Ohio man travels by canoe to raise awareness for MS

Within the next three years, John Latecki Jr. hopes to have canoed 30,000 miles of waterways through 48 continental United States, break a record for the longest canoe trip in the Guinness Book of World Records and raise awareness for multiple sclerosis.

It sounds nearly impossible but Latecki has already completed a large portion of his goal.

In July 2004, the 28-year-old began his journey at Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio. He's already traveled through a majority of the northeastern states and has tallied up nearly 13,000 miles by paddling a canoe.

The Ohio native is trying to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis -- a disease that affects the central nervous system. Latecki's sister, Julie McAfee, was diagnosed with the disease in 1996 and is the inspiration behind the canoe trip, he said on Sunday at the Red Star Boat Dock in Cape Girardeau.

On Saturday morning, Latecki docked his canoe in Cape Girardeau. His father, John Latecki Sr. of Mountain View, Mo., made the trip to meet his son for the evening -- the two haven't seen each other in more than a year.

"I think it's great he's doing this. It's for a great cause," John Latecki Sr. said.

The father and son visit was a short one. Latecki was scheduled to depart by 2 p.m. Sunday for his next stop along the Mississippi River in Ste. Genevieve.

"Unfortunately it's going to be pretty rough," Latecki said Sunday as he packed his canoe. "They don't call it 'the Mighty Mississippi' for nothing."

Most people are amazed at what Latecki can fit into his canoe, he said. A tent, sleeping bag, packages of Ramen noodles, a laptop computer, four cell phones, bottles of water -- all the essentials.

Most days Latecki can travel about 15 to 24 miles per day with only a fishing pole, slingshot and a solar powered-radio keeping him company.

Sometimes he'll travel during the night, but he usually docks his canoe on a sandy beach and rolls out his sleeping bag.

Tossed by waves

The trip hasn't been easy. Last October Latecki was in the Atlantic Ocean near New York when a storm rolled in. Huge waves crashed into his canoe and almost tipped him over several times. His only communication was a cell phone, with barely a signal and a low battery.

"Luckily I was able to get in touch with my father and he contacted the Coast Guard, which picked me up in the ocean," he said.

Latecki's father worries about him, especially on the Mississippi River.

"It's the one river that really scares me. It's a dangerous one," John Latecki Sr. said.

After Latecki and his father released his canoe into the river, they hugged one another. Neither knew when they'd see one another again -- hopefully before another year passes.

John Latecki Sr. waved good-bye at the end of the Red Star Boat Dock.

"I'm proud of him. And I know his sister is, too," John Latecki Sr. said as his son paddled up the Mississippi.

For more information about Latecki, his canoe trip and muscular sclerosis, visit his Web site at: www.fightingms.org.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246