What can I say god smiled on me today!!!
Two days in row in a hotel room what a deal. I mean it, it is a great deal here at Fitz they are charging $35 for a room. That included a free breakfast buffet too how could we say no, Dianne just said we will take it and it was just a very short walk from the boat ramp better still. No fire to light or tent to pitch. What a deal!
God also gave us a break from the heat today by raining most of the morning keeping the temperature below 80 all day. So we took full advantage and covered more than 38 miles, the distance we did in 2 days last time in just one day today. We were very lucky with the wind and weather so I can not complain.
Leaving Memphis this morning we met two gentlemen looking at our canoe when we arrived where we left it. They had good clothes on so I was not worried about them, in fact I am starting to think I could that canoe anywhere and no one would take it. These guys we saying that is the way the pioneers traveled down the river. Dianne and I said that is the way we do it today, and started loading up. We explained as we loaded the canoe what was in each pack and how the canoe was build and where we started and how long we had been on the trip for. They started taking pictures and asking questions etc. Then we started off and they even went ahead of us and took more pictures of working down the shore. It is good to see people get so excited by things and showing an interest in what we are doing so thanks a lot guys hope you had a good day too!
Very first thing we had to do is go under two bridges, the I40 Dolly Parton Bridge and the I55 bridge, while crossing the channel to cut a corner. I underestimated the current there and man did we fly downstream even while paddling 90 degrees to the current. At one point I thought we might hit a bridge peer but cleared it without problems. Then we started to cut all the corners today meaning we crossed the channel 6 times in all, three time is sight of barges approaching us. (They never were close to us and were always out of the channel before the even started to get close but it still causes us to work just a little harder when you see something a 1/4 mile long approaching you)
Dave I said HI to the Kudzu just for you as I went by the I55 bridge! (those that followed the bike trip should understand)
Rain started around 10 and it was raining at lunch so I pitched the tarp to stay dry. That crazy tarp we bought really wants to pitch and goes up easy making the decision to put up an simple. It was during lunch that Dianne realized how close we getting to a casino we skipped last and we decided to try for it. We reached the ramp at around 4 pm which is really not bad time for us. Dinner at the buffe which was also good. Dianne then played at the Casino for a hour and made a whopping 16 cents so even the luck gods were with us. So
now off to a warm, dry, bug free, sand free,and with pillow bed.
Count today
2 herons
2 jumping fish
1 egret
1 roof no house attached
4 red run away buoys
3 green run away buoys
1 crane loading a brage
4 small harbor tows working
3 banked tows
10 runing barges
6 channel crossings
2 bridges
I can't believe you guys have been out for over a month now. Andrew and I are getting ready for our trip in 2 weeks. We are really looking forward to it. We hope Andrew's back is in better shape by then. We found out today he has not so severe case of scoliosis. Jenny, Maggie and Jody are planning a visit at our place next week-end. That is going to be loads of fun! We are planning to go to the Monon Community Center Water park, Children's Museum, and to see the final Harry Potter flick. Hope you are having loads of fun!
ReplyDeleteI work with Andy at SearchSoft. We met once at La Piedad. This trip is so interesting to watch. I plug in your GPS coords whenever you supply them. I was worried at first, but it looks like you will make it all the way. Will you go through all those swamps sound of New Orleans? That doesn't look fun.
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