Outdoor adventures: Texas kayaker passes through on his journey home

His expected arrival in his hometown, Marble Falls, Texas is still four months off. If Jason Jamar was driving, he and his traveling companion, B.J., might be there in time for the weekend.

However, Jamar is 'floating' home in a 20-foot wooden kayak, via the Allegheny and Mississippi rivers. After starting out from Eastport, Maine May 18, Jamar expects to arrive in his native Texas sometime in mid December. But his journey from Maine to Texas might be considered the 'easy' part of his odyssey.

Jamar said he began his trek in San Diego, Calif., just after being discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. It was then Jamar said he decided to 'walk home.'

'A few of my buddies from the Corps were supposed to join me on a walk across the nation. but one by one, they all backed out so I went ahead on my own. I walked from San Diego to Marble Falls. That took several months.'

Once home, hiker Jamar picked up his buddy B.J. for a trek to Eastport, Maine. B.J. didn't hesitate.

'He's half husky and half Australian cattle dog. B.J. and I walked from Marble Falls to Eastport, Maine. In all it took 16 months to walk from California to Maine. There was no need to hurry.'

Once in Maine, the journey was destined to leave the road once in a while and head for the waterways.

'I guess you could say I'm doing some PR work for the Washington County Technical College, Marine Trade Center (Boat Building School) in Maine. It was there I built my Kayak. It's 20-feet long and made of Atlantic white cedar and some Western red cedar with a 'tid-bit' of mahogany for highlights. Inside and outside is coated with fiberglass resin. It's very sturdy and floats well.'

Jamar said building his boat was a three-month project. His craft is loaded with essentially the same 95-pounds of gear he carried in a backpack while hiking more than 4,000 miles.

'I have all the 'essentials' including a notebook computer and digital camera,' he laughed.

Jamar carries his notebook computer in order to send and receive e-mail messages.

'I have a list of about 500 people who are interested in my progress. I also keep in touch with my parents in Marble Falls.

On Monday, Jamar floated down the Allegheny and shortly after noon, passed through Lock 7 at Kittanning. He estimated that it would take another two days to reach the Point in Pittsburgh.

'I average between 25 and 35 miles a day,' he said. Most of the journey has been in the water. After leaving Portland (Maine) on June 5, I floated down the New England Coastline to Long Island and New York Harbor. From there I went up the Hudson River and used the Erie and Cayuga canals to get to the Finger Lakes. I took Seneca lake to Watkins Glen (N.Y.) and from there hitched a 100 ride to Salamanica, New York where I picked up the Allegheny.

'I plan to go down the Allegheny to the Ohio and into the Mississippi River to New Orleans. From there I'll take the ICW (Inter-Costal Waterway) to Matagora, Texas and the mouth of the Texas/Colorado River. From there it's a 395 mile trip up the Lazy River to my home in Marble Falls.'

Jamar said he plans to spend three or four days in Pittsburgh.

'I have a buddy from the Marine Corp living there and I'll stop to see him. I'd like to get some work for a few days to earn some money for my trip.'

In the course of the trip Jamar said he and B.J. have been invited to speak to school students and civic groups.

'The kids love B.J.' he said, 'but that's easy to do. He's a very talented dog. He often steals the show by singing and showing off. He's a real entertainer.'

Why is Jamar making his very exciting and sometimes arduous journey?

'I don't know,' he admitted. 'It's just something I thought would be neat to do, a great way to explore and enjoy seeing part of the country. In the (Marine) Corps I was an electronics data specialist. Now, after my 16-month walk with a 95-pound pack, I guess I've earned the title 'grunt.'

Well wishers may send notes of encouragement to Jamar via e-mail at: jdjamar@hotmail.com .