This summer, around August 20, 2001, I will be departing from Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota, at the starting point of the Mississippi River, my destination being the mouth of the river near New Orleans if all goes as planned. This journey will be both difficult and dangerous but, at the same time, a journey of great self-exploration. I have chosen to dedicate my trip to raising awareness and money for the American Diabetes Association. This 2,340 mile trip will be the trip of a lifetime. Unfortunately, for many with diabetes, a trip such as this would be impossible due to medical and logistical reasons. I come to you on behalf of our 16 million fellow Americans who deal with diabetes every day. More than 180,000 Americans die from diabetes each year and millions more suffer amputations, heart or kidney disease, blindness, and many of the other life-threatening complications. The American Diabetes Association is committed to raising money for research for a cure for diabetes, and I am committed to helping them fulfill their mission. If you would like to support this effort, I encourage you to send a donation to:

American Diabetes Assn.
1701 N. Beauregard St.
Alexandria, VA 22311

Please write "In honor of Joseph Bowman" on your check. If you wish to receive updates of my progress, send me your e-mail address or check this site periodically.
Thanks,
Joseph Bowman
jodyontheriver@hotmail.com

8/18/01  Dad and I left Tennessee for Minnesota.

8/20/01  I began my journey near Lake Itasca. (jodyontheriver.freeservers.com) to this site.

12/07/01   Journey over! Keep checking site for a while as more pictures will be added!

Mom's Corner
November 10, 2002

Raising money for diabetes research is still a priority in our family. There are small things we can do in our everyday lives that can make a difference. For example, instead of sending flowers when someone dies, I am making a donation in that person's memory to the American Diabetes Association. I include a note that tells who the donation is memorializing and the name and address of the person who should receive the acknowledgement. I also write "for research" on the check. The address for the American Diabetes Association is on this page in Jody's mission statement. Also, I am buying several Christmas presents this year from TAH Handcrafted Jewelry. They have a line of diabetes awareness jewelry and will donate ten percent of sale price to the American Diabetes Association. The address is tah-handcrafted-jewelry.com. I have added their link on Favorite Links page. There are a couple of other places one can find to purchase gifts. The American Diabetes Association has an on-line store, and one hundred percent of the profits from these items go to diabetes research. I found a darling candle holder with three angels cut out of it and the word HOPE. It was only 10.99. I may buy a few of those. If you think these are good ideas, tell other people. If you have other ideas, please let me know, and I will pass the word.

Joe had his quarterly physical this month and got a good report. The doctor is pleased that, after seventeen years with the disease, he is in pretty good shape, AND he had lost weight!

Jody has been working hard. He is doing just fine. It was a year ago this weekend that I visited with Josh and him in Memphis. We receive an occasional letter from Josh and Tilo. They are okay as far as I know.
The site is still getting over a hundred hits a month, so I will continue to give occasional updates.
Claudia (Mom)

NEW UPDATE! July 20, 2007

It's been several years since Jody's trip.  He is well, living and working in Tampa, Florida.  He still loves the water, has bought a kayak, and fishes most days of the week.  Since being there, he has been on a kayaking trip in the Everglades and most recently, a backwater canoe trip from northern Minnesota into Canada.

The site has been receiving a lot of attention recently, so I thought I would give a little updated info.  Maybe, I will even change out some of the photos!  Also, I was having trouble receiving email through this site, but I've worked on it today, and I think it is working now! 

Claudia (Mom)