Missouri veteran writes book about canoeing more than 3,000 miles with her rescue dog

When Amanda Hoenes last spoke with the Springfield News-Leader, she was about two months into her 3,300-mile journey to canoe the Missouri River. The 1999 Branson High School graduate finished her adventure in Jan. 18, 2022 along the Louisiana coast after starting about six months prior in Montana.

Now, the military veteran has a book titled "Digging Deeper" detailing the adventure that took 186 days to complete.

The Cedar Creek resident said she hadn't planned on writing a whole book, though she kept a journal for data and updated an ongoing blog, "A River Adventure."

"You have to go with the creative wave as it hit you," Hoenes said about dealing with writer's block to finish the book in 10 months. "It felt surreal, to be honest."

More:Veteran, along with her rescue dog, are canoeing the Missouri River

Hoenes had never written a book, but the dream was always floating in the back of her mind.

"I would really like to be an author," Hoenes told herself. "But it's never something you think is going to happen."

Among the pages of triumph and perseverance were some mishaps, including finding a 100-year hatching of deerflies that swarmed Hoenes and her rescue dog, Hank.

"It was absolutely awful ― a low point for me and for the trip," Hoenes said, but added the horror faded a bit when she went to write about it. "That was one of the best sunsets of the trip, too, and the peace along the lake there that day, once we got out of the flies, was incredible."

With her work finally published, Hoenes has been traveling for book signings and speaking engagements while also working on her own adventure consulting business, True Path Adventures.

Hank is still living his best life on the 400 acres of Hoenes' home.

"He travels with me on occasion to book signings," Hoenes said. "I think he would be tickled to get back out there, though, and do another long adventure."

Having Hank along for the ride was a comfort, but there were logistics in bringing along the four-legged companion.

"There were a little bit of more complicated aspects of the trip," she said.

Having the companionship did wonders for Hoenes, and Hank soon found his voice about two months into the trip.

"One day, he figured out he could make sounds, and he didn't really stop," Hoenes added before joking: "He talks in full sentences (and) is so spoiled."

After finishing the trek, people started asking Hoenes when she'd return to paddle the more than 3,000 miles. Never, she immediately said. However, as time goes by, Hoenes said she's not so opposed.

"There's so much I could do better to make it more fun (and) to see more," Hoenes said.

Paddling the Mississippi River is calling her name, Hoenes said. She doesn't know when she'd make that trek, but it is shorter, at 2,100 miles.

"Digging Deeper" by Amanda Hoenes is available for sale on her website or Amazon.

Sara Karnes is an Outdoors Reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter and Instagram @Sara_Karnes. Got a story to tell? Email her at skarnes@springfi.gannett.com.