Sep 22 - who's on the river

Since we left Saint Louis, 7 days ago, we've seen about a dozen people fishing from the banks, a half dozen cabin cruisers, a half dozen john boats, no paddlers. Recreational use of this river is astonishingly absent. Big tows though; a 35 barge one passed us today heading upriver.

Today we saw a fabulous sight passing our camp while we were preparing dinner: a probably home made pontoon raft powered by an outboard motor carrying a VW van, and two people on board. It was on the far side of the river, so we could only study with binoculars. Jim is sure it has a hinged ramp (like a car ferry) so they can pull up to a boat ramp and drive the van off the boat and into town. Our internet access here is marginal so I can't google to try to find their blog or Facebook page. We'd love to know more.

Stunningly good weather today. And a five star campsite on a newly emergent sand island (river mile 782). The water level continues to fall a foot a day, so a week ago this island was probably under water.

We're lucky to have iPhone with river gauge apps that show actual and forecast water levels at every gauge on the river. Otherwise camping on a sandbar would be more problematic when you don't know whether you will still be on dry land come morning.

We saw no towns today, and probably none tomorrow. This is an isolated stretch of river.

All is well. We're feeling healthy and strong, but gritty and getting a bit stinky now.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.744116,-89.856616(I+Am+Here+Monday+September+22+2014+08:03+PM)&iwloc=A&z=11