Stealth mode...The Rest of the Story

Again, the Mississippi has kept us captive within hits flooded banks.  Twenty miles up from Shelby Forest, we started looking for a campsite.  Nothing.  Nada.  The two potential sites were on the far side of the river, and were too far to reach in these fast moving waters.  There would be no possible way to round a bend see dry land and paddle a craft across without a couple mile downstream drift.  

Attempting to find some form of creative campsite, we paddled into the chutes north of Shelby Forest.  Found one decent site in the corner of a bean field, but with no way to get the boats up the six-foot bank, we had to remove this option from the table.  Strike three.  With one strike left, we decided to paddle on toward the Shelby Forest boat ramp.  We were hoping to find land access upstream a little.  With strike 3 taken, the boat ramp gave us our first opportunity to set foot on dry land since we left this morning.  

Now, for the rest of the story….

The Cruising for a Cure Expedition went into covert stealth mode , and now we must admit the truth.  We called for help.

Finding no suitable campsite at the Shelby Forest boat ramp, we called Mike Watson.  He and Ellen live nearby.  We asked them to please bring water (and fried chicken) because we had not been able to refill our water jugs for three days.  

After Mike and Ellen’s arrival, they offered to let us stay at their home.  We quickly agreed to this option and loaded our boats on his trailer.  Immensely enjoyed the night in their home.

This morning, (July 18th), Richard and I put in early, paddled back up river to where I turned SPOT off last night.  Now, as we paddle in at 11am, all will not know the truth until they read this blog.  Haha—looks like we pulled it off.  Thanks to the Watson’s, the crew from Adventureitus Productions, and a couple of other folks.