I was eager to make some miles so I was up at 6 and left Buck Creek at 6:30.  On Sunday, I had called Sarah and set Owensboro as the target site for her to pick me up.  Then, of course, I had a goal and couldn't wait to get there.  I thought I might be able to find a motel for Wednesday night and rest up a bit if I got there early.  Besides, I was well-aware that something could happen to prevent my timely arrival.

The leak still bothered me, but I was feeling some better about it.  I only bailed 2/3 bucket of water out from overnight.  It was still aggravating, but not dangerous.

The day began, as it so often does, with a flat calm on the water.  It was also very foggy.  In fact, there were times I could not see the other river bank.  But the temperature was 70 degrees which was nice.  I could barely pick up the weather channel which said that Ft. Knox, near me, reported fog with visibility of only 1/16 mile.

7:10 Towboat #51 - WKN

7:45  Towboat #52 - Pamela L

I saw a beached refrigerator that floated down river.  A little later I saw a box freezer in the shallows.  Other interesting items of trash I saw on the trip include:
basketball
tennis ball
football
volleyball (but it didn't have a face painted on it like Tom Hanks had in Castaway)
butane bottle
hardhat
two truck tires with rims
lots of dead carp
But on the whole, I didn't see a lot of trash.  Lots of limbs and tree trunks, but not really a lot of trash.

For some reason, Beneath the Banner of the Cross came to mind, and became the song for the day:

There's a royal banner given for display
To the soldiers of the King;
As an ensign fair we lift it up today,
While as ransomed ones we sing.

Marching on, marching on,
For Christ count everything but loss!
And to crown Him King, we'll toil and sing,
'Neath the banner of the cross!

Though the foe may rage and gather as the flood,
Let the standard be displayed;
And beneath its folds, as soldiers of the Lord,
For the truth be not dismayed!

Marching on, marching on,
For Christ count everything but loss!
And to crown Him King, we'll toil and sing,
'Neath the banner of the cross!

8:40  Towboat - Jerry Tinkey / Ingram Barge Co

At 9, I refilled with gas and saw a sailboat coming up the river.  It was a serious sailboat about 35 feet long and even had radar.  The name was Dream Volvo.  I tried to hail him on the radio but no luck.

8:50  Towboat #54 = Rosston B

At 9:20 I saw another passenger riverboat coming around the bend.  At first I thought it was another steamboat paddlewheeler, and thought they may be having their annual paddlewheel festival in Cincinnati.  But as it got closer I could tell it wasn't one.  But I couldn't exactly tell what it was.  Then as I passed it I discovered it was a passenger barge called "The River Explorer."  It was just a big barge with passenger cabins built on it being pushed up the river by a towboat.  It had a big banner on the side listing it's web site at www.riverbarge.com.  Later, I went to the site and discovered that they were taking the route from St. Louis to Cincinati, May 31-June 8, a 9 day trip starting at $2,250.  The passengers all waved at me and I waved back.  I am a waver.

The River Explorer

After all these days alone, I found myself singing more aloud to myself.  My repertoire ranged from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" to "Onward Christian Soldiers."  At least I was singing to an appreciative audience.  And I was talking aloud to myself a lot more.

At 9:50, I passed mile 666 but didn't see anything demonic!!!

At 10:50, I had enough wind to put the mainsail up.  By 12, I had a big wind blowing, but it was a steady wind which was very manageable.  I had some trouble avoiding all the logs in the water today.  The sun came out, and I actually felt hot for the first time on the trip.

As the wind increased, I found myself trash talking to the wind.
"Come on, now, take your best shot."
"Gimme some more of that wind."
"Is that the best gust you can give?"
"Here I'll give you a free shot at me on the port tack."

1:00 Towboat #55 - Senator Stennis

1:15 Towboat with no name posted #56.  I waved and he tooted his horn - the only one to acknowledge my presence.

2:30 Towboat #57 - Debbie Sharp

4:45  Towboat #58 - Armold M. Mulzer

5:50  Towboat #59 - John A Tager

6:00  Towboat #60 - Donna Rushing

6:15  Towboat #61 - Robert M. Kopper

About 2, the wind really picked up and for four hours I bashed against very high waves in steady 15 mph winds.  This is the widest part of the Ohio River, like a huge lake with lots of room for the waves to build up.  It was an exhilarating ride!  The front of the boat rose 6 feet and smashed into the next wave.  But I had everything under good control with steady winds and really enjoyed the sail.  Those 4 hours of really great sailing made the whole trip worth it!  Maybe I am just getting more used to the boat.  I think that is a big factor.  It is really not good to take an untried boat on such a trip.  But it is a great way to speed up the learning curve.  At 6:40, I finally wore it out.  Only 5 mph winds were left.

I was graced by four butterflies today.

At 7:30, I anchored in Millstone Creek just before the Cannelton lock and dam.  This creek was just big enough for me to swing all the way around at the anchor, but there were thunderstorms in the area so I put out two anchors.  Millstone Creek had houses about 30 yards up the bank and docks all along it.  It was the first time for me to anchor out in a somewhat busy creek.  I had a couple of boats pass by heading to their home docks up stream.

Millstone Creek

As I settled in for the evening, I took one gallon sponge bath in the cockpit, trying to be as modest as possible.  It was the first night warm enough for a bath.  Then I got out the Coleman burner and cooked for the first time on the trip.  I carefully set the burner up and warmed up a can of beanie weenies and a can of green peas, cooked in their own cans after I removed the paper.  For most of the trip, I was too exhausted at the end of the day to bother to cook, or to even care much about food.  But tonight the warm food was just right!

About 9:30, the thunderstorm approached with some strong winds blowing.  As I looked out the cockpit, I noticed fireflies in the trees - hundreds of them.  They were clinging to the limbs in the wind and flashing like crazy.  It was an amazing sight with so many lights twinkling in the trees.

Mile 717 Millstone Creek
Mile 647 Buck Creek
          70 miles made good today

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