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With Hurricane Bill churning away in the Atlantic Ocean and daily highs well into the 90s, I can't think of a better time to paddle the Neuse River for 10 days. Can you!?

I'll be paddling the entire Neuse River from the Falls Lake Dam (Raleigh) to New Bern to document and raise awareness of water quality issues within the Neuse River watershed. The trip will begin Thursday, and I plan to take about 10 days to reach New Bern and the beginning of the Pamlico Sound. I'll also be working with the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation with a public paddling session in New Bern on Sept. 6. After the trip, we'll be sharing slideshows and talks with area middle schools, clubs and other organizations.

Social media

This expedition will be very social-media heavy, with an interactive Google map, photos, podcasts and possibly video posted in real time from the river to our Web site (www.SourcetoSea.net), Facebook, Twitter and Flickr accounts. I'll also be posting a larger gallery of photos and a short film after things are wrapped up.

I would have loved to have this sort of capability when we paddled the Mississippi River, and I'm testing a few other things for future long-distance trips. All social media links can be found on our Web site.

Environmental issues

As North Carolina's population continues to grow, the need for adequate protection of its water resources becomes more acute. Riparian zone restoration, land trusts, enforcement of environmental regulations and sustainable development are all key components to providing clean water for generations to come.

Elevated nitrogen and phosphorous loads from runoff and numerous Pfiesteria outbreaks helped put the Neuse on American River's Ten Most Endangered Rivers list as recently as 2007.

More than 10 million hogs are raised "industrial style" in North Carolina, with most of them east of I-95. Each day these hogs produce more fecal waste than the population of North Carolina, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Hampshire and North Dakota combined. The overflow and runoff from hog lagoons feed algae in the river systems, leading to nutrient deficiency and large-scale fish kills.

An estimated 50,000 fish were found dead along the Neuse River near Carolina Pines in Craven County this past July. According to www.riverlaw.us, more than one billion fish have been lost on the Neuse River since 1991.

Logistics

The Neuse River is about 195 miles from Raleigh to New Bern. I paddle about 525 stokes a mile, so I've got around 100,000 strokes staring me in the face. I'm sure my current desk job and generally slothful lifestyle has prepared me well. Add to that the high temperatures, mosquitoes, poison ivy and a decent chance for a hurricane, and you've got yourself a good time. (My travel plans always bring bad weather, so I apologize in advance to the entire Eastern Seaboard.)

All kidding aside, I can't wait to get on the water! At about 20 miles a day, it should take me nine or 10 days to make it all the way down the river. That should leave plenty of time for all the photography, video work, writing and general putzing around I've got planned. And if I visit a town and a hot biscuit or cold beer finds its way into my hands, who am I to argue?

I'll start from Raleigh carrying five days of food, then resupply along the way for the rest. The Neuse flows near the towns of Raleigh, Clayton, Smithfield, Goldsboro, Kinston, Seven Springs and New Bern, so I doubt I'll starve. I'm trying out a new water filter from Platypus on this trip, but I'll also carry a couple of gallons of fresh water as a backup.

The nice thing about summer paddling is that it keeps your gear and clothing needs to a minimum. I'll sleep in a hammock and carry just an extra pair of shorts, T-shirt and rain jacket for my "town clothes." Gobs of sunscreen, sunglasses and a big, floppy sun hat round out the supplies. No need for deodorant, as I'd just be kidding myself to think that would keep the funk down. I'll be somewhat civilized the other 355 days of the year, but these 10 days are mine. A full gear list is located at sourcetosea.net/neuse-river-kayaking-gear-list.

Sponsors and gear

Great Outdoor Provision Company has graciously lent its support again. The company also was the primary sponsor of our Mississippi River expedition and Cape Fear River trips in 2005 and 2006. There's no way we could pull off this kind of thing without their support.

Hurricane Kayaks (Warsaw) is providing a Santee Expedition kayak, and I'm looking forward to testing a new hot-weather V-Eight life jacket from the folks at Asheville's Astral Designs. Sea to Summit is supplying the dry bags to keep my gear from getting soaked, and Platypus is providing the water filter and containers for the trip.

With days to go, everything is almost ready. Gear is being sorted, final plans and itineraries are firmed up, and I should probably be pretending to start an exercise regimen. If you have any questions, would like your organization or group to get involved or would to schedule a slideshow, feel free to e-mail me at john@sourcetosea.net.