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Monday, June 15, 2009

A Great Blue Heron Morning



Ok, I'm heart broken. I typed a great write up for today, but when I went to publish, my connection had been dropped. All my writing gone. But, nothing to do, but redo.
nd I gfe
You get the readers digest version though

Today was a Great Blue Heron day. Literally hundreds all day would pop up in fron of me. Osprey too seemed to be in abundance. Mile this morning came easy and I felt stronger. Lower back was better, but my mid back was talking to me. My lats and triceps as well. The 3rd day is always when the body starts talking back to me. From here it should be easiier and the body getsused to the routine.
I made 12 or so miles before 10 am. Stopped and bought some hamburger buns for my PB&J. Poke my boat into a little cover in the town of Lenoir. Three men in a boat were trying to catch shad...or bait as they would call it. They said to paddle up that little canal and I'd get there in a couple hundred yards. Up I went, right through town, past the ball fields and tennis courts and to the culvert. I got out of the boat the sure enough, the store. Turned around and paddled back and I was on my way.
The afternoon was hot. I was starting to slow down so into the water I went. It was a good swim and gave my body a chance to stretch out and cool down. Refreshed and feeling stronger, I was off. The afternoon had long straights and wide shorelines. I don't like em as much. I like to look and see whats around the bend. With straights, you have to paddle a ways to see whats around the bend. So, I hammer out the first half and then they are only half as long. Works for me anyway.
Interesting math here. If I paddle at about 60 strokes a minute and average 4 miles an hour, how many strokes do I paddle in a day if I paddle 30 miles? First person to tell me gets a free Gold Medal Billy Bar!
Dodged a thunderstorm later in the day while approaching Kingston. Sought refuge in a very nice boat house. It gave me time to recharge a few things and rest some. The house it belonged to was up through the woods just a little ways and I could hear voices every now and then when the rain slowed. Anyway, I was poking around and realized they had a fridge...with beer. Ok, delimna. No, I didn't take the beer. Thought that wouldn't be the right thing to do. I need all the good karma and I don't think the good Lord would be smiling on me if I did that. So, instead, I left a note thanking them for the refuge and told them a little about the trip. Who knows, maybe they're reading this. If so, you might want to lock up that fridge!
After that I had one other storm, but hung out under a bridge till it passed. Passed the town of Kingston which from the river, looked like a golf course, but I did see a couple deer. They were looking at me like they were wondering what the heck I was. Kinda like the Spanish Conquistadors and their horses, but I was in the boat.
Past the town, I stopped for the night. Great campsite and good dinner of Cashew Curry with Couscous. Another wonderful meal by Hawk Vittles. Thank God I found them. My foood is ok, but his is great out here.
If you like the writings and haven't donated yet, I urge you to consider it. Remember, not only is it tax deductible, but it goes directly to students scholarships.
G-nite all...

2 comments:

scotto said...

great job billy,
keep up the good work, and the spm, which adds up to 27000 per day. enjoying the journal of your travels. wish I was there.

ppaul said...

Beefalo!!

What an awesome site!! I'm ashamed to say this is the first time I've checked it out in a looong while (and probably would not have remembered if I hadn't had lunch with Mike today!!). I forgot you were launching this past weekend, thank goodness Mike filled me in! I am so impressed with you and all you've done for your Dad. I know he must be looking down smiling and proud to say you're his son. I have been incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with such a caring, considerate, sincere, fun friend (would have added more adjectives but never got past the "C"s in my GRE studies!). What a joy it has been to keep in touch with you over the years. Your positive outlook on life has always been an inspiration to me, you never let bad things drag you down and always see the positives in situations, always a doer constantly looking to improve yourself and always available to help others, a great Christian example! Sorry for the sappy writing, will send more fun writings from now on! Look forward to your updates and can't wait to see you later this summer! Good luck with the trip and may God bless and watch over you every day. I'll be praying for a safe and fun trip!

Take care,
ppaul (or as I'm now know as old man provost)