From the Water

As I write from a library in Warsaw, Ky (mile 527-8) I am trying to jog my memory of the last few days. It's been a whirlwind of splendor--from the arrival of Kay Campbell, Mimi's friend and writer from the Huntsville Times (Faith & Values Editor--a title that doesn't even begin to describe the voluminous personality and relaxed demeanor this woman possesses!) to our anticipated meeting and stay with 'Santa' Schulte who not only opened his home to us in Cincinnati, but has been the voice of reason, Ohio River data and more along the journey.

Kay at Four Seasons Marina (mile 464)

before

after

had to include this photo courtesy of santa schulte--river sweep bag was a great temporary raincoat during the last of the thunderstorm

Beers with Henry, the president/founder of Cincy paddlers, infinite cheers for the all-volunteer Boone County rescue team who escorted us and even stowed the kayak through Cincinnati and beyond! On Saturday, I was able to ride on a little steam boat that's 100 years old called 'miss fortune' owned by Tom Schiffer, a gun toting Kentucky man (and avid River enthusiast!)--He actually heard of the swim early on through steamboats.com through Jerry Hay (the man who wrote the guidebook that we use daily!--random!) He and his wife Carol were so kind to put us up and care for us.

Tom Schiffer

the Miss Fortune steam boat

South of Fern Bank park, oh (mile 483)
kay and mimi with boone county rescue + santa schulte (fittingly, in red)

Saturday was a strange day on the water--2 boats and 2 kayaks, not to mention the weekend river traffic. Definitely, an odd entourage!

mimi's strong arm surrounded
passing Aurora, In (~mile 497)

chill jim, comes back for round two

275 hwy bridge between Kentucky and Indiana (~491.5)

On the river, I jumped ship to Boone County and got to hear the stories of the rescue team (1st in the nation!!) and how Dale Apple, a man with vision, began the organization. Each member's enthusiasm was infectious and as I chowed on their delicious trail mix, they taught me tricks on how to read current. Good thing, because unexpectedly 3 miles shy of the days take out, kayakers Jim and Kay had to leave (their vehicle was short of the take out).



Oh, ****! the men had asked me if I needed a restroom, and I had thought--if I stand up, I'm fine until we reach the landing. Even the idea of sitting, through my bladder into a panic, and the rescue team (known for sophisticated recovery diving) rushed me to a nearby brushy shore. I was so embarrassed! I hopped off the boat into the mud, thickly stuck halfway up my calves and once freed and running for a little privacy-- all I could see was a group of guys on sea-doos heading straight to the shore where I was squatting. I was mortified--jumping for cover further in the bushes. After a little adventure, I was on the kayak and helping escort Mimi to mile 504--more than half way of the swim (which was 490.5).

From Dale's perspectives..



Off the water, Mimi is stumped by an interview question with a public radio station reporter from Kentucky--which is not a bad thing!

Sunday was my second day as a support kayaker, but first time alone. There was current, although it was not as much as in the past weeks, but it was fantastic to be on the river again for a second day in a row--applying my tracking skills to a new terrain. I would keep Mimi in my peripheral vision, but zone out and relax...maybe some of that was delirium, as it was another scorcher. As we wove through the bendy path, boaters would respectfully watch and people would yell to shore--'we're having a picnic, come by later!

I was too afraid to take Tree's camera on the water Sunday, but here's a series of chill Jim and Mimi's strong arm from Saturday:




Amazingly, Tom, a brother of our friendly Ranger upstream at Fern Bank Park (a take out 2 days prior) and his lovely wife Lynn found us on the river and would intermittently check with me--Does she need any food? Does she need a shower? Anything, let us know! Little did we realize just how much we would rely on the kindness of strangers that day--and to be honest, always. When it became apparent just how far Mimi would have to go up a creek to take out--I stopped her and said, you should just get on a boat--and...there was a boat.

A minute later we and our little blue kayak were on a boat full of people. Within seconds, Mimi was sitting in a circle with kids talking about sponge bob and singing songs. From there, Tom and Lynn were passed the torch, and we were soon riding on their zippy luxurious watercraft all the way back to our car in Rising Sun, where we then stayed with Bill and Kathy--another couple we had met at the take out the day before who lived in a waterfront home and used to run a B&B with a spare apartment. We ate their friendship bread and slept in a relaxing cocoon for 2 nights! Fittingly, our room read: "Enter a stranger, Leave a friend". How true this has been everyday along the river, and continues to be.

the rising sun 'retreat' at bill and kathy's (~506.3 mile)

tomas and kayak