July 29th. 8 1/2 hours 19 1/2 miles. I worked hard today and was pleased with the results. It was an absolutely gorgeous day on the river. It is good to be out of the populated areas and into the quiet flow of the Tennessee River. The reflections off the water were awesome. I swam past the Chalk Bluffs. They reminded me of the Grand Canyon and of the Artist's Pallette hillside in Death Valley. It was an especially spiritual day on the Tennessee River with all her wonders and beauty. During today's swim, I memorized a Sioux prayer about the river. In part, it said "the river ceases to be never" and that it "remains the river forever." Unfortunately, an Indian of a hundred years ago might have believed that, but in today's world it is likely and highly probable that a river can cease to be. As droughts continue to plague us and our consumption of water continues to increase, more and more people are looking to the Tennessee River for water. It is rumored that Atlanta and Birmingham are anxious to pull water from the Tennessee River to feed their growing need for water...if allowed. The implications of such actions are frightening to me. In 1977, while going to school in Northern California, we had drought conditions and had water rationing. (The hottest product on the market was a foam spray for your toilet so you did not have to flush.) My father explained to me that Northern California's water was contracted to Southern California and that contract had to be filled. So we had rationing and Southern California did not. Could that happen to the towns along the Tennessee? Also, what about the environmental concerns? What about "dilution is the solution to pollution?" Is it possible to have a river that ceases to make it to the Ohio? As unrealistic as it may seems, it has happened to other rivers. When I was a little girl, we used to watch Western movies because my BIG brother liked them. Ranch wars over water rights seemed to be a common plot. As history continues to repeat itself we may see that plot return with a frightening reality. In the meantime, I will continue to read, research, question and learn so I can understand as much as possible about the situation. It is strange that even with seemingly so much water around us that water conservation is as necessary for us as it is for the people of the desert. Tomorrow I will not think about it. It will be another perfect day on the river and I want to enjoy every stroke of it. mimi