Page 2 May 2nd

May 2nd

It's been three days since I've had time to write about things. We've been traveling pretty hard to get shelter from the storm. Craig and his family offered us shelter in his camper on his parents property across the river from Gallipolis Ohio.
We've seen sights and gotten comfortable with the river. We've met some of the finest and kindest people I've ever run into. People are curious about our adventure, and some are envious.
We have travelled over 300 miles and are just short of half way. The Ohio River for the past 100 miles has been beautiful. It is often remote with few people. An individual farm that has been in place for
many years will sit alone at a creek mouth with enough bottom land to be adequate for self sufficiency. Other stetches are heavy with industry and the barge traffic thick.
We are very comfortable on the river and sitting waiting out the rain makes us antsy to be traveling again.
When we climb up the bank and go into a town we are quickly noticed. The grocery in Ravenwood knew we were coming before we could walk there. The clerk asked how far we'd come. When we asked how he knew we were traveling the river he said "they're talking about you downtown." I think we may have taken on the slightly scary look of rivermen.
I know that we are adjusting to river living. I took Bill and Linda's kind offer to use their laundry. A load was drying and the other still washing and I stood there thinking I wish the rain would slack up so I could step outside and pee. Then I remembered that modern houses had indoor facilities.

Day 17, Mile Marker 305 Huntington West

Gallipolis. We packed and jumped on the rolling current. Set a new world record: 35 miles. Made the new marina at the mouth of guyandotte river at Huntington. Great camp site with shower and hit meal. Met Dennis, Jim and Robbie who had dinner with us. They watched us fight the current to cross the river and asked "is that Lewis and Clark?" Today my cousin Xandy Stewart came and picked us up, drove us to Maysville and we were the guest speakers at their meeting. That was a great honor for me. I was so proud to address them. Mac gets a flag at the Maysville Rotary Club. We my cousin Xandy Stewart (on the left) picked us up in Huntington then returned us. We will make Maysville and the farm on Friday. Xandy drove us back and we launched at 4:00 and pushed 23iles to Ironton where we will speak at their club tomorrow. The high water is dragging debris down river but it sure increases our speed.
Day 18, Mile Marker 328 Ironton Ohio
Camp 20 Today we addressed the Ironton Rotary Club. We were the guest of Marsha Wikle who had friends and Rotary members greet us at her place on the river. We had a good dinner together and camped on a wonderful grassy river bank. At the meeting we described our trip and experiences. After the meeting we launched and Marsha came along in her kayak. We had the opportunity to teach her how to lock through a dam and she
made 22 miles with us for her own personal longest kayak trip ever. Marsha helped us pitch camp just above Portsmouth Ohio and then Jim picked her and her kayak up and drove her back to Ironton. She is with the Forest Service and taught more about the river and the valley. We saw where Hanging Rock stood. Shawnee used it to spot pioneers and set
ambushes. Blue Jacket burned the scalp of his brother,whom he had killed before realizing who he was, on Hanging Rock. We are shooting to make Maysville on Friday...weather and river permitting.
Day 19, Mile Marker 348 Sciotoville Ohio
We stayed at Wolfords Campground up river from Portsmouth OH. We pushed off about 9;30 and made the Portsmouth Landing by 11:30a. We waited there to be interviewed by the anchor for Channel 3 Charleston/ Huntington...the NBC affiliate. Bill was a great guy and waded right into the river mud to get a "great story." we even shot iPhone video
of him. A real pro. The story ran tonight. I think we did well. After the 2 hours in Portsmouth we were back at it. We made a total of 27 miles and are camped on the bank near Rome Ohio. We are in Adams County Ohio. Three weeks of river travel and we are
wirhin reach of our first goal: the Stewart's trip from the Tenmile Country of Pennsylvania to Maysville Kentucky in 1790. We have earned our right to be proud.
Day 20, Mile Marker 408 Maysville Kentucky
Camp 23 Mile marker 432 Chillo Ohio
Thunderstorms are holding us up and knocking out power here. We plan to depart later today from around Warsaw, KY which is near Big Bone Lick State Park.We figure it's about 3 days from there so we are in the last stages of the trip.
Mile 566