The logistics of this trip were bad. I just could not figure a better way to do it. After a couple of days in New Orleans, Lijun flew home and I flew to St Louis via Dallas. I picked up my truck and trailer that I left in storage by the airport and headed south. I spent the night in Cape Girardeau Missouri and made it all the way to Venice the next day. I loaded my boat and spent the night near New Orleans.

The next day the trailer broke right away. This called for a repair in the Home Depot parking lot while day workers hung around looking for work. A few complimented the boat and on the way out I gave them a bin of my remaining supplies of tuna and rice and such.

On I went reaching Chattanooga, Tennessee before sunset. I really wanted to visit the battlefields of Chattanooga and Chickamauga but it was late. A famous part of the battle was Lookout Mountain. I could still do that so with the setting sun I drove up a mountain towing my boat.

I reached home the following night and left Little Joy in the street and had a great homecoming with my wife.

I survived another mid life adventure. I know it is selfish to do these trips when I could be doing other things but I am compelled to do them. For all the hardships on the river and my neglect at home it is all worth it. I do get great satisfaction and feeling of strength that I don’t otherwise get in normal life. I do not know how many more of these I got in me but I am grateful for what I’ve been able to do so far.