Update Jan. 21, 2020 After screening at 2 great film festivals-
(ASPEN MOUNTAIN FILM FEST , and WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL)

One thing that we've experienced is that this film resonates with people because of its "accessible feel". There are some major subjects broached during the film, but all within the context of a river journey, a cultural one, and an open awareness of the challenges we face as citizens.
Of course some humor in the mix helps with the message. 
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We were very gratified this week to receive the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD in Nevada City.  And we also found out last night that the film has been added to the Wild & Scenic FF Touring roster, so you may see it at an event near you soon!


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3/27/19
​"The Sacramento-At Current Speed". A lot has happened since we left the river at the end of June. For one, our region went months with just a few drops of rain. Soon after we ended our trip the Carr Fire jumped the river at our launch point, and then, of course November's devastating Paradise Fire. Record snowfalls in the Sierra then followed during this past winter. Hopefully this will give the area some "breathing room". But challenges are ahead for California water management, and us as filmmakers.
We suspect the easy and fun part of making a documentary is over. We have some great footage, great interviews, and a story worth telling. Now we have to finish it and tackle the 'business end' of this process.
To date Tom and I have paid for everything out of pocket. Our next steps will be taking this trailer, getting to the rough-cut version and a proposal for sponsorship, and identifying businesses or organizations who would see the value of the finished project. As you can imagine, the higher profile businesses who support environmental causes do get inundated. If any of you have contacts or suggestions that would help us in our next steps, please contact us. 

If people are excited by the river and the surrounding issues we would like to help direct them to the right places. We anticipate there will be opportunities, if our film is good enough, to interact with the public at film festivals and screenings. It would be great to have a link to volunteer opportunities available. Please share your ideas in this area as well.

We are proud to announce our premier screening will be at the Aspen Mountain Film Festival in Colorado!  August 24th

We have now embarked on our next journey, finishing a film and getting it out to the public. This requires an investment. Entry and travel to the film festivals, creating a website (better than this blog) and sticking our toes into the world of documentary film making. We have learned a lot, apparently we are considered a 'micro-budget' film. 
We are partnering with organizatons and businesses with whom we are philosophically aligned.
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We made it! Better to be lucky than smart. Yesterday, we exceeded our most optimistic projections and logged 33 miles. Rode the ebb tide and the winds were kind.
​TodAy we got to experience rowing through one of the states best windsurfing areas. True suffering was had but we made it to take out by mid morning. At several points this morning we would have moved faster by getting off the boat and crawling on our bellies on shore. There is much to process about this experience. For now, we just enjoy.



The last time California faced real collapse of aquatic ecosystems was before the passage of the state and federal clean water acts in the 1970s, which eliminated or greatly reduced the dumping of huge volumes of toxic material into the estuary. The present Delta, as measured by total fish populations, species diversity, navigability, migratory waterfowl abundance, and other measures, even water quality, is a ‘healthy’ ecosystem in many ways.

​Peter Moyle, UC Davis fisheries
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25 mile upstream wind does not deter these knuckleheads. We crawl by the southern suburbs of Sacramento dodging yachts and jet skis. All we see are levees and sometimes the roof peak of.a rooftop Camped with a beaver and an osprey.
From here on out it is basically a row across a tidal lake. Our problem is finding the sweet spot where we are on a slack or low tide before the winds come up. Today we pass the proposed location of the controversial Delta Tunnels or .mWater Fix project. Friend Tom Meagher taught us how to get in a fight down here, Tunnels vs. levees.
Clarksburg. Mile 43
​we think we smell the ocean.
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Full of rage we row up to old sacramento ready to storm the halls of power. Or maybe we just get ice cream.
Last night we Camped Portuguese bend, mile 88, a beautiful beach in the flight path of the Sacramento Airport. Circled around Fremont Weir and saw the cut being excavated that will allow fish to return to the river from the floodplain. Then out on to the Feather River, clear and fast compared to the Sac. We have moderate headwinds and little current, so our first real test. Tired but we make 28 miles.
Today rest and regroup in Sacramento, for the big push into the Delta. 60 more miles. Strong upstream winds in the forecast.
🚣🏽‍♀️ never thought I would actually use the rowing emoji

Not as hot today. USGS showing a release of 10,500 at Redding but only 4660 cfs is left in the river here. We camped last night on a very small mud flat on a small triangle of leftover “jungle” that did not fit within the agricultural grid.
Still amazingly quiet. Occasionally someone fishing from shore. Farms everywhere. The news from downriver is 20 mph winds in the delta.
the long expected suffering has begun. Suddenly nighttime mosquitos have appeared and I have like 100 on my ankles and elbow. No really. Some of them are really itchy.
​Knights Landing, Fremont Weir. 34 miles and 2 interviews!
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