July 21, 2003 Oh Boy, what a day. From the second my big toe hit the water, the swells started smacking me and continued throughout the day. There was no chance to memorize prayers or poems because every stroke was spent finding a safe time to take a breath. Billy's inspiration for the day was about working for a team and not for the name on the back of your jersey. It was the perfect thought for the day because my crew struggled more than I. They were tossed and turned, literally, all day. I expected at least one of them to toss their cookies, but no one did. Pete and Kenley took turns at the trolling motor, but nobody had time to rest. If you weren't trolling, you were trying to help steer. Unbelievably, it never stormed near us. The girl at the front desk said there was flooding all around us, but we got rain for about 5 minutes and then only unrelenting wind. When the day was done and we pulled into our boatslip at Kenlake, I asked if I could sleep on the boat, lacking the energy to walk to the Jeep. It was my daughter Kelsey's first day as my crewperson. She brought her summer reading hoping to get in a chapter or two, but she did not take her eyes off of me all day. What a great teenager! She heated up beans and salsa for dinner and said she would work on my shoulders when I finish up here. I cannot say enough about my crew today. It was totally miserable for them, and they never complained. We communicated well, worked hard and made 12 miles of progress downriver. I swam a lot more than that, it just wasn't in the right direction. If ever there was a day on the river I wanted to quit early and go home to lick my wounds, it was today; but just watching my crew work so hard toward our goal, gave me the energy to keep on. There were lots of prayers said by me, my crew, and many friends and family- thankyou. Eric, thanks for the warning and prayers. Tree, thanks for coming up and being so supportive, you know I love you. I cannot even imagine how tough it must be to have a wife like me! Kathy said she had a great conversation with you on the way home last night and said you were a kind, wonderful guy. It was nice to hear someone else say that, but me and the kids already knew it. I am going back to my room and preparing for tomorrow...I wish I had my Spongbob Squarepants. Take care, mimi