Spirits on the Croix – Past, Present and Future

On May 2nd, at 9:00 a.m., Jeff Butler will begin a solo, 168-mile sojourn down the St. Croix River from its beginning near Solon Springs, Wisconsin,  to where it meets the Mississippi at Prescott, Wisconsin. He is doing this as a spiritual journey in honor of his brother, Richard Leo “Dick” Butler.  The brothers had talked about this trip and Jeff hoped he would share a day on the river with his brother, but it was not to be. Dick died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 22nd, 2021.

Jeff says, “Dick or “RLeoB’ (as I liked to call him) fought a long, hard 6-year battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer. Many who knew him could not believe how hard he fought, how he kept that positive attitude of hope for a full remission during his battle. To me it came as no surprise, I knew he had what it took to fight to the very end. So brother Dick will be joining me on my paddle down the St. Croix,  going through every set of rapids while dodging and pointing out rocks ahead, enjoying campfires at some of my favorite campsites for every meal and starting each day with a cup of coffee.”

North Woods and Waters is grateful that Jeff will be also be using this trip to focus attention on North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area.

Jeff says, “The tag line for Northwoods and Waters is ‘Many Waters, Many Stories.’ I am hoping my trip will help focus attention on what North Woods and Waters is doing on behalf of the natural, cultural, and historic resources of this beautiful, 8,000 square mile watershed. We have many waters to explore and many stories to tell.“

And of course, as a quintessential storyteller, Jeff will share stories of his amazing trip through journaling and several planned meeting spots during and at the end of his journey.  (See map and itinerary.)

“The St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers with their countless streams and tributaries have stories to tell and lessons for all of us.  I’ll be journaling about these past and present stories and what they have to tell us about our future.”

Follow Jeff’s trip through this web page, meet him at one of the landings, and read updates Spirits on the Croix: Past, Present and Future through Greg Seitz blog, St. Croix 360.

Spirits on the Croix:  Past, Present and Future 

Places to meet Jeff and an interactive map (Click on any of the markers to show details of date and location. You may have to zoom in to see all markers.)

Here are the times, dates, and locations of the places we can easily meet Jeff and talk to him about his paddle.  The other campsites on his itinerary are more remote, but if you’re nearby (by river or road) feel free to stop in on an evening and sit around his campfire.  (see interactive map below for all times and places)

May 2, Day 1:  Palmer’s Landing near Solon Springs, 9:00 a.m.  Participate in a ceremony, led by Dennis and Cleo White, and send Jeff on his way downriver. Then join other well-wishers at a nearby restaurant to swap river stories and have brunch.

May 9, Day 8: Powell Point Campsite near Grantsburg, after 7:00 p.m.  Share a campfire with Jeff and hear his reflections on his first week on the St. Croix.

May 12, Day 11:  Marine-On-St.-Croix.  12:00 noon. Bring your lunch and have a picnic with Jeff Butler and artist Kami Mendlik in Marine on St. Croix.  Kami will be painting the St. Croix River with a space for Jeff and his canoe.   View Kami’s work here:  https://www.kamipolzin.com/

May 15, Day 14: 10:00 a.m. Celebrate the end of Jeff’s paddle at the Great River Road Visitor’s Center. After two weeks on the water, Jeff will share his experiences, encounters, and reflections about Spirits on the Croix: Past, Present and Future

Here is an interactive google map of his itinerary.  It will change over time as we add photos and information about the sites.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1oDZ8Yrt_5YiTwJ-cVwDIfZwHskkNfORe&usp=sharing