Jon's 4th Ohio River Adventure May 10- 17

That's me, in Ashland KY last year, 2nd from left. 

This is my favorite canoe adventure, going 488 miles over 23 days, promoting the Ohio River for greater kayak/canoe recreation. We also inspire river conservation efforts and boost tourism to small but vibrant Ohio River towns. 

I will visit Huntington, Ironton, Portsmouth, Maysville, and Augusta. After a day of paddling, a rivertown hosts us for dinner and we camp out on the shore.  We get private tours of the Rosemary Clooney house in Augusta, and later a homemade dinner inside the Volunteer Fire Dept of Vevay, Indiana! 

This link is a short video from last summer's trip!!

This year is the most ambitious route yet! The 30-foot voyager canoes start in Huntington, WV, and slowly paddle down to Evansville, Indiana. Paddlers can join for one or more of the trip’s three week-long segments. I am doing the first of the three segments, which goes from Huntington WV to Cincinnati. 

This fundraiser helps support the trip, including a "Floating Lab" (houseboat) that serves as an interdisciplinary research hub for college interns that conduct biodiversity surveys on river islands/shores, water testing, and GIS mapping. Funds also support the Ohio River Way, a non-profit dedicated to promoting the natural, cultural, and historical assets of the Ohio River.

Each day, paddlers meet with local TV and other media in river towns, changing the perceptions of the river so we can see more recreation, tourism, and community development. The Ohio River Way is the non-profit that organizes this event.  Big news - the Ohio River Way persuaded Congress to officially designate our river as a National Water Trail by the U.S. Department of the Interior in June 2025! This year the National Park Service is sending a documentary filmmaker on the entire expedition!

If you think this event sounds cool, I would be grateful for your help in reaching my goal!  A donation to Ohio River Way of $15  or any amount is appreciated!