Dispatches
Fragments of the journey—quick glimpses, fleeting moments, and raw impressions captured before they drift away. Snapshots from the river, in words, images, and sound.
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Clay piloting the shantyboat in high seas
@clayduda piloting the #shantyboat in high seas. via Instagram
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Ben Duncan, Duncan’s Boat Dock
People in Knoxville told us, “You have to meet Ben Duncan at Duncan’s Boat Dock. He and other old men sit around there on the dock and swap lies all day.”
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Ben Duncan, age 91, owner and proprietor of Duncan’s Boat Dock
Ben Duncan, age 91, owner and proprietor of Duncan’s Boat Dock near Knoxville TN. Duncan’s has been there since 1944, created when the TVA flooded the valley. The #ShantyBoat docked here for the night. via Instagram
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Sitting at Duncan’s Boat Dock in the shade with a beer
Sitting at Duncan’s Boat Dock in the shade with a beer, Hazel dog, the delightful Benzy, #ShantyBoat docked, boats drifting in and out of the marina. Thanks @clayduda via Instagram
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Swimming in the Tennesse River
Swimming in the Tennesse River. #ShantyBoat #ShantyboatLife via Instagram
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Thanks mom for the champagne. Mimosas to celebrate our departure from Knoxville
Thanks @klassykat68 for the champagne. #Shantyboat mimosas to celebrate our departure from Knoxville. #GrapefruitMimosas via Instagram
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Out on a trash run with Jake Hudson of Ijams Knoxville TN
Out on a trash run with Jake Hudson of Ijams Knoxville TN. #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Jake Hudson who told stories of river clean up on the Tennessee River
Jake Hudson who told stories of river clean up on the Tennessee River. #secrethistory via Instagram
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Betty Goins childhood houseboat in which she grew up
Betty Goins childhood houseboat in which she grew up. #shantyboat via Instagram
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Interview with Betty Goins who grew up in a shantyboat
#secrethistory interview with Betty Goins who grew up in a shantyboat where the French Broad and the Holsten empty into the Tennessee River. “Y’all ready to hear about mah good life on the river? Well, Ah’m ready to tell it.” via Instagram
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Another Thursday evening in Knoxville TN
Another Thursday evening in Knoxville TN. #shantyboat via Instagram
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Vaughn and his brother Blue in their #shantyboat just down from the French Broad.
Vaughn and his brother Blue in their #shantyboat just down from the French Broad. via Instagram
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Train bridge over the Tennessee River
Train bridge over the Tennessee River. #shantyboat via Instagram
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Come get high with us party for Jesus
Come get high with us party for Jesus. #shantyboat via Instagram
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Swimming in the Tennessee River at the end of a runway
Swimming in the Tennessee River at the end of a runway. @gooddoghazel watching from the bluff. #shantyboat via Instagram
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Knoxville has floating booms at the mouths of creeks
Knoxville has floating booms at the mouths of creeks. As you can see they prevent an impressive amount of trash from entering the Tennessee River. #shantyboat via Instagram
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Drunken #shantyboat postcard headed your way.
Drunken #shantyboat postcard headed your way. via Instagram
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Architectural Antics in Knoxville is a great place to pick up supplies
Architectural Antics in Knoxville is a great place to pick up #shantyboat supplies. via Instagram
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The shantyboat is afloat in the Tennessee River!
The #shantyboat is afloat in the Tennessee River! via Instagram
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We made it to Knoxville with the shantyboat without dying in a flaming tumbling wreck! Yes!
We made it to Knoxville with the #shantyboat without dying in a flaming tumbling wreck! Yes! via Instagram
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Kickin it on the back porch of the shantyboat on a hot Arkansas day
Kickin it on the back porch of the #shantyboat on a hot Arkansas day. #StrangersThumb via Instagram
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First real brekkie aboard the shantyboat parked in a legume field
First real brekkie aboard the #shantyboat parked in a legume field. #BoatingInFarmland #Tennessee
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We’ve gone from white knuckling it to casual one-handed driving
We’ve gone from white knuckling it to casual one-handed driving. #shantyboat
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Hazel in her travel lair in the truck
Hazel in her travel lair in the truck. @gooddoghazel #shantyboat
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Watson’s amazing BBQ and farm supply in Tucumcari NM
Watson’s amazing BBQ and farm supply in Tucumcari NM. #shantyboat
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Squirsy joined us on our madcap cross-country trip with the shantyboat
Squirsey joined us on our madcap cross-country trip with the #shantyboat.
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#shantyboat at Watson’s barbecue in Tucumcari New Mexico. Most hospitable people. Great barbecue.
shantyboat at Watson’s barbecue in Tucumcari New Mexico. Most hospitable people. Great barbecue.
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Benzy and the #shantyboat in Williams. We stopped to walk a cemetery.
Benzy and the #shantyboat in Williams. We stopped to walk a cemetery.
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Outside of Flagstaff Arizona. Th #shantyboat moves ever eastward.
Outside of Flagstaff Arizona. The shantyboat moves ever eastward.
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Here’s what we’re doing as we tow the #shantyboat across country.
Here’s what we’re doing as we tow the shantyboat across country.
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Benzy and Hazel on the shantyboat after a night in Needles California along the tracks.
Benzy and @gooddoghazel on the #shantyboat after a night in Needles California along the tracks.
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Leaving Felton with the #Shantyboat requires us to push up low-hanging wires.
Leaving Felton with the #Shantyboat requires us to push up low-hanging wires.
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The little faeries brought the shantyboat some of our favorite whiskey, High Wes
The little faeries brought the #shantyboat some of our favorite whiskey, High Wes. #whiskey #bourbon via Instagram
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Farewells before departure on the #shantyboat
Farewells before departure on the #shantyboat via Instagram
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Secret History stencil on the front of the #shantyboat. #stencil #art
Secret History stencil on the front of the #shantyboat. #stencil #art via Instagram
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New refurbished #shantyboat life ring. Thanks Benzy!
New refurbished #shantyboat life ring. Thanks Benzy! via Instagram
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#ShantyBoat last minute work above and below.
#ShantyBoat last minute work above and below. via Instagram
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What happens when the Shantyboat key breaks off in the ignition
What happens when the #ShantyBoat key breaks off in the ignition when it is still in the boatyard’s lift sling? via Instagram
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We put new drain plugs in the ShantyBoat motor well
We put new drain plugs in the #ShantyBoat motor well. Was this why it didn’t leak for the first time? via Instagram
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Excitement! First time the ShantyBoat was afloat and the motor well didn’t take on water!
Excitement! First time the #ShantyBoat was afloat and the motor well didn’t take on water! via Instagram
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ShantyBoat with fresh coat of paint headed for the Tennessee River in one week.
#ShantyBoat with fresh coat of paint headed for the Tennessee River in one week. via Instagram
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Shantyboat looking good and almost ready to depart.
#Shantyboat looking good and almost ready to depart. via Instagram
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Freddie Mercury goes back on the #shantyboat.
Freddie Mercury goes back on the #shantyboat. via Instagram
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Last minute #Shantyboat todo list. We leave in one week.
Last minute #Shantyboat todo list. We leave in one week. #NoRush #WeGotThis #BusyAsBees via Instagram
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Newly fiberglassed, epoxied, painted, varnished and sealed shantyboat motor well
Newly fiberglassed, epoxied, painted, varnished and sealed #shantyboat motor well. Will it keep water out NOW? #ThingsThatShouldntHoldWater via Instagram
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Tired of the shantyboat corner being dinged up on docks and piers so now we have rubber baby buggy bumpers.
Tired of the #shantyboat corner being dinged up on docks and piers so now we have rubber baby buggy bumpers. via Instagram
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Bad idea makes good. Fiberglassed #shantyboat motor well
Bad idea makes good. Fiberglassed #shantyboat motor well. #NowhereToGoButForward via Instagram
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Messed up #shantyboat corner now fixed. #WeWillAlwaysHaveSavanna #ILeftMyRubRailInIllinois
Messed up #shantyboat corner now fixed. #WeWillAlwaysHaveSavanna #ILeftMyRubRailInIllinois via Instagram
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“That silly boat in the harbor”
I guess the customer service training at West Marine doesn’t include a caution against referring to customers’ boats as “that silly boat in the harbor.” #shantyboat #WestMarine via Instagram
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Heavy felted fiberglass. Bad ideas on the shantyboat
Heavy felted fiberglass. Bad ideas on the #shantyboat via Instagram
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Lifting the shantyboat with a house jack to move the cribbing. What could go wrong?
Lifting the #shantyboat with a house jack to move the cribbing. What could go wrong? #SketchyIdeas #DesperationIsTheMotherOfInvention #911onSpeedDial via Instagram
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I think I got a little sun over the last few #shantyboat work days.
I think I got a little sun over the last few #shantyboat work days. via Instagram
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Roof work on the #shantyboat at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor.
Roof work on the #shantyboat at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. via Instagram
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#shantyboat workday at the Santa Cruz Harbor.
#shantyboat workday at the Santa Cruz Harbor. via Instagram
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Losing control in a wind and damaging the boat against docks and whatnot. We are fixing things so we can have more of this fun.
One of the most fun parts about being in the #shantyboat on the river is losing control in a wind and damaging the boat against docks and whatnot. We are fixing things so we can have more of this fun. via Instagram
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Sanding the hull of the #shantyboat in preparation for new bottom paint.
Sanding the hull of the #shantyboat in preparation for new bottom paint. via Instagram
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Shantyboat on blocks in our worksite at the Santa Cruz Harbor.
#shantyboat on blocks in our worksite at the Santa Cruz Harbor. via Instagram
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The ill-advised madness of reseating the leaky shantyboat motor well.
The ill-advised madness of reseating the leaky #shantyboat motor well. via Instagram
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The shantyboat gets a visit from Phil and One-eyed Jack
The #shantyboat gets a visit from Phil and One-eyed Jack while we wait for the boat lift. #latergram via Instagram
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When your Shantyboat Motor won’t start after you get in the harbor
When your #Shantyboat Motor won’t start after you get in the harbor, you use your #BoatUS towing via Instagram
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Shantyboat visits the harbor beach in Santa Cruz on the way to dry dock.
#shantyboat visits the harbor beach in Santa Cruz on the way to dry dock. via Instagram
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Your average house doesn’t rattle down the road at 60 mph 5000 miles a year
Your average house doesn’t rattle down the road at 60 mph 5000 miles a year. So the #shantyboat doors and windows tend to need a little maintenance and repair. via Instagram
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Important #shantyboat business at the end of the workday.
Important #shantyboat business at the end of the workday. via Instagram
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Breaker box on #shantyboat now with grounding strap!
Breaker box on #shantyboat now with grounding strap! via Instagram
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Aesthetics comes first on the shantyboat
Have we repaired the hull yet? No. Aesthetics comes first on the #shantyboat. Painting windows with a delicious old green. via Instagram
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On the shantyboat our precision work often achieves tolerances as fine as a 1/4″ or more.
On the #shantyboat our precision work often achieves tolerances as fine as a 1/4″ or more. via Instagram
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Here is what electrical work on the shantyboat looks like. Hours under the deck.
Here is what electrical work on the #shantyboat looks like. Hours under the deck. via Instagram
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Electrical nightmares
Because the old system of 9 wires going into a crowded junction box was giving me nightmares. #shantyboat via Instagram
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Shantyboat hijinx during a “work” day
#shantyboat hijinx during a “work” day. I think we got “drink beer” and “make todo list” accomplished that day. via Instagram
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Secret 110v plug in for #shantyboat shore power when we are docked in marinas.
Secret 110v plug in for #shantyboat shore power when we are docked in marinas. via Instagram
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Secret 110v plug in in #shantyboat for when we are docked in marinas.
Secret 110v plug in in #shantyboat for when we are docked in marinas. via Instagram
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Best Secret History postcard ever. Was $20 ever on it, or is that the joke? Either way: hilarious
Best Secret History postcard ever. Was $20 ever on it, or is that the joke? Either way: hilarious. This will go in the #shantyboat via Instagram
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Secret History of American River People project at the R.Blitzer gallery. Opening reception Friday
Secret History of American River People project at the R.Blitzer gallery. Opening reception Friday. #shantyboat #SecretHistory via Instagram
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Secret History exhibition at the Blitzer Gallery opening reception Friday. #shantyboat #SecretHistory #SantaCruz
Secret History exhibition at the Blitzer Gallery opening reception Friday. #shantyboat #SecretHistory #SantaCruz via Instagram
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Secret History exhibition at the Blitzer Gallery opening reception Friday
Secret History exhibition at the Blitzer Gallery opening reception Friday. #shantyboat #SecretHistory #SantaCruz via Instagram
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Secret History #Shantyboat at Roaring Camp, Felton.
Secret History #Shantyboat at Roaring Camp, Felton. via Instagram
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OMG OMG How I love maps
OMG OMG How I love maps. Preparing for life on the #TennesseeRiver from #Knoxville to #Paducah. #Shantyboat #SecretHistory via Instagram
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This is totally geeky insider info, but i wanted to tell you that the Secret History website has been totally redesigned
This is totally geeky insider info, but i wanted to tell you that the Secret History website has been totally redesigned. Peoplesriverhistory.us #shantyboat #webgeekery via Instagram
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Is this the most gorgeous woodcut ever?
Is this the most gorgeous #woodcut ever? #Art by Jacob Simowitz. #shantyboat #RiverLife #SecretHistory #MississippiRiver #diyboats via Instagram
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Photo by George at Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad
Photo by George at Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad. #Shantyboat via Instagram
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All. The. Things. #Shantyboat #cigar #bourbon #trains #sunshine #porchtime
All. The. Things. #Shantyboat #cigar #bourbon #trains #sunshine #porchtime via Instagram
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Secret History #Shantyboat at Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad, Felton. #SecretHistory #BoatsAndTrains #Railroad
Secret History #Shantyboat at Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad, Felton. #SecretHistory #BoatsAndTrains #Railroad via Instagram
