This is the logbook of Carolyn Lambert and The Ohio River Lifeboat Project. Learn more about the project.

	October 12, 2006
			Hi all! We are having Homecoming Potluck Party at the Braddock Boat Ramp Bring some food or drink to share and a warm sweater! We'll see you at 7pm! here are directions: Take Braddock Ave towards the Rankin Bridge. Just before going over the bridge, make a right onto the main street of Braddock (still on Braddock Ave) Take a right on 9th, a left onto Washington, then a right onto 11th.
	September 25, 2006
			We arrived late last night- pushing ourselves so that we could go to the Brown County Fair with Julie. The marina was deserted. we pulled in to the spot i had before. There were a dozen pontoon boats, in various states of post-summer neglect. We walked through the small trailer park, each one with a sign saying something like" river rat lives here" or "bud light" up to the main street of ripley. i was hoping to buy a piece of chocolate cake, but there were only a bunch of bars there. Each one we peaked into, 3 or 4 pairs of eyes would peer out at us on the street. We decided upon Snappers, a big lodge, but only two women were in there. The bartender and her friend. I asked if there was anything to eat. The bartender offered leftovers from a bar-b-que for free: hot dogs, baked beans and something she called hoagie patties. I asked what this was. She quisically asked me didn't i know what a hoagie was? I said I thought it was like a sub. "Yes," she said. "So this is what's inside. They ran out of hamburger patties." pic: prize vinegar at the Brown County Fair
	September 19, 2006
			Madison, IN to Rising Sun, IN Top 6 Reasons we Love going up river 1. No need to change clothes (we already have them all on!) 2. We eat more to stay warm. 3. No mosquitos! 4. We REALLY appreciate the sunshine (when we see it) 5. Our food stays fresh longer. 6. We are getting closer to home!
	September 15, 2006
			Blue River, IN We nearly missed the boat kids altogether! Carolyn and I were at our customary stations as we motored past them. Carolyn was logging tapes with her headphones on and her laptop open, while I practiced the fiddle, steering the boat with my feet, both completely oblivious to their whistles and waves. A tow boat alerted us that there was a broke-down pleasure boat in need of a rescue (finally a chance to repay all the good river karma we have received!), but as we neared we saw a beautiful hand-hewn craft with our dear friends Caleb and Evan aboard. The boat kids are a crew of young people from Minneapolis who, for the past 6 years or so have been traveling the Mississippi and this year they decided to do the Ohio instead. We met them back in Pittsburgh this winter as they and the LifeBoat were making preparations. Caleb and Evan led us to their shantyboat camp on the beautiful Blue River and we passed a beautiful afternoon sharing food and river stories in the presence of silent fishermen and an enormous muskrat. That evening the rocking rafts added swing to our hips as we danced to brazilian dancehall music. We awoke to the sound of foghorns: our early start was thwarted by a dense fog that postponed our arrival in Louisville yet another day, but there were no regrets.
	September 13, 2006
			check out more photos on my flickr site.
	September 09, 2006
			Stefan and I woke up early this morning to the sound of a fishing boat motor in Old Shawneetown, Il. He grumbled, "Well, you don't need to set an alarm clock here.." as he pushed his way out of the rain flap. I was still face down on my mattress but when I soon heard a splash. I was impressed, as I always am when someone can go so quickly from a warm bed to a cold water immersion. I briefly considered doing it myself, as Marisa and I were in the habit of just a few days ago, but stopped short. Last night we went to bed at 10, after dinner on the boat, and a brief walk around Old Shawneetown, the oldest settlement in Illinois. Around midnight we were awakened by the sound of voices from the parking lot about 30 yards from us. Drunk and belligerent, I couldn't make out what they were saying, but the pitch went from arguing to loud talking and back again, with the occasional sound of breaking glass when a bottle hit the pavement. A few shots were fired into the air, and amazingly I kept dozing back off to sleep. Stefan did not. pic: recreational boaters on a place they call, High Bank, on the way to Evansville from Old Shawneetown.
	September 05, 2006
			Paducah, KY Ronny shows up around 8a.m with Matt Jones, another commercial fisherman. They'd both been up since 5. Ronny, I later learned, doesn't sleep much at all, because of back pain and the 20 cups of coffee he drinks every day. They piloted the boat up onto a flatbed trailer with some tires strapped onto it for cushion. I thought I was a good pilot, but these guys finessed this difficult manover with ease. We all went to breakfast at a truck stop while the water (an estimated 300 - 400 gallons) drained out of the leaky pontoon. Breakfast. Marisa, a vegan, had grapefruit juice; Ronny, steak and eggs; I two eggs over-medium with hashbrowns and a hotcake; while Matt and Stefan went for the breakfast bar. Stefan was introduced to grits, but didn't care for any. Matt enjoyed the opportunity to tease a Yankee and her foreign friend, wanted to tell Stefan and I the story of his old dog gumming a possom to death ("or was it drowning?", he mused) while Ronny impressed Marisa with his story of learning all the lines for his role of Romeo in the school play from repeated viewings of the film. At one point, I couldn't understand if Ronny was complaining about tourists or terrorists stealing fish from his nets. He repeated the word several times in his thick accent while I kept asking "tourists?" or "terrorists?" Our table of five, the only one in the deserted truck stop diner, was loud with laughter. Back at the boat Matt, Stefan, Marisa and I gave the usually submerged portion of the boat the equivalent of a pedicure. We scrubbed algae off the aluminum pontoons, checked the oil and waited for the welder while Ronny returned to the market to attend to his business. Julian Orange arrived with a generator in the back of his truck and removed the weld from the day before. We could see that the previous welders' attempt to fill in the hole had probably opened the hole a little wider. Julian cut two new pieces of aluminum to size and laid a beautiful bead of aluminum with a portable mig welder. Despite his time and craftsmanship he would not accept a dime from us in payment. pic: from top: water pours from valve in pontoon, Matt Jones shares his scrubbing secret, Ronny takes a minute to replace the pin in the prop, Julian stands by the now impermeable pontoon.
	September 04, 2006
			Metropolis to Paducah Joe and Jess managed to find us a welder and we had an appointment at 8a.m. A handsome young man met us at his families' business in Metropolis and made quick work of sealing our weld. We were on the river by 9:30! Yay Joe, Carl and Jess! We were met in Paducah by my German friend Stefan who had flown into St. Louis and driven down to meet up with us. We ran some errands for the boat at Big Lots, and went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, relieved to have escaped sinking so easily and with no time lost. But when Stefan drove us back down to the waterfront he announced in his distinctly German accent, "Your boat is sinking." And so it was. The pontoon seemed even lower than the previous night and here it was 9pm on Monday night of labor day weekend, I quickly called everyone in Paducah I could think of, but no one answered and I left messages. Denton and Rudy over at the Ingram facility brainstormed with us about how to stabilize the boat and keep it from going down overnight. Around ten pm, while Marisa and I ate chocolate wrapped in our sleeping bags, me facing the boat, her the Ohio, Ronny Hopkins, owner of the fish market called. Half an hour later he arrives with some big barge line and a fragrant cigar sticking out the side of his mouth. My hero! He strapped the waterlogged pontoon to the public dock with line that could never snap, and promised to return in the morning. pic: above: Joe and his cousin Carl assess the damage. below: Stefan and Marisa in Paducah
	September 03, 2006
			Cairo, IL to Grand Chain, IL Morning found Marisa revived! We invited Charles Koen, a local leader in the civil rights movement to meet us for breakfast at the Nu Diner. Bob dropped us off there after a brief stop at the southern most point of Illinois, where the mighty Mississippi meets the beautiful Ohio. Sitting in the Nu Diner I was thwarted while attempting to insert a new disc in my borrowed recording device! I could see a part inside sticking out where it shouldn't have been, but as it was there was no way for me to record the interview with Koen. We called and cancelled. Defeated, we walked down to the boat, pulled in our lines, and waved goodbye to Bob. Not a few feet from shore we realized the boat was leaning heavily to the port side. The pontoon clearly had suffered a blow from the concrete levee and was partially full of water. Knowing that I would not find the necessary help in Cairo, (I needed a pontoon trailer to pull me out of the water and bring me to a welder) I headed upriver. At first we were getting 5 miles an hour, which was a good speed for us, but the second hour we only got 3 miles. We pulled over at a ramp below Olmstead and found 3 fisherman who knew someone with a pontoon trailer a few miles upriver. I called and warned him it would take me a couple hours to get up there. Jess, the lockmaster at Lock 53 locked us through, although 53 was not locking that day. Other boats were passing through over the wicket dam, but the current was quite strong and our weakened boat never could have made it. Jess made an exception for us. We limped up to Grand Chain where Joe Joiner met us in his stylish pontoon. Jess came up from the lock (he was nervous we weren't going to make it) and Joe's cousin Carl help to load our pontoon onto Joe's trailer in the dark. pic: above: southernmost point of Illinois, and boat at Olmstead ramp.
	September 02, 2006
			Cairo, IL The worst night of mosquitos I have ever experienced: numerous, noisy and insatiable. I slept with my sleeping bag on and my sheet wrapped around my head, with a little gap for breathing (I woke with a mosquito bite on my lip). To avoid being knocked against the levee all night with wake from the ever-active tow boats, we slept on the KY side of the river, across from Cairo. Marisa woke up nauseous and exhausted. She lay in bed and I called to cancel our morning coffee appointment. After a couple hours Marisa convinced me that she would be just as fine sleeping beside the levee as on the Kentucky bank where we had spent the night. I left the slumbering and sick Marisa and met Bob Conroy, a retired high school basketball coach at the Elks Lodge (did I mention I am an Elk?). He gave me a tour around town and told me his story of having grown up in Cairo, and having the option of staying and working at the high school instead of being drafted. He introduced me to his neighbor, Vernon Stubblefield, a local social worker and recreational fisherman who helps teens stay away from drugs and too-early sexual experiences. Bob invited us to stay at his house and we gratefully accepted. Marisa collapsed in one of the spare rooms while Bob got take-out. He and I watched part of a Notre Dame football game together while Marisa slept. pic: Vernon Stubblefield.
	September 01, 2006
			Cairo, IL We arrived in Cairo on a beautiful afternoon of September 1st. The waterfront was bustling. But the inside of the riverwall was quiet, beautiful, and haunted. I had been told that Cairo was a ghost town, that I needn't bother going there, and that I should be careful there. We found was a town still bearing the scars from civil rights era conflict, a town the 4 lane interstate makes easy to avoid, a town rich in history, a town with few opportunities for young people, a town isolated by its own 22 mile floodwall. pic: inside and outside Cairo's floodwall
	August 30, 2006
			Paducah, KY Today, first mate Marisa and I will wait five or six hours to lock through. 52 and 53 are the last locks and dams on the Ohio. These are the old wicket style locks which consists of large wood pallets which get raised and lowered by a boat/platform. They go up when the river is low, to hold more water in and they are lowered when the river is running high to not inhibit water flow. Sometimes the towboats and their tows can flow directly over them, called "passing over," but the water is low now and the tows are forced to pass through the usual lock chamber. This is an important and busy passage. Lock 52 is just 42 miles east of the Missippi. Lock 52 though is undergoing some repairs on one of its lock chambers. This and the low river level have resulted in a huge back-up in the Paducah area; dozens of tows waiting their turn, this morning the count is 56 tows.* Hundreds of thousands of tons of material- grain, coal, chemicals that it is days to weeks late in reaching their goal. An unofficial source said that it hasn't been this backed up and delayed since 1984. The Army Corp of Engineers is working on a new lock which will replace both of these wicket dams. *A quick explanation: the barges, tied together is called the tow and the boat which pushes them is called the tow boat. pic: Last potluck- organized by the EJ of the River Heritage Museum
	August 28, 2006
			Paducah KY Len Williams picked me up at 8 a.m. in his green truck and drove out to a local fishmarket in Ledbetter KY to start the day. Williams is a commercial fisherman and trapper who works on the Cumberland, Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi rivers and on the nearby lakes. Ronny Hopkins owns a fish market that distributes thousands of pounds of fish a day to various retailers around the country. They let me observe the market and go fishing with them. br> Today we were collecting small catfish and some buffalo fish from hoop nets the guys had set a few days before. They bait with a sack of soybean chips, byproducts from a soybean processing facility. The two collected around 650 lbs of fish from 12 nets, which was not a great day. They said 1000 lbs would have made a good day. Many people are unaware of commercial fishing on the Ohio and these guys seem to like it that way. It keeps down the competition along with complaints by sport fisherman that they are depleting their stock. "That's a misconception, " said Williams who refutes those claims. "We are not interested in sport fish such as bass and the type of tackle we use isn't made to catch game fish." pic: Len and Ronny empty a net into a holding tank on Ronny's flatboat
	August 26, 2006
			We wake with the sun rise which it does directly across the river from us. Swallows are diving for bugs on the surface of the water. I put on water for the tea. And each of us stretches, puts away our bedding and one sweeps while the other throws the waste water in the bushes, or puts away the rain flaps. We don't have a routine, but know the things that need done, and casually, amidst the inspection of new spiders webs and admiration of the sunrise- they get done. Somewhere above Cave-In-Rock, IL Last night was the most pleasant sleep. I was only awakened twice. Once by the mosquitos (got inside our netting) and once by the beam from a barge sweeping the river looking for obsticles in its mid--night journey. We pulled the boat over on a sandy bank surrounded by two-story boulders. We talked about making a fire. There was plenty of drift wood around. But after swam and bathed. We talked and listened and set up our beds while darkness settled in. pic: Carolyn at the mouth of the cave, Cave-In-Rock, IN
	August 24, 2006
			I feel no sense of nostalgia here. The land opens up on either side of us (Indiana and Kentucky) in flatness and hills. It is hazy, which is something of a rule here- perhaps just around the river. Cornfields on either side of the river but no side of the farmhouses. We are far from everything. Trying to make 70 miles today, including a lock. I cannot identify all the trees here on the bank. Sicamore, I think and willow and maybe others that I should know, but don't. The river is wide here. It opens wide in long stretches and closes around the bends. If we had motor trouble out here- we'd have to wait for a barge to help. There's really no houses, no boats, no cell phone service.
	August 20, 2006
			Between Cannelton Lock and Owensboro, KY We faced the worst storm of the trip last night as winds woke me from sleep at about 3a.m. I scurried to velcro the rain flaps into place, fighting against the strong wind that preceded the full force of the storm. The boat was tied to a dead upright tree (the closest thing to us on the sandy beach below Cannelton Lock) and also anchored into the beach at a 45 degree angle. Robin woke up and helped pull the rain flaps into place. We rushed to gather any objects we wanted to keep dry and stow them inside waterproof boxes. Almost as soon as we had the rain flaps up the storm broke with rain pounding and lightning and thunder just overhead. The boat rocked dramatically, having been pushed sideways against the sandy bank, and threatened to tip over. We pulled the center bimini open to let the wind pass through and release the pressure against the boat. Rain poured in and soaked the deck. We watched the drama of the storm, sitting up on our cots, shivering in our wet pjs. When the wind died down we rearranged the lines anchoring us to the beach, changed into some dry clothes, and tried to get back to sleep. This morning, about 10 miles into our trip, the motor made a gagging and choking noise. We turned it off immediately and "trimmed up" the motor, exposing the propellor which had a fine red fishing line wound around it. I jumped into the water and with a sharp knife (provided by Wolf) I cut through the layers of fishing line that had so tightly wound themselves around the prop. Line is the most dangerous hazard to the motor. It can burn out a boaters motor pretty quickly. We were relieved that the motor started up quickly and with no indication that it had been harmed.
	August 19, 2006
			On days that aren't too hot, cicadas pump out their methodical buzz all day. Robin joined me in Louisville and we are now in a rural stretch between Indiana and Kentucky, trying to put 70 miles behind us, which is more than I have ever successfully done in one day. It's overcast and we are expecting showers which could slow us down, but no wind yet. The "Clyde Butcher" of Inland Marine, a large beautiful towboat, is passing us with a load of 14 barges, most of which look empty. Last night we pulled into Brandonburgh KY with just a breath of gas left in the tank. We got two rides to the local gas station, filling up our little 5 gallon canisters and replentishing our supply. Robin (having just returned from Thailand) made a delicious fermented tea leaf salad and Thai iced tea. We went up into town to wander and found ourselves drawn by the bright lights of a high school football game. When we started our walk, a crowd of teens had been hanging out along the river. As we headed back to the boat, we noticed that the crowd had substantially increased in number. Robin said "We should come down here and interview these kids- they're hanging out by the river." I was tired, but agreed. Returning with mic in hand, we found the kids curious and drunk. They were high schoolers and college students back home on summer break. Some wore confederate flags on their baseball caps and cowboy hats. We asked about the significance of the symbol and they spoke openly about the racism in their community, trying to explain their racism. I asked one young man what the confederate flag meant to him. He responded "It means I hate n-----s." pic: Brandonburgh teens
	August 12, 2006
			Madison, IN High above the river, a peach orchard overlooks the Ohio River. The temperature from the river at Reeds Orchard, a 5th generation family farm, keeps the orchard a few dependable fog in the autumn which wilts the tobacco, making it possible to bale for shipping and sale. pic: Migrant worker at cutting tobacco at the Reed Farm.
	August 08, 2006
			Rising Sun, IN Spent the entire day at the Grand Victoria Casino interviewing Captain Don. This- boat which is fully operable, no longer makes trips out on the river. Don regaled us with stories about his many years working on boats, starting at age 12, and including some years on the Delta Queen. His tenure there saw the first non-racially segregated boat crews and women working on the river. pic: Captain Don
	August 07, 2006
			In Transit between Cincinnati, OH and Rising Sun, IN Last night Malkah and I had our first scuba diving experience. We geared up on the KY side of the river and slowly walked backwards into the Ohio. Once our goggles were underwater- there was no visability at all- unless Wolf, our guide, put his hand right in front of our face. As we stepped backwards into the river, slowly getting deeper, the light diminished, giving us thicker and thicker shades of muddy green. pic: Malkah interviews professional diver, Wolf
	August 06, 2006
			Little Miami River, California OH- just east of Cincinnati Malkah and I are resting on the banks of the Little Miami after 5 very busy days in Cincinnati. Our mission today is to eat some of the food left over from the potlucks and to relax. Malkah has her book propped up on her legs but she is fast asleep in the sun. She arrived on the boat straight from 6 weeks of teacher training (she was teaching the teachers) for Teach for America. The little Miami is one of hundreds of streams and creeks and smaller rivers that flows into the Ohio. We met Harriet, a Cincinnati kayaker here yesterday via our respective vessels and she pointed to this bank as her favorite kayaking destination. She sometimes takes her breakfast here and in the fall, watches all the little fish which fill the clear little river. pic: Malkah and me
	August 05, 2006
			pic: Potluck in Cincinnati
	August 01, 2006
			Just below Meldahl Dam. There is a thick cover of fog laying on the river this morning but I was grateful to sleep-in anyway. I'm wearing freshly laundered pajamas and sleeping was comfortable- usually it is a little to hot or too humid or both. I've gotten used to it, but its delicious to pull the sheets and sleeping bag up around me. About a mile below me is a large upbound tow, also pulled over on the KY side. This makes me nervous and I wonder if i should have picked my camp closer to the dam. The barges pull over when it is foggy and would not have been able to see my running lights- boaters have to be very cautious about where we camp because a barge could just come along and crush you without even knowing it. Closer to the dam would have ensured my safety because a barge would not have wanted to make so tight a turn going into the lock. pic: sign in front of the Minor House, Augusta, KY
	July 30, 2006
			Ripley, OH I love Sunday nights at a marina. Everything is quiet. The boats are tied up, the biminis down or raincovers on. Jet skis are neatly in their compartments. The cicadas are loud now in the heat of summer, but not so loud that I can't hear the crickets. The restaurant, called "The Home of The Quackers" is closing up having done most of it's business at lunch at the two servers sit inside counting their tips and finishing up a conversation they started a couple hours ago. My boat is a bit of a mess. Wet clothes and towels hanging from every clear spot. Dishes are a lot easier now that I don't feel compelled to boil water each time. Ripley is now one of my favorite towns on the Ohio River. it has nearby swimming, library, and recycling and laundry facilities very close to the water. And if you happen to catch the farmers market on Saturday you have hit the jackpot. Be sure to buy Kale and shitake mushrooms! There is also one of the drive-through places to buy beer in the middle of town, they they are more like a convenience store- super friendly and sell everything from pickled eggs to chocolate syrup and ice. pic: Peggy Mills Warner is the thoughtful and welcoming docent at the Parker House- perhaps the only house museum of a black Underground Railroad Conductor?- email me if you know of another.
	July 28, 2006
			Portsmouth, OH I woke up this morning to whipping winds carrying the predicted storm from the West. I need to make 50 miles by this and then another 12 or so by night fall to be on schedule. It was still dark out, but I couldn't go back to sleep so I pulled the center bimini up and light and unearthed the velcro that Siobhan had cut into neat 1" x 3' strips back in Belpre. My handwork lit by the dock lights. I applied the strips to the center bimini and side flaps. It seems to work quite well- we were concerned about the adhesive velcro not adhearing to the vinyl. This keeps the center taut and not wipping around in the wind as it has been the last several weeks. It does leave a gap of about 8 inches between the rear bimini and below the aft-most framing of the center. This may require sewing on another little flap. I have mosquito and black fly bites on my hands and ankles and it's hard to resist scratching the skin away. I am still not using mosquito netting because I think they are taking their bites of me mostly during the mid-day when i am hot and stinky. Last night I was missing Siobhan and my boyfriend back in Pittsburgh and feeling the weight of not even being 1/3 of the way into my journey. I was a little homesick. At the scuffing sound of little paw prints i turned to find Anchor, the Beagle/Pittbull puppy belonging to the owners of the marina trotting out to greet me. he snuggled up, checking me out, then began to pull and play with me, softly biting my hands and wrists and climbing all over me. I imagined kidnapping him. pic: Anchor
	July 27, 2006
			Portsmouth, OH I love my boat.
	July 26, 2006
			In between places I have pulled over just a few miles from my destination because of high winds. There are white caps in the center of the river and my boat was progressing very slowly into the winds so I made a 90 degree turn behind some cells to wait out alongside some willows. A barge goes by, the Jacob Michael Eckstein. I passed it an hour ago as I headed into the Green-up lock and dam. Wake from the Eckstein quickly turned the boat parallel to the bank which is now pinned to the bank with both the anchor and the wind. I am longing for some chocolate, but there is none on board. I will make do with some black coffee. pic: LifeBoat hiding behind the cells.
	July 24, 2006
			Franklin Furnace, OH As David Thompson, a former deckhand and new friend, and I were splitting a late night snack of pizza, I had a view of the river from inside the Holiday Point cove. Suddenly the little opening in the cove was all lit up with a mass of yellow lights as the Mississippi Queen made her way upriver, briefly bestowing her midnight grace upon us. pic: Phil Hand, co-owner of the Holiday Point Marina shows me log books that his parents kept of their many trips on the Ohio River.
	July 20, 2006
			Huntington, WV Top seven Important things on the boat: Waterproof bags- it's obvious. Rubber soled sandles- I wear them everyday in and out of the water Tiny little one inch clamps- hold rain flaps together, chip clip, and clothespins Lavender essential oil- to take the itch out of the bug bites Cell phone- boring i know, but I couldn't make connections with people without it Bike- get around town- do errands Wind-up flashlight- never needs batteries. pic: Siobhan interviews Steve Hutchison
	July 18, 2006
			Pomeroy, OH pic: famous local Letart tomatoes in background
	July 15, 2006
			Muses' Bottom WV to Racine OH High waters, lots of debris. The lockmaster at Racine was surprised to see us and it took about an hour to dig through the logs, tires, branches and trash that collected under our boat. photo: Siobhan at dinner on boat, American Electric Power Company in background.
	July 14, 2006
			Belpre, OH to Muses Bottom, WV A long day of travel found us craving a swim. We picked Muses Bottom as a destination below Belleville Lock and Dam, and discovered it was a high sandy bank with a number of weeds attempting resettlement in the eroding embankment. We swam under an orange sunset but put up our rainwalls just in time for the biggest storm of the trip. Luckily our newly installed center bimini kept us dry during while Siobhan concocted a delicious dinner from what we had in the galley. Recipe for Curried Sweet Potato Latke's: 1 shredded large sweet potato approx 1/2 cup nutritional yeast approx 1/2 cup dried falafel mix (mixed with hot water until moistened) 1 T apple cider vinegar 1-2 T curry powder 1/2 tsp cayenne 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp salt form into patties and fry in vegetable oil pic: Carolyn checks out the planters at Muses Bottom
	July 13, 2006
			Belpre, OH I met up with Siobhan yesterday at the Blennerhasset Yaught Club. We got some groceries and worked on the center bimini (the roof). It was the second big storm of the trip. We were woken throughout the night by streams of water finding their way into the boat. Up early and headed to a cafe for free internet and to do more sewing on the bimini. pic: Sio and I wrestle with the roof
	July 10, 2006
			Vienna,WV Arrived at Neale's campground, only about 5 miles south of Marietta. The Neale's have been running a family towboat business from Vienna, WV for three generations. I interviewed Charles, Rick, and CR, the youngest member of the family to join the business. He is still in college, 20 years old, and been on the tow barges since he was 5. pic: Rick and CR
	July 09, 2006
			Marietta, OH Went for my first swim in the Ohio River with Curt Alden. Curt works for the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities which among lots other really cool things operates the Marietta Harbor through their partner non-profit organization WASCO Inc. http://www.wcbdd.org/the_marietta_harbor.htm pic: me and Curt
	July 07, 2006
			I delayed my arrival to Marietta by one day because Capt. Jamie called last night and reported high waters with a lot of debris. Instead I went from Wheeling Yaught Club, mile 90 to Proctor Point, mile 122. Lots of coal and hulking relics of Industry. I also got to see some beautiful little pontoon houseboats. Yay!
	July 06, 2006
			Jack at the Jim Kenny Marina an expert at cataloguing the old boats.
	July 05, 2006
			Wellsville, OH After only 1/2 an hour trip down river I was met at the Jim Kenny Marina by Pat Ready, Brass and Bonny Beresford and Pat's sister Mary Jane. Self-described "busy retired people", they knew everyone in the A.M. Diner (Wellsville's population hovers around 8000). Fourth of July flags hung all the way down the 3 mile main street which is a series of old wood and brick buildings. There's a number of conservation efforts going on: the River Museum, the firehouse, a spacious Carnegie Library, the Episcopal Church. But with approx. 40% of the population retired, I wondered, who will inherit this beautiful little town?
	July 04, 2006
			Bill Price picked Jennifer and I up at the marina where it was pouring and we were achy and soaked after a night of blowing rain. We spent a delightful morning on Bill and Mary's sternwheel which he and his son made from scratch. Mary treated us to ample bacon and sausage and we talked about 40 years of their marriage and life on the river while my wet sleeping bag tumbled in the drier. Bill owns A,M & O towing and brings his stern-wheel to local festivals intent on preserving the memory of the Ohio River stern-wheel. In the afternoon I set about to assemble the middle bimini (roof) for the boat. Newly motivated from the night before I soon found I had a crew of willing helpers. pic: ben, nick and Carolyn(under the cover)
	July 03, 2006
			Jennifer Jordon from WYEP is joining me, she has a lot of ease with the mic and questions and is giving me a good example. Just after we left the Dashields Lock and Dam at mile 8 we met up with crew of the Dickhonor once again. Captain Jamie insisted we drop by for some of his famous shrimp gumbo. He had frozen it and packed it in a Cool Whip container. We swung up alongside them and were met by Billy who affixed an Ingram Flag to our Starboard side. Kenny and Danny were interviewed by Jennifer and we took turns using the facilities.
	July 02, 2006
			I am exhausted from a busy and stressful exit from Pittsburgh. Everyday for the past month has a been a race from one activity to the next trying to ready myself and the boat for this long journey so when I awoke this morning at 8:15. I was grateful to have slept so long. As with camping, one cannot sleep much after it gets bright out and the early morning haze helped a bit. Several people from the marina welcomed me with offers of help "Is there anything you need?" Well sure, I said, I need to fill this propane tank and I need a sewing needle. I was promised an even larger propane tank and the sewing needle appeared within a few minutes. Joy (aptly named) was very fascinated with my boat and particularly the handmade furniture.
	July 01, 2006
			Shelly said "Better you than me- be safe!" Rick said, "You'll never get through because started the Regatta already" Greg didn't said anything. I gave Earl a kiss on the cheek, and jumped aboard. When we left Allegheny Marina around 2 today, my friend Evan and I were sent off with cheers and horns. Nearly everybody at the Marina had witnessed Jen and I working on the mean old deck a year ago when I first brought the boat to the marina. They were astounded that I was actually fit to go. My exit from my dock was less than graceful and did not inspire confidence. Most people at the marina think I'm a nice girl but don't think I'll make it... Evan, an accomplished boater from Minneapolis, gave pointers all the way up the 10 miles of Allegheny and Ohio river to Allstates Marine in Sewickley, PA. I was super grateful for his calm directions and help through the first lock. He gave pointers on finding the sweet spot in my throttle to save on gas, approaching high wake, debris in the water, and "spinning out" to make a quick turn. Evan and his friends, a group of about 20 creative and adventurous souls are all building or retrofitting their own boats and will travel slowly and in tandem down the same Ohio River Route as I will. They will leave in a few days and I will probably not see them till I am on my way back up in early September. When I do- I will try to stay with them for a couple days and learn about their journey. picture: Evan and Earl
	June 27, 2006
			Woke at 5:45.a.m. for the start of the morning shift. The tow boat crews work in 6 hour shifts for 28 days and then are off for 28 days. The boat runs on central time, so breakfast is a 5a.m. for them. 6 for me, luckily! Mary, the cook, made french toast, bacon, 2 kinds of sausage, grits and eggs to order. I had mine fried and a little runny and it was the best egg I've had a in a long time (sorry dad!). The crews take their meals in shifts when the crew that's coming on duty eating first, followed by the crew that is coming off duty. Ron, the Dickhoner Pilot was remarkable cheery for someone who had just worked 11pm to 5a.m. He told me about his wife who is also a Pilot for Ingram Barge, on the lower Ohio. There are not too many women pilots, captains or even deckhands. I hope to meet her and interview her. picture: Captain Jamie in the Emsworth Lock
	June 26, 2006
			TowBoat Overnight I arrived to the the Ingram Port at 9:30pm on Monday night and called Captain John of the Captain Chad (Captain Chad is the name of the tow boat) to give me a ride out to the Dickhoner. I was waiting in the parking lot when the Captain Chad arrived, pushing just two barges into the Dravosburg Port. Out of the darkness a spotlight scanned the loading dock and blinded my boyfriend Nathaniel and I with it's heavy beam. Two muscular, sun burnt men in bright lifejackets ambled toward the front of the barge and tied in then handed me a lifejacket. Bill at Ingram had advised it would be like staying at a hotel- just bring a toothbrush and a change of clothes.
	June 24, 2006
			June 24th. First barge encounter on the rivers. I had to leave the dock really early to get over to the Carnegie Library for my Storycorp interview at 9:30. I overtook one barge and soon saw another one coming towards me: a tow boat with 4 barges abreast.
	June 23, 2006
			June 23rd Woke up in Braddock after having a very small potluck the night before but a very restful sleep- could it have been the wine? John Fetterman, the Mayor of Braddock, supporter of my project, brought coffee and a bagel to start me off. I had to motor all the way back to Allegheney Marina because I had left my cell phone in the car :(.
	June 21, 2006
			3rd potluck: Nadja from StoryCorp came. She invited me to come to the booth and be interviewed about the project. I go on Saturday.
	June 20, 2006
			2nd potluck: Wow- everyone actually arrived on time. We had delicious salads for dinner and talked about medical emergencies. First aid kit anyone?
	June 19, 2006
			1st potluck: Yay! Lauren and I didn\'t invite anyone until this afternoon but still we had about 20 people celebrate our first potluck. A group of boaters from Minneapolis and their friends came by with fruit, chips and salsa and beer! Evan, Paula, Ben and Caleb are a core group of experienced boaters who for several years have been making multi-month trips down the Mississippi in their collectively made river-craft. This year they are beginning from the Ohio. Hopefully I will see a lot of them this summer.
	January 01, 2006
			check out some more images on my flickr site.