Hey everyone,
we're here in caruthersville, missouri at the public library at the moment, and we're sorry we haven't been able to post about our first few days. the first few days were VERY busy organizing the boat and figuring out, as we go, the organization of the boat and what we go through with supplies, as well as taking care of the vitals like water, ice and food. We didnt have a powered up cell phone to use as our connection for the first few days anyway. After we launch from caruthersville we'll attempt to connect while on the boat, as we have everything organized pretty much.
We've had some great adventures already, and most importantly have found every friendly person along the mississippi river towns, especially here in caruthersville. Every time we've stopped in a small town and people have seen one of us get off the boat, we've been offered a ride into town for ice and water, and they usually approach us. People always come up to us and want to know how long we're going and where we put in and where we're from.
July seems to be river adventure season, as everyone has stories of people coming through in july via sail, raft, canoe and motor boat, and sometimes even jet skis. supposedly, well up river of us, there is a very large raft with a small shed built onto it with three guys going *very* slowly, so we probably won't see them.
Here is carthuthersville, the first place we found to eat was at the 4th Street Deli, where we met Ashley, our waitress, and her boyfriend, Cliff. We'd heard of a place called the Boat Club, which is actually just a small, quiet inlet. We were thinking of anchoring there for a couple nights while in Caruthersville, and they offered to drive us down and show where it was, as well as where the stores and stuff were. We talked with them quite a bit, so it was no surprise we went back there for lunch again today, (Wednesday the 6th). Originally we were going to hit a breakfast place, but we changed our minds - and thank goodness we did.
July is *indeed* travelers' month, as just on the other side of the cafe, a young woman stopped me on the way to the bathroom asking if we were sailing the river. I answered yes, and she responded, 'Great, we're canoeing it too' Jessica and John are canoeing on behalf of the
Source to Sea and they're averaging about 60 miles a day, going to New Orleans, just like us.
Turns out they had just pulled in, and had their boat next to ours at the ramp. We sat for at least a half hour comparing stories of our trip so far, and our planned trip ahead. After we got back to our boat to get our laundry and laptop, we talked briefly again, and found out we're both anchoring at the yacht club on Mud Island in Memphis, and probably arrive around the same time. We definitely plan on coordinating with each other for the rest of the trip, if only to find out how things are going. It was a HUGE confidence and excitement boost for me to meet them, and I was literally bouncing out of the deli. I hope to see them more often.
The owner of Mona's Place, a bar right off the river wall, met us at the ramp, telling us many stories of other river travellers, and was the second person to mention Mississippi Bill, and older man who has canoed down many times before. He's also offered to refill our ice and water for us.
There's a reason why we've been in Caruthersville for two days, but I'll let Rem tell you that exciting story. I was underneath the whole time, like the good little novice that I am.
On our way to the laundry, we ran into Ashley again, and she offered to ride us to the laundry and library, and she said to call her when we're done. To all of my friends who mentioned"Deliverance" to me when describing river townspeople, for shame. I've found them to be friendlier than a lot of city folk quite honest. Caruthersville and the 4th street deli are definite stops if you ever do this trip. We even got to see there fireworks on the 5th from our boat, as they were rained out the night before from the storm that moved through the area.
Caruthersville has definitely been a highlight of the trip for me, which Ashley finds funny, as the young people we've talked to all plan on leaving. I mentioned, that like Pittsburgh, they'll be back for good, if only to retire, or to raise their kids, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to adventure while you're young. I wish I hadn't waited until I was in my 30s, personally. I may not have appreciated it as much, but that's the wouldashouldacoulda talking.
That's enough for now, and I plan on writing more tonight, as we experiment with the cell phone connection with the laptop from the boat. We're off to Memphis, and plan to be there by Friday.
Michael, over and out.
