Somewhere in Mississippi across the River from Arkansas City, Arkansas
October 13, 2019

Dear Family & Friends:

October 12 was the bluebird weather day I had dreamed about over the last week. Sunny skies. Cool temps. No wind. Fast current. Few towboats and almost no wing dams.

I felt like I was flying down the Big Muddy. In six hours, I covered 36-miles. At 5 pm, I pulled off the River and set up a campsite in front of another beautiful riverside home. I knocked on the door to seek permission, but no one was home.

I cooked a nice pasta dinner and enjoyed it while a dog guarding a nearby home barked at me incessantly. I tried to make friends, but he kept his distance. It was getting really cold so I climbed into my sleeping bag at 9:30 pm.

I woke up at 10:30 pm to the headlights of a car facing my tent. The driver asked if I was okay and invited me into his home. I gladly accepted the invitation.

Ed Robinson and his friend, Hunter Gramling, had been deer hunting. It is bow hunting season in Mississippi. Ed is an insurance broker and Hunter is the son of his good friend. Hunter is seeking a commercial pilot’s license.

The first thing I did was take a much needed shower. Ed served me steak strips and a glass of Dry Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Hunter quickly fell asleep, and Ed and I talked until nearly 2 am. He told me to make myself at home and stay as long as I like; and he offered to take me into Greenville if I need provisions.

Ed had received a call from a woman living alone two houses down the dirt road. She reported possible riff-raff camped in his front yard. I’m really sorry I caused her angst.

In the morning, I drove into Greenville with Hunter. He showed me around town and we picked up breakfast at McDonalds.

All-in-all, a great day on the River and I met more fabulous people, which has been the best part of this adventure.

I was back on the River at noon.

I hope to make it to Vicksburg, Mississippi in three days where I will meet with Jill Upton, who promised to give me a tour of this historic city. Jill has been following my adventures over the years through my blog.

I’m slowly inching closer to the Gulf.

Bill

Ed’s home on the River

Ed & Hunter

Ed to the rescue

Waiting out the storm

Bill, Gus, Courtney, Ed & Redigo