June 21st. It is time to head out for the Clean Boating Campaign. My speech in hand and hopefully in my head. Wish me luck. There is unrest in my heart because so many people have invested a lot of their life to help me on this mission to swim the river, and nobody knows thier names. To list them would make this website look like the Superman movie credits. Perhaps if I thanked just a few ever-so-often? First of all, this website was constructed through the creative genius (and lyrical genius) of Robert Stapleton. Pat Hudson was instrumental in putting it together and continues to help. Our goal now is to get an educational packet together for parents, teachers and children. Hallalujah that we have the assistance of Linda Harris, an environmental genius and fantastic resource. Poor Pete Mangum has to put up with Pam and I for another year as he Captains the TVA support boat for his second year...we'll go easy on you Pete, I almost promise. And naturally, my thanks to TVA for their continued support in every aspect of this mission- a support I am honor to receive. SO! Last night on my run, I saw a beaver! Geez, it was fantastic to actually see a beaver in his natural habitat instead of at an aquarium or pictured in a book. (Actually I don't think I have seen one at an aquarium.) O.K., so pictured in a book. I watched him in frozen silence until he disappeared into his home. Seeing the beaver made my poison ivy itch less. As a reminder, please remember : Everything ends up in the River. Even the residue that we excrete from our prescription drugs ends up in our waterways. In some places, these residues are causing BIG problems with the fish. It is frightening how such a seemingly insignificant thing can be so devastating...there is just sooo many people. The more people, the bigger the impact. Thanks to alll.....mimi I will let you know Tuesday if I get tomatoed delivering my speech. I keep thinking of that castle scence from Monty Pyhton's Holy Grail....you know, where they throw cattle and stuff? The tomatoes are sounding better and better.