He Said He’s Always Wanted to Float Down the River

Graham is setting off on a 100-mile row down the Neuse River.

Last year for his 80th birthday Graham sailed around the Pamlico Sound fund raising for Rock Steady Boxing, a fitness program designed to counter the effects of Parkinson’s Disease. You can read that trip report here. It was a great success and this year he’s at it again with something a bit different. Below is a clip of some news coverage from his trip last year.

So what adventure are you off to this year Graham? Well he said he’s always wanted to float down the river like Huckleberry Finn so a river cruise is the plan. That’ll mean rowing not sailing for most of the journey! He will put in on the Neuse River in Goldsboro and row back to New Bern a distance of just over 100 miles.

Lower Neuse River, a section of the Mountain to Sea Trail.

Zooming out you can see his start point at the red arrow below. Any further north and the river gets a bit too “interesting” with the current river level which is quite low.

Starting at the red arrow. B&B workshop circled in red.

We’ll be tracking him with a spot tracker and you can read all about it and follow along at sailingforparkinsons.org where you’ll find links and his photo album and if you are able, consider contributing to help keep this non-profit program that has helped him so much to keep his Parkinson’s in check. link to gofundme.

The Rock Steady Boxing program has played a tremendous role in helping Graham maintain his ability and continue going on adventures like this one. He never misses a session 3 days a week. Rock Steady Boxing is a non-contact, beneficial fitness class for people with Parkinson’s Disease that helps with mobility, coordination, flexibility, and voice projection in an upbeat, positive atmosphere ...surrounded by energetic and fun coaches and volunteers.

Graham hopes that with this latest adventure he can raise funds to pass on to the New Bern chapter of Rock Steady support group which is part of the Michael J Fox Parkinson’s foundation. Parkinson’s has been around for a long time and the rate of new diagnoses is ever increasing. There is no cure and there have been no real breakthroughs in fifty years, just treating the symptoms. Specialized and regular hard exercise is about the best there is right now to slow the progression.

“You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a Core Sound 17 Mark 3”
-Graham (Huckleberry) Byrnes

Naturally his trusty Core Sound 17 Mark 3 ‘Carlita’ is the raft of choice complete with sleeping quarters, kitchen and . Below, Graham has fitted a large shade over the cockpit à la the African Queen to keep the sun off and with his masts raised up parallel he has full use of his flip up dodger as well.