Chad Cadwell

My Name is Chad Cadwell and I am the owner and operator of Missouri River Expeditions LLC and EartH2O Adventure Outfitters. My family has been operating commercially on the Missouri River for generations and I found myself naturally suited for the seasonal lifestyle. Over the past 6 years I have been blessed with the opportunity to guide thousands of people down the mighty Missouri river and in the winter paddling, sailing, and surfing the warm waters of the Caribbean. I am confident that I am on this planet for 2 reasons; education and entertainment. A good friend once told me that if you can educate yourself while being entertained, you are living well. This business/lifestyle has offered me the ability to facilitate education and entertainment for others on beautiful sand beaches all around this continent and it's freckles while educating and entertaining myself. I love guiding as it is my venue to promote and foster stewardship of this beautiful planet on which we live. For this reason, along with many others, I plan on guiding adventure travel expeditions the remainder of my days. I paddled my first kayak at summer camp when I was 12 years old. It wasn't anything like the beautiful boats we use today. Now, I am in the process of becoming an ACA certified kayaking instructor. I graduated in May of 2002 from the University of South Dakota where I majored in recreation. I completed my internship at a water sports outfitter called Wind and Surfing Adventures in St. John, US Virgin Islands under seasoned waterman Richard Metcalfe. I also attended classes at the University of the Virgin Islands at St. Thomas where I received an emphasis in Hotel and Restaurant Management. My hobbies include kayaking, climbing, biking, hunting, fishing, surfing, windsurfing, and sailing. When I am not on the river, I work seasonal jobs like bartending at Carey's Bar in Vermillion, framing houses, and driving a tractor during corn and bean harvest. Since attending school in the Virgin Islands in 2000-2001 I have spent each winter hiding from the South Dakota's frigid temperatures in the warm Caribbean sunshine. I now offer custom travel packages in the US and British Isles. These trips include but are not limited to kayaking, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, and rock climbing trips customized for your personal schedule, taste, budget, and skill level. Come out and play with me.

One God, one world, one paddle, one love---CCC

Louie

My name is Louie. I grew up on the Missouri River with my dad, Chad Cadwell. I turned 3 years old in November and I am now old enough to go with Chad on expeditions. I finally got over chasing the geese on the sand bar and I am starting to realize that I have to sit still in the kayak because I weigh 90 pounds and if I jump out, Dad follows against his will. I am a good guide dog, I will keep all critters out of camp as well as babysit children. When I am not guiding I enjoy hunting, chasing cats, and hitting on the 2 year old Huskie down the block. I really like people and I hope to see you on the river.

Steve Feimer

Steve Feimer grew up paddling on the Missouri River. A native of South Dakota, Dr. Feimer now teaches environmental law and policy at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Steve has 14 years of canoe and kayak paddling experience in a variety of locations including Lake Superior, Gulf of Mexico, Puget Sound, Johnston Strait and the Florida Keys. In addition to guiding kayak trips, Steve is also an avid climber, cyclist, and a trained gourmet chef.

Susie Tschetter

Hi, my name is Susie Tschetter. I am a farmer's wife, mother of three and I have always been a big fan being in, on, near, or around the water. I took my first trip with Missouri River Expeditions four years ago, and fell in love with kayaking. Up until that point, I had previous canoe experience, but never really enjoyed the paddling experience until I tried a kayak. This summer the moon, stars, planets, and most importantly my family's schedules have all aligned and allowed me time to help cook for and guide trips for Chad and MRE.
I am a certified dental assistant working in an orthodontic office. I have been on the board of the Outdoorwomen of South Dakota since March of 1998, and served the last three years as their president. I will retain my seat on the board as current past president for two more years. I am a Dutch oven cooking, and a turkey hunting instructor at our state's Becoming An Outdoorswoman Workshop. I am an NRA certified shotgun instructor. I am an 81 hour EMT. I hold a black belt degree in TaeKwonDo. I speak a limited amount of Russian, a little more Spanish and can communicate fairly effectively (albeit slowly J) in American Sign Language. I enjoy birding, hiking, biking and camping in my few spare moments!
I know that many women have work and home schedules that would compare with and even exceed my hours. I like to compare my life to a pitcher of water. As I see my responsibilities, they include "pouring" a little of who I am into many different people or activities. Each day brings people or activities that need my attention or water. A little for my husband, a little for my children, a little at work, a little at the school, a little at church, a little for my parents. Before I know it, my own pitcher can be emptied, leaving me nothing to give to others. Being on the river refills my cup so to speak. It re-energizes, relaxes and rejuvenates me so that I can go on giving to those people and events closest and most important to me. Book a trip with MRE today. No cooking, washing dishes, cell phones. No deadlines to meet or appointments to keep - just floating down the river with your friends! One of the best gifts you can give your family is a happy, healthy, relaxed mom!
Y ours in the Outdoors, Susie

Matt Perkins

My name is Matt Perkins. I have been a river rat for 24 years and have been guiding for Missouri River Expeditions LLC for the past 4. It is my life and my job to understand the Missouri River and how to enjoy it safely. I have been living on the river for the past 4 years giving me the opportunity to become familiar with the rivers every dimension. I have also assisted in many biological surveys pertaining to Mussels of the Missouri and its tributaries. I am a 24-year-old grad student finishing up a Masters in Public Accounting at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. My grasp of Missouri river knowledge is as comprehensive and diverse as any 24 year old alive today. As an expedition leader, my expertise mainly relates to interpreting the river as it is today biologically and politically. I Also have a broad understanding of The Lewis & Clark expedition as well as the steamboat era. All of my life I've had the privilege of enjoying the Missouri River in multiple ways, yet none more enjoyable than the time I've spent guiding kayak trips on the Missouri.

Tony Kellar

Tony Kellar has guided and chef'd for Missouri River Expeditions for the last few years. His favorite stretch of the Missouri River is in South Dakota; between Fort Randall Dam and Vermillion.
"The scenery is just amazing! I think it's the best large-river kayaking offered in this whole part of the country. People who go out on those trips come back absolutely flabbergasted at this resource they never even knew they had! They come back with a whole new understanding and appreciation of this part of the country."
He took a hiatus last year to work for Alaska Discovery; a guide service in Juneau, AK. "Alaska has been a long time dream, now a dream-come true. The glaciers and whales and bears and sea lions.aagh! It was beyond description! Paddling in Glacier Bay changed my life! Lots of livin' and dying' going on. The air's like a multi-vitamin that you breathe and you can feel it working in your blood!"
Tony is glad to be back home and will be guiding part-time for MRE this summer, while promoting the release of his second book, "[i]Zen and the Art of Kayaking[/i]". In 2004 his first book, "[i]Camping and Cooking With the Bare Essentials[/i]" was published and he says he knew right away that he was hooked on writing.
"Living in a kayak and a tent is so conducive to writing. There are just so many experiences out here that are so rich.it doesn't get any better."
He looks forward to returning to MRE."for the river of course, this is central North Americas Crown Jewel. But also the guests; the staff. what a great group, like brothers and sisters to me. I am so blessed to have the life I do. It's the [i]world's best[/i] way to not quite make a living!"

Lynnae Volzke

I have kayaked with MRE for the last five summers. I love kayaking, and the minute I get off the water I can't wait for the next trip to start. I love to experience nature first hand the way you can when you're out on the water and while camping. There is nothing I'd rather be doing than kayaking.

This summer I hope to be on the Missouri quite often. If I'm not on the River, you can find me in my home town of Aberdeen either life guarding or working at the Dental Lab. Currently I am attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale and studying Dental Lab Technology. While attending SIU, I was able to try a different breed of kayaking- whitewater. Here I am a member of Team SICK (Southern Illinois Canoe & Kayak). We meet twice a week at an indoor pool on campus and practice rolls, and boating tricks. We also plan many weekend trips. Some of the rivers we have gone to are the St. Francis River in Missouri, the Nantahala River in North Carolina, and even the Tallulah Gorge in Georgia. Now, I did not paddle the Tallulah, but if you come to MRE go ahead and ask me about that trip.

I hope to see you on the river!

-Lynnae

(Certifications: 1st aid, CPR, Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Instructor, AED.)

Jon Parsons

My name is Jon Parsons, and I have been kayaking for the last six years with Missouri River Expeditions. I am 20 years old and am attending the University of Sioux Falls, studying, Business and Exercise Science. When I am not on the water I can be found playing football, lifting weights and working. I have been an outdoorsman my whole life and love everything that the Missouri river has to offer. I am looking forward to the coming year because it is going to be the best one yet! I hope to see you all out there.

Sarah Stamp

I am a native South Dakotan-I grew up in Huron, and went onto college at the University of South Dakota. I confess that I, too, was one of the many who had to leave and return to see the beauty in this area. Several countries and many states later, I can confirm that the beauty that lies in this region of South Dakota and Nebraska is worth returning season after season.
I have been here at MRE with Chad for two seasons, full of excitement and adventure. When I am not here with the wonder crew I generally travel for adventure and exploration, but this year was spent in New Orleans with the American Red Cross. The relief efforts of the Orleans Project have been incredible and I have learned so much about everything--namely, life. I have been, at the time of writing this, here in Lousiana for 3 months and have no plans to leave until the recovery effort no longer requires my energy (or until the ice melts in Dakota).

RJ Fitzsimons

RJ Fitzsimons is originally from New Jersey. He has a bachelors degree in fine arts from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green Kentucky, and a Maters degree in Fine Arts from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. He has been with MRE for three seasons now, filling the role of "Mr. Fixit." Before coming to MRE he spent several summers working and kayaking in Maine. Rj has been on the water all his life from sailing in New Jersey to canoeing and Kayaking all over the south east as a boy scout. His true love is the great outdoors, but teaching technical theatre at Augustana College in Sioux Falls is his lively hood!

Robin Morgan

Hello my name is Robin Morgan.
I am a full blooded Lakota from Rosebud SD. I am a senior at the University of South Dakota studying history with a minor in Lakota studies. I spent four years in the navy before going to college. During that time I was on my ship's water rescue team so I am very comfortable in and on the water. When Luta Pehin (Chad) asked me to come help him with MRE it intrested me. I started out telling native stories that Grandma taught me. The next thing I knew I was in Montana paddling sixteen miles by myself trying to catch up.
So that is how I got started at MRE.
Osage

Whitney Feimer

Hey! My name is Whitney Feimer. I am part of the Junior Guiding Program. I have been kayaking for two years with Missouri river ExpeditionsLLC, and my dad, Steve. I'm 13 years old and I enjoy rock climbing, cycling, volleyball, hanging out with friends and working out in my spare time. I go o Vermillion Middle School and will be in the 8th grade. I love kayaking with Missouri River Expeditions, because although I am a guide, I still learn about the tales, land, and animals that lived here. Hope to see you paddling soon.
Later, Whit

Matty Heard

Hi I am Matty Heard. I grew up on the river in Pierre, SD and have enjoyed all that it has to offer. I am a nursing home administrator by trade, but spend as much time outside as possible when I am not being a suit. I recently moved back to Vermillion and am looking forward to another season (my fourth) on the river with MRE. In my college days, I spent the summers working for the SD Department of Game Fish and Parks in the Wildlife Division doing fisheries research, and I will bring my fisheries knowledge to this summer's tours. I have my roots in Pierre, but personally believe that our route is one of the most beautiful stretches of river you can possibly paddle. There is no better way to spend a summer night than around a campfire on a sandbar island with friends and family surrounded by the Missouri River. I look forward to seeing old friends and new faces this summer!

Bryan Hopkins

Bryan Hopkins is an avid paddler who spends most of his "wet" time on the lower Missouri River. He is a self admitted "boat geek" and when not talking about paddling, he can be found building his own touring kayaks or planning the next river trip. His wife claims that he collects boats like some folks collect shoes and his kids think its normal to spend most of their summers on a sandbar somewhere. His six year old son Tomas has his own skin-on-frame kayak and paddles like a pro.
Bryan has a extensive knowledge of the lower Missouri River in terms of its history, cultural and biological aspects and earns boat gear money by working for a resource agency coordinating...suprise, suprise...river education programs! Bryan considers the lower Missouri River to be an amazing natural resource that is completely under utilized. He is working avidly on developing a comprehensive paddlers trail on the lower Missouri River and would like to eventually see a paddlers trail established on the entire river.

Tim Cowman

Tim Cowman is a native South Dakotan. He has a Master of Natural Science degree from the University of South Dakota. Tim works for the South Dakota Geological Survey and also teaches in the University of South Dakota Earth Science Department. Tim and his family are avid kayakers on the Missouri River and enjoy stopping along the islands and wooded banks for excursions into the wilderness surrounding the river. As a geologist, Tim has done a lot of research on the geomorphology and natural history of the river - dating all the way back to the ice ages! In addition to kayaking, Tim enjoys biking and long distance running.