So Ryan and his wife are hands down World-Class citizens in my book. Their accents alone seemed to say “Oh Sugar, Can I get you anything?” I think they emptied out half of their cupboards looking for food that I could take. On top of that, Luke from Memphis overnight-ed a care package with food and everything I might need: food, a pair of shorts, deodorant, soap, shampoo, and some Depends. Goodness, even Ryan’s Dog is nice. I am moving down south, or as my Mother suggested today, get married and take some of the south home with me!
Ryan departed early this morning so his wife and 14 month old daughter Audry Grace escorted me back to the river with all I would ever need. I was on the river by 10, but I stuck around to use the precious Vicksburg cellular service to all everyone I needed to including my mother. I think I am making her old with all this worrying that she is doing. I didn’t start to paddle seriously until about one. at 2:30 or so it was a little cloudy and perfectly calm. At 2:35 it was down-pouring and the wind was blowing so hard that I had to shield my face from the sting of the water droplets. Winds were gusting at over 35 miles per hour and then in 10 minutes it was blue sky’s and sunny again. I was fine for another hour or so but then again a second storm of equal force came crashing through. Yesterday when this same thing happened I became quite frustrated but I will have to say that yesterdays trial has grown my patience. I didn’t get mad this time but I decided that I would get off the river before I had the chance to get mad. This next part is for mature audiences only. So I docked and climbed up a tree to the top of a steep bank. I try and wait out the rain but I just got worse so I decided to go swimming. I am 20 miles from any town, I havent seen anyone for about 90 minutes, and I don’t want my clothes to be soaking wet so we will say that my swim more so resembled a bath or a shower. I swim for about 20 minutes and just as I walk up onto the beach below the steep bank where my clothes are, a boat with 3 men comes whipping around the corner. But there are not just three men in the boat, but three men and a Lady! I have virtually no place to hide or cover up, so I cover up my most important parts and I turn my backside to them. And with a grin I make sure to wave as they pass by hoping to make the situation a little less awkward. It was a full moon, but I figured that they would turn their head if they found it too disturbing. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but by their laughing I can only assume that they somewhat enjoyed the experience. From then on I put the paddling into high gear and went till 9:30 or so. I hid my kayak because there were some people scanning the beach with spotlights. No alligators, bull sharks, or snakes yet but I make sure to carry a knife when i swim just in case. Ended at mile marker 382 for 55 miles.