Well, he’s at it again.

 

Becker’s own Mike Garland is returning this year to do his part in raising awareness and money for the American Cancer Society.

 

Two years ago he rode his bicycle from becker to the west coast and last year he walked from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Coast Trail.

 

This year he plans to canoe the entire course of the Mississippi River from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.

 

“After this, I may have to write a book or something,” he says. “This might be my last big trip.”

 

Garland said since his wife is now retired, he and she plan to spend more time with each other on personal trips come next year.

 

The canoe trip, from Lake Itasca to south of New Orleans will cover 2,350+ miles and Garland plans to leave the Land of 10,000 Lakes July 11 and return home sometime in October.

 

“Venice, LA is the last place anyone can get a car to, so that’s where I’ll have someone pick me up,” Garland said. “It should only take me three months or so to complete the trip.”

 

Garland has raised over $32,000 in his prior ventures — with all proceeds going directly to the American Cancer Society through Relay For Life. 

 

Mike, who was inspired to “do something” to fight the disease, had a father who passed away from bladder cancer 20 years ago, then a grandfather the following year to prostate cancer. Mike lost a very close uncle to the devastating plague and has since dedicated his efforts to bring awareness to the cause.

 

Since last year’s PCT walk, Mike has been visiting colleges, high schools and communities interested in his story and encouraging the youth to jump on board the “kill cancer” concept. Just last weekend, he attended a rally at Becker High School Friday to give a speech on his experiences and then headed to Rochester John Marshall Saturday to do the same. Tuesday, he jumped in his canoe in Clearwater to give himself a test run and time himself from Clearwater to Monticello.

 

“I finished in three hours and 10 minutes,” he said. “For not canoeing in over three years, I thought that was a pretty good pace.”

 

Mike has extensive canoeing experience as he has for years gone to the Boundary Waters area with family members to have some fun. He pilots a 17.5’ aluminum Grumman canoe and will take along a tent, a backpack of supplies, a frying pan, food, clothes, rain gear and a couple fishing poles.

 

“What I’d like is to see people who are interested to come on out to one of my locations and take a ride with me,” Mike said. “It’s a great way to get a first-hand experience of what I’ll be facing come July.”

 

Mike is excited especially because his nine-year-old grandson plans to canoe with him for the first three days of his trip in Minnesota. Last year, he had another grandson come all the way out to the west coast to join him and keep him company as he walked the 2,600+ mile trail.

 

Mike;s biggest concerns for his canoe trip this year are his shoulder (surgically repaired), the current, locks & dams and the weather, of course.

 

“I also heard about the snakes and gators as you get down to Louisiana,” Mike said. “That could be a real concern for me.”

 

As usual, Mike will be taking photos, blogging and relaying information bak home while he head south. His goal is to raise at least $10,000 or come close to what he did the last two years.

 

“Again, I’m not just doing this to raise money for the cause,” he said. “I’m doing it to raise awareness and hopefully my stories can inspire others.”

 

Mike’s Facebook page is Mike+You=Cure and he plans to have a float in next month’s Freedom Days parade. To donate or get more information, go to Mike’s FB page and personally message him.