Big Muddy Speaker Series

Presentation by  adventurer Amanda Hoenes, founder of True Path Adventures

Thursday, May 19, 2022

6. p.m. Social Hour at Paddle Stop Brewery
7:00 p.m. Presentation

At Paddle Stop Brewery. Food available from Lang-a-Tang Snack Shack
204 Front, New Haven, MO 63068
(directions below)

Presentation is FREE and open to the public! 

Hosted by Paddle Stop Brewery. 

Last year Amanda Hoenes paddled the Missouri, Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers from Three Forks, MT, to the Gulf of Mexico with her loyal pooch Hank. She’ll be sharing the stories of her river adventures with us!

Growing up in southwest Missouri, she joined the Marine Corps in January 2001 where she deployed three times to Iraq serving as a helicopter crew chief and aerial gunner on primarily casualty evacuation missions. Upon leaving the Marine Corps, she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Colorado State University and entered the workforce as an IT professional for ten years.

After mass layoffs, unsure of her next career move, she decided to buy an RV and hit the road exploring this great country. She spent time on the road planning for her next adventure, a 3,300 start to sea expedition, solo paddling from the beginning of the Missouri River in Three Forks, Montana to the Gulf of Mexico.

Adventurer Amanda Hoenes & her rescue dog Hank. Together they paddled the Missouri, Mississippi & Atchafalya Rivers from Three Forks, MT, to the Gulf of Mexico.

Inspired by Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Lewis and Clark, Jeremiah Johnson and the like, she began the river expedition hoping to push her limits and perspectives to new depths. After 175 paddle days, 187 calendar days, 3,300 miles, and 13 states, she completed her amazing expedition reaching the Gulf of Mexico from Montana paddling a canoe. She posted her adventures through her blog, A River Adventure. 

She has since started a wilderness-based adventure coaching program called True Path Adventures, developing and enhancing youth leadership, critical-thinking and decision-making skills through structured and guided outdoor adventures.

Directions to Paddle Stop Brewery

From the East (Washington, MO) –

• From Washington, head west on Hwy 100.
• After 10 miles, take a right onto Miller St. (just past the BP station).
• Head north on Miller St. Just after crossing the train tracks at the bottom of the hill (about a mile), take a right on Front St. and look for parking either east of the Brewery or across the street at the Lion’s Club pavilion.

From the West (Hermann, MO) – 

• From Hermann, head east on Hwy 100.
• After 15.6 miles, take a left onto Miller St. (right before the BP station).
• Head north on Miller St. Just after crossing the train tracks at the bottom of the hill (about a mile), take a right on Front St. and look for parking either east of the Brewery or across the street at the Lion’s Club pavilion.