Mighty Miss’ edge-of-death experiences mingle with portraits of sandy beaches; a Robinson Crusoe island; magnificent sunrises; close-up encounters with loons making their evening call; slam dancing carp, lips pulsating to pass brethren mosh-pit style; and fishermen and faith filled river people sharing intimate and uplifting stories.  The ecstasy of nature’s beauties and the excitement of survival make Mighty Miss a timeless and riveting Mississippi memoir.

After hanging in mid-air for a split-second, our canoe drops hard.  Immediate primal fears, heightened by expedition tensions and summer’s heat, grip us.  We are descending out of control and into the core of a forty-foot whirlpool.  The bow bends as if to be ripped asunder.  Did we cheat death on Winnie’s six-foot waves in near freezing waters and survive terrifying games of chicken played by towboat operators only to go down in a peril equal to Dante’s inner circle?

In Mighty Miss, instant decisions become the difference between life and death.  When Mighty Miss is not exposing the river’s dangers, she moves smoothly between moments of tranquil beauty and father/son tensions.

For over 45 years, author Gary Hoffman has been guiding canoe trips in the Minnesota and Quetico Boundary Waters, Lake of the Woods, the Mississippi and elsewhere.  He was a guide and instructor for Minnesota Outward Bound.

Since 2007, Gary has devoted his energy to a full-time writing career and lives in Chanhassen, MN. Originally from Albert Lea, MN, Gary's career has involved him with directing organizational operations at schools and religious institutions, strategic planning, administration, initiating adult education programs, teaching, counseling, and social and community program development.