A lunaresque scene on Island 78.
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
River outfitter and expert paddler John Ruskey.
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
One of Ruskey’s handmade canoes.
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
The author enjoys an evening sip.
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
Stew-bound vegetables at dinnertime.
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
The canoes awaiting adventure.
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
A crew of paddlers prepare to take out.
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
A makeshift dryer for water boots.
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
Fellow canoeists on break.
Photo: Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Part of the feast: mushrooms and cabbage.
Ben Gately Williams
Water boiling on the fire.
Ben Gately Williams
An evening fire for warmth.
Ben Gately Williams
Ruskey illuminates his dinner.
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Adventureers take on the Lower Mississippi.
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
Ben Gately Williams
A canoe ready for launch.
Ben Gately Williams
Ruskey of Ruskey’s Quapaw Canoe Company sits aboard one of his creations.
Ben Gately Williams