QUINCY (WGEM) - The Gem City welcomed a special visitor to the Quincy Bay late Friday afternoon.

The “Flying Eagle” canoe was sculpted by more than 450 children near St. Helens, Oregon, nearly 20 years ago.

The 600-pound vessel had been locked away by the city’s government, according to its current pilot, William “Willow Bob” Goulardt.

Goulardt is headed to Hannibal, where he plans to spend the winter before resuming his journey down the Mississippi.

His goal is to return the canoe next summer to master carver John Ruskey of the Quapaw Nation in Mississippi.

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