Inspired by Mark Twain, retired teacher travels the Mississippi River on a homemade raft
Charles "Chip" Philips, a retired English teacher from New Jersey, talks Friday, July 24 about his journey down the Mississippi River. “Every town has its own sort of personality,” he said. “And the people we have met have been fantastic.” (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Charles “Chip” Phillips, a retired, 64-year-old English teacher from New Jersey, built most of his raft out of salvaged parts and has spent more than a month-and-a-half taking it down the Mississippi River.
He began his journey in Hannibal, Missouri, on June 6, and arrived in Memphis in mid-July, after traveling 500 miles on the river without ever exceeding 6 mph.
When he leaves Memphis in the next few days, he plans to go about 400 more miles before finally concluding his expedition and returning home in late August.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Memphis Mississippi River raft boat Mud Island Adventure Subscriber Only Chip PhillipsThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
Did you know we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization? We rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and other earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉🏽 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉🏽 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
John Klyce
John Klyce is an enterprise reporter with The Daily Memphian who writes a wide range of in-depth features, as well as profiles about local leaders, scientists, musicians, artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone else doing exciting and important work in this city. He previously spent four years with the Memphis Business Journal, where he covered public companies, startups, and innovation, and a fifth year with The Commercial Appeal, where he covered education, and chronicled how gun violence and poverty were affecting Memphis youth and their families. He has also been a fellow with the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. John has a B.A. in journalism from the University of Memphis and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Boston University.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories? If you’re a subscriber, scroll down to the comments. If you’re not a subscriber, only paid subscribers can add their thoughts, so subscribe now. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.