Gals to the Gulf

Animosa  A Gear and Sponorship Review: Go With Your Flow  By: Grace Heneghan Who is Animosa? An Oregon based and all women founded and lead organization, Animosa has a simple goal--make amazing gear for adventurous women. They provide gear for the Backcountry, Frontcountry, and everywhere in between that enables women to go out and do the incredible. Their first product, Go With Your Flow is out and they are on their way to creating more gear to equip women in the outdoors. What's Go With Your Flow? A waste-bin free menstrual pack designed for adventurous folks. Each pack includes: pockets, wipes, and disposable bags to ensure easy and mess free storage and usage. It's perfect for traveling, camping, and especially, canoeing down the Mississippi. The pack comes in two sizes: the Mini and the Clutch. The Gals have two Clutches and we love the space and volume it provides. Check out their page for more info and shopping details! Go With Your Flow Why do we lo...

           As gals headed towards the gulf, we are constantly doing. We are paddling; we are layering ourselves in sweaters, fleeces, scarves, and hats; we are packing our belongings into two canoes; we are cookin up noodles with our favorite pesto sauce; we are cuddled like 4 peas in a pod that looks remarkably like a MSR Elixir 4; and we are journaling just after sunset with heavy eyelids and rosy, wind-burned cheeks. We constantly do . . . but in the past 18 days these tasks have become more routine. They are engrained in our minds, hearts, and even our dreams after we've fallen asleep. Lately, we are beginning to let ourselves "just be" amidst these routines.            I think letting ourselves be is one of the toughest things to do in our lives that exist outside of this expedition. Honestly, it's one of the river's gifts to us. It looks like tucking my matted hair under my hat and knowing I'll keep it that way for a...

It's Mandy here, writing on behalf of the Gals on Day 9 while the river's waves ask that we all rest cozily in our new tent today. We've paddled 141 miles so far. We started our expedition in Crow Wing River State Park near Brainerd on Friday the 13th, a day that is associated with many misconceptions and superstitions. We chose it as a way to reclaim the power of women. Because there are 13 moons in a year (moons=menses), the number has been linked to goddesses. Friday literally means "Day of Venus" the Roman goddess. (Also "venus" can be loosely translated to "grace" ...and we are never Graceless with Heneghan and Werner).  So contrary to what some believe, Friday the 13th is actually lucky and we are truly basking in all the blessings from our week. Day 1 brought a beautiful view of Aurora Borealis, its dancing green lights to compete with our first group campfire. By Day 4, we already met 5 River Angels, mere strangers who just w...

Hey Gals Fans! This first installment from the river comes from Siri: The beginning of any trip is always defined by what's new. It is a time to learn. Learn about the people you're traveling with, about the route you're  traversing, how to use new gear, manage new risks, and get used to new routines. This trip has been no different in that respect. Our first week has been spent getting to know one another, our River, how to travel it, and how to work together. What has been completely new to me, and to us, is the terrain we're living in and paddling through. Never have I paddled or hiked in a place so urban. The northern reaches of the Mississippi remain relatively wild- dotted with campsites- perfect for paddling.  The farther we went, the more this changed. Paddling through Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud, and the many small towns that border the river, it has been easy to see peoples'  relationship with the mighty waterway. Most places seem to turn their ...