August 2nd. Yea! It was an incredible day. In anticipation of the day, I thought it would be the best day ever, but my right arm got shorter and shorter as the day stroked on. I thought about my strokes. Kay and Pete figured I took approximately 28,000 strokes a day- and I took them all one stroke at a time. At 8:00, I start swimming. Sometime after 4:00, I stop. Then we ride the boat back to the starting point. It is always amazing to see have far I have swam...just one stroke at a time. When I get terrible worried about the River and our environment I am reminded of how far one really can go taking it one stroke at a time- one piece of litter at a time- one less chemical application at a time- one letter to a congressman at a time- one kind word at a time. The last day we docked at the Mermaid Marina. What a cool place. (I think my son feel in love with Mermaids.) There were a lot of nice, interested people waiting for us when we pulled in. I presented the owner with a sculptured mermaid pen that Janice, from "Access Family Pharmacy" in Chattanooga, went through hoops to get for me. A mermaid pen was presented to each of my crew as a reminder of this year's swim. I again want to thank the support of the TVA employees. For a lot of people the river is only an abstraction; but not for you all. Your river stewardship is appreciated. Please continue your environmental efforts. Many of you are "the voice of the river". Please do not become a part of the apathetic throng. It would be great to have an hour or so to write about the excitement of the last day. It would be great to fix my kids breakfast and exchange stories with them, BUT I have to go to work. It is also my husband's birthday, so somehow I have to get some shopping done. Gee, it is too bad you can't just send him flowers...maybe Steakout. Thanks for EVERYONE'S support and inspiring words. I will write more about the last day and next year's swim this weekend. mimi