Walk your canoe (or kayak) down the levee! Its as easy as walking your dog! (PS: if you don’t want to walk we’ll shuttle you)  Mighty Quapaw Canoe & Kayak parade down historic Cherry Street  High Noon Friday, June 27th: Canoes & Kayaks take over downtown Helena  Mighty Quapaws at floodwall  Canoe & Kayak Rescue Workshop (American Queen in background)  Taking the canoes & kayaks on their maiden voyages In protected waters of the Helena Harbor  Ba-Ba and Kevin Smith lead the Ladybug Carry  Good omen: Our welcome to Buck Island: A mature Bald Eagle fiercely eyeballing us From his perch on a large driftwood root  Mighty Quapaws  www.305spin.com wizard John Moore & son Riley  1st Client: Bryan “Fox” Ellis (Author, actor, storyteller extraordinaire from Peoria, Illinois)  Bryan “Fox” Ellis paddling through submerged forests of Buck Island  Allison Campbell & Beth Weidower Paddling down the Middle Channel Buck Island *Canoe & Kayak Rentals *Paddling Demos *Canoe Rescue Workshop *Guided tours of Buck Island *Photos on display *Art-work & Literature *W all-sized maps and River Charts
That’s right: Quapaw Canoe Company Outpost Helena Where? 410 Cherry Street in downtown Helena, Arkansas --an easy walk over the levee from the river When? Doors Open Friday June 27, 2008 Why? Helena is the only city that actually sits on the main channel of the Mississippi River (in the 300 miles between Memphis & Vicksburg)It’s a natural! A safe harbor with 2 boat ramps, easy access at all river levels in all weather conditions. What? Rentals: Canoe Rentals, Kayak Rentals, Bicycle Rentals. Paddle out of the Helena Harbor one mile up to Buck Island. No channel crossing necessary. 1500 acres of sand, forests, inlets, harbors, shallows & back channels. What kinds of canoes & kayaks? We have ordered a pile of 2-man Canoes from Bell Canoe works, including the Alaskan and the Morning Star, and several Anglers (for you fishermen). For kayaks Kestrals & Crosswind tandems are on order from Current Designs. We support our canoe & kayak manufacturers in the Mississippi Valley! What does the shuttle involve? Its easy: rent one of our Heavy Duty Kayak Carts and walk your canoe or kayak over the levee to the put-in. The internal combustion engine is not required at Quapaw Outpost Helena! Of course, if you insist, we will shuttle you via truck & trailer for a nominal fee. Isn’t it dangerous? Of course it’s dangerous, it’s the Mississippi River Dude! Ability to self-rescue required. What if I don’t know how to self-rescue? If you don’t know how, you have 2 choices: 1) hire a guide or 2) enroll in one of our two-hour workshops on self-rescue technique. If you like paddling canoes or kayaks you need to learn self-rescue. This knowledge will “set you free” on any open big water from the Lower Mississippi to Lake Superior, from Buck Island to Kodiak Island. What if I want to camp out? We can outfit you for camping and provide shuttles. Overnight to Buck Island. 2 nights from Tunica Riverpark. 3 nights from Memphis. 5 nights downstream to Greenville. Follow the river, follow your heart. What about the bicycling? You can pedal from our outpost directly onto the levee and then follow the levee north to the beautiful St. Francis National Forest, where miles of dirt roads and the deep forests of Crowley’s Ridge await your exploration. Is Quapaw alone in this venture? Quapaw is partnering with the American Land Conservancy, Messina Realty, and the Boys & Girls Club of Helena to make this a success. Is Quapaw Canoe Company leaving Clarksdale? Of course not! Clarksdale is our home base, Helena is the outpost. We build canoes and train our apprentices and do all of our long-distance outfitting from Clarksdale. The Helena Outpost will focus on rentals and interpretive mural maps & information relating to the Mississippi River and its floodplain.  410 Cherry Street Quapaw Outpost Helena |
