Oct. 20th - Day 18 - Hickman, KY to Caruthersville, TN

Karla started the day out - we were on our way at about 7:30am! So Wade and I were able to sleep in until 10am, it was so great! I've slept so well every night! I think I've had like 2 unrestful nights the entire trip! Wade's snoring and Karla's heavy breathing doesn't even bother my slumber! haha! I wonder what sleeping back in my bed back at home will be like.... lol

Anyways - enough about my sleeping habits! I took over driving for Karla at 1030 - I took over just in time for the waves and splashes. Go figure. But they didn'tlast long! Got me wet, but by the end of my shift I was all dry again! The scenery isn't as pretty as the beginning - Iwoa was actually the prettiest state in my opinion! Which is wierd becasue I usually hate driving through Iwoa becasue its so flat and boring, but the view from the river is great! There are trees on iether side - I'd rather look at trees than a bunch of houses, so I'm not complaining!

Wade took over at 1pm and he drove until we got to Caruthersville, TN. We arrived there at about 3pm. It was too shallow up by the banks so Karla got out and pulled us (as shown) to a deeper spot so we could all get out without having to wear the big rubber boots! It's super muddy, and it's not fun tracking all that mud into the cabin - ugh! So we were able to tie the boat to land and anchore it off in the back so it wouldn't be pushed too far ashore.

With COTS all set for the night, we grabbed the gas cans and headed into town. We were walking down the street and came to a 4 way corner - unsure of which way we should go we chose left and started walking down - then a man came out of a insurance store and said, "Hey - are y'all lookin fer a gas station?" We told him yes and he continued, "well - you ain't gonna find a gas station that er way. There is a gas station bout a mile down that 'a way. I could give y'all a ride if you'd like - i got a small truck." We took him up on the offer - talk about southern hospitality! It was a small pick up, and only room for 2 people in the cab, so Karla and I got to ride in the bed of the truck! whoo! We got to the gas station and filled up the gas tanks. We trade off paying for gas tanks - so both Karla and I ended up filling up some gas tanks. We went inside to pay and we seriously stood in line for 10min! These people are so slow! lol An example is one guy bought a scratch game, scratched the card at the counter, 'then' moved. Karla and I felt so bad because this guy that gave us a ride was sitting out there waiting! But wasn't much we could do... finally we go through the line and got back in the truck. The man the drove us was very nice, he also gave us a ride to a auto store so Wade could get spark plugs for the motor. He even offered to take us to the grocery store, but we felt bad for as much time as we had taken up as it was! He took us back to the boat, but he went all out and drove us up on the grass straight to where we were so we only had to walk a little ways with the gas cans! Wasn't that sweet of him? I remembered to pray for him that evening! He earned my prayers! lol ;)

After the gas run we were about ready for food - so we walked up to a near Casino and had supper. It was pretty fancy and we lefted stuffed! Found out you have to be 21 or older to gamble in TN, which I found ridculous. Just had to add that... haha!

It has officially been the longest I have ever been without showering.... or washing my hair... I'm not bragging. lol It's horrible! It's been like over a week now I'm sure... We are hoping to be in Memphis on Thursday where there is supposably a marina with shower - can hardly wait!!!

Once we got back to the boat we straightened things up a bit, and got ready for bed and put on a movie. I fell asleep.... again...

By Jenny