Publisher's Synopsis
CANOEING THE KASKASKIA is the real-life account of a father and son as they explore the length of the 275-mile long Kaskaskia River of Illinois. The voyageurs take one day per year over 23 years to complete the navigation. The story begins with Eric as a dutiful 10 year-old son and traces his life through turbulent adolescence, young adulthood, to maturity. The tale recounts the adversity, adventure, and the educational experiences the two encountered as they persevered to the mouth of the river at the Mississippi. Along the way, the relationship is tested as they are impeded by fallen trees, barbed wire, high water, low water, cows, irascible old men, the county sheriff, wind, waves, Asian Carp, and the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
Dr. Vidoni is a psychologist and an ardent outdoors person. This openair penchant creates the underpinning for this adventure down the river's length. The unanticipated amalgam of his expertise in developmental psychology and the multi-decade expedition down the Kaskaskia present an unusual opportunity to share adventure, family dynamics, and personality development.
DENNIS O. VIDONI was born in Chicago in 1945. He was raised in Chicago's blue collar suburbs of Cicero and Berwyn. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University, he taught high school social science and was a baseball and basketball coach. He then earned a Masters degree in Counseling from Roosevelt University and later a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Marquette University. His 26 years in the field of psychology included work as a clinical counselor, Counseling Center Assistant Director and Director, Assistant Professor and most prominently as Coordinator of Paraprofessional Training and Services. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Kansas Benedictine College, Regis College and the University of Illinois were among the places of his professional employment. He retired in 2001. Dennis is an avid sports enthusiast both as a fan and participant. He and Mary, his wife of 38 years, have one son, Eric, who is the central figure in this story.
