TripTracker.net - Mississippi River, Day 63/ October 7, 2007

Leaving Home, Count Down - 4 Days to Go Day 1 /August 6th Day 2 August 7th Day 3/ August 8th.Day 4/ August 9, 2007 Day 5 / August 10, 2007 No title No title Day 6 / August 11, 2007 Day 7 / August 12, 2007 Day 8 / August 13, 2007 Day 9, August 14, 2007 Day 10, August 15 Day 11 August 16 Day 12 August 17 Day 13, August 18 Day 14 August 19 Another Bed & Breakfast & Supper An Island Campsite Day 15/ August 20, 2007 Day 16/ August 21,2007 Day 17/ August 22, 2007 Day 18/ August 23, 2007 Day 19/ August 24, 2007 Day 20/ August 24, 2007 Day 21/ August 26, 2007 Day 22/ August 27, 2007 No title Mike Zwonitzer in LaCrosse Day 23/ August 28, 2007 Day 24/ August 29, 2007 Day 25 August 30 Day 26, August 31st Day 27, Sept. 1st Day 28 / September 2, 2007 Day 29 / September 3, 2007 Day 30 / September 4, 2007 Day 31 / September 5, 2007 Day 32/ September 6, 2007 Day 33/ September 7, 2007 Day 34 / September 8, 2007 Day 35 / September 9, 2007 Day 36/ September 10, 2007 Day 37/ September 11, 2007 - 1,000 miles Day 38/ September 12, 2007 Day 39/ September 13, 2007 Day 42/ September 16, 2007. I yam what I yam.Day 40/ September 14, 2007 Day 41/ September 15, 2007 Day 43/ September 17, 2007 Day 44/ September 18, 2007 Day 45/ September 19, 2007 Day 46/ September 20, 2007 Day 47/ September 21, 2007 Day 48/ September 22, 2007 Day49, September 23, 2007 Day 50/ September 24, 2007 Day 51/ September 25, 2007 Day 52/ September 26 Day 53/ September 27, 2007 Day 54/ September 28, 2007 Day 55/ September 29, 2007 Day 56/ September 30, 2007 Day 57/ October 1, 2007 Day 58/ October 2, 2007 Day 59/ October 3, 2007 Day 60/ October 4, 2007 Day 61/ October 5, 2007 Day 62/ October 6, 2007 Day 63/ October 7, 2007 Day 64/ October 8, 2007 Day 65/ October 9, 2007 Day 66/ October 10, 2007 - WE MADE IT, WE MADE IT, WE MADE IT!Day 67/ October 11, 2007 Day 68/ October 12, 2007 Day 69/ October 13, 2007 Note from Dan Zellner

Anne Zellner

Mississippi River

Day 63/ October 7, 2007

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Oct 8 2007, 09:55 PM

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Traveler

Anne Zellner

Journal

Location

Natchez, United States, Mississippi

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We awoke to a hot and humid day again today. We always look for wildlife as we paddle and we noticed a flock of turkey vultures and eagles circling over a section of the river. We paddled closer and found that they were feasting on carp that had become trapped by falling water levels. Finally those jumping carp had met their match. Two deer, a doe and fawn, swam across the river not far from the eagles and vultures. It was a really long swim. We had traveled about 29 miles and since we were both sore and tired, we began looking for a campsite. We rounded a bend and to our surprise, we saw the Army Corps revetment barge. Since we were out of fresh water, we thought we would at least paddle over and see if they would fill our water bags. Man were we wrong. We paddled up to the huge barge and asked one of the people at the railing if we could get water. Never in our wildest imagination did we expect to receive the welcome we got! The crew of the barge welcomed us with open arms. Not only did they fill our water bags but our stomaches as well. They sent chicken dinners, frozen yogurt, canned goods, and other goodies over the rail. Soon the Captain of the barge met us and welcomed us aboard!. We were on the quarterboat that housed 317 people, was two stories high, and had 16 cooks! The tow boats housed 16 people and had 4 cooks each!. After a quick tour, the Captain invited us to dinner! He directed us to a sandbar just off the side of the barge as a campsite. We set up camp and prepared for dinner. We had a severe dress code to meet (sleeves on all shirts and no open toed shoes) so we donned our best clothes. When we were ready, I looked at Joe and he at me and laughed. Our wrinkled, baggy clothes hung on us. We have been on the river a long time. Nonetheless, we met the Captain at the gang plank at 5:00 and were escorted to the galley of the quarterboat, the William James. This boat is one of 4 that are part of the revetment floatilla. We were treated like royalty and enjoyed a fabulous steak dinner. After supper we toured the boat. This ship is amazing. It has an onboard water treatment plant that can treat over 100,000 gallons of river water into fresh water each day. I had wanted to see what it was like on a barge tow and never thought it possible. Our time on the revetment barge was amazing and likely will be the crowning point of our journey. We are at mile marker number 327 and our goal is mile marker number 235. After paddling over 2100 miles we now have only 92 miles to go. We retired to our tent with an incredible sense of well being. This has been an amazing adventure. ... by dz

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	77. Note from Dan Zellner Oct 14 2007, 12:05 PMNatchez, United States, Mississippi1 comment As some of you know, I have been updating Joe and Anne's log for them. I have been the words of Anne. I likely have made many errors and misstatements. One thing I know I have not misstated is the tremendous gratitude and love they have for all of you who have followed, prayed for, and rooted...

	76. Day 69/ October 13, 2007 Oct 14 2007, 11:23 AMNatchez, United States, Mississippi Today is the day for the Phat Water Kayak Challenge. We arose at 4:00 AM and boarded a school bus an hour later for the ride to Port Gibson. The bus, jammed with nervous participants and their gear, arrived about one hour later at the put-in point in Port Gibson. The town had mowed the shoreline...

	75. Day 68/ October 12, 2007 Oct 14 2007, 11:12 AMNatchez, United States, Mississippi We spent the day helping Keith and the committee with race preparations. I helped with registration and Joe with equipment repair. Last year there were about 50 participants, this year it nearly doubled to 89 registrants. Gear needed to be shuttled to the starting point in Port Gibson and last...

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