A Beautiful Reminder...Life is Short

Layne covered his lips with his finger in a gesture to be quiet. He whispers in my ear "there is something in there". We could see it walking our way now, only a few yards inside the thick undergrowth.

Layne Logue is paddling with me to Natchez. He is great at spotting creatures, small and large, that I would never know were stalking and closing in on our campsite across the river from the day marker and light at mile marker number 399.3.

Today has been a whirlwind of activities. Starting out with my awakening at 0400 (my routine starting time each day). I spend the extra morning time catching up on Facebook posts, emails, texts and messages. I also finish writing the daily blogs in the early AM. Today, however, was different. Richard was concerned that his symptoms of heat exhaustion still lingered. Thank God there was no signs of heat stroke.

Richard was awaiting results from some test the Doctors had given him the day before. He had heat exhaustion symptoms during the paddle into Vicksburg. While at the doctor’s office yesterday, he had been instructed not to paddle until the blood work test results were known. We expected to hear the results from the Doctor this morning.

Richard and I both packed as if both of us were paddling to Natchez. Tim brought us breakfast. The Shipley Donuts of Vicksburg are the best ever. Paired with fresh coffee, we got our gear loaded and off to the ramp before the 0800 interview with the Vicksburg Post.

A local youth with Type 1 Diabetes, following me on SPOT and her friend was there. She became part of the interview process. That was an emotional time for both of us. Here I am paddling for her, plus thousands of others so afflicted, and the mission may have to come to an end here on the boat ramp in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

GBA Dale Sanders with Type 1 Diabetic, Erica Gray, in Vicksburg, MS.

Its a battle every day.  I pray not to give up, our God will one day cure this and give all of us a bright and sunny day....we need a cure, world. please hear our cry....these are wonderful mans and I'm so thankful for them both much love Erica Gray

As the interview ended the test results were in. Richard was instructed not to paddle until further tests could be done. The doctor felt he would need to followup with with his doctor's at home in three or four days. This was yet another setback that was added to the emotional rollercoaster of the last two days. But Richard and I are survivors, and a solution was soon to be found. Several options were discussed. His plans now are to re-join the Cruising for a Cure Expedition downriver in a few days. Layne and I paddled out from Vicksburg at 1030 this am.

By the way, the creatures stalking us turned out to be a very large raccoon and two bucks.