Oct. 6--45 miles

U 83 It seems weird that my mile location is only 2 digits. When Jenny and I started it was 4 digits. Northern Minnesota is a long way off. I guess that even at 4 MPH you can cover some ground in 7 weeks. The conditions were good today. I know that can't last for much longer so I'm in that "get it while the getting is good mode". I encountered many tow Boats today. The really big ones have 3 stacks (smoke stacks) I think that means there are 3 engines. I saw one today pushing 40 barges. The chaotic water behind these things is spooky. Ocean swells, white caps in all directions, whirlpools, it definitely focuses my attention. The boats going downstream have the right of way because it's difficult for them to stop. Upstream tows pull over and stop to allow downstream tows to pass. I got in a situation today where 3 upstream tows had pulled over to allow a downstream to pass and I got there as the 3 upstream tows cobbed there power to leave. I said "to hell with this crap" and found a beach, pulled over and ate lunch. I'm camped on an enormous sandbar tonight. Hey, one more thing. These tow boat captains have got to be talking to one another. Somebody please try to find out what frequency they're using.