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Thursday, October 18, 2001 - May the wind be always at YOUR back, because it's not at mine!
Hey all,
Well it's been awhile. I'm in Burlington VT, no Burlington Iowa. I was
in Oquawka yesterday, but they don't have a library. That is a shame,
they could use a library, but they do have 5 or so bars in 3 blocks. My
last email was a bit of a lie. Kate and I did stay in Cassville and it
is a wonderful town. The wind was so bad when we got back to the
boat that we would not have been able to get anywhere, so we got a
room at the Geiger House. It's a wonderful B&B run by Kathy and Lou.
Kathy was a wonderful host. And she can make a delicious breakfast.
Thanks for the mail in Cassville. Jenny I loved the photocopied story
you sent, it is so true! I stopped at the Oquawka Post office
yesterday, and the woman behind the counter was so excited about my
trip. She called the local paper editor who came down to take my
picture. I found out later that my fly was down. Damn!
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Oh? Your fly was down? At least you didn't, er... drop your
groceries.
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My only newspaper picture and my fly is down. I'm sure I won't make the
cover. I also got to meet the mayor. He was in jeans and a t-shirt and
he had just come from the bar. Oh I have found my dream job. I long
to be a small town Mayor. I had lunch at the bar recommended by both the
post office and the mayor and then bought some groceries. |
The wind has been so bad the last few days. Even a 10 mph head wind can
slow me to a crawl. But the wind has been between 10 and 25 mph. The
waves it creates are bigger then the canoe. So some days I just
don't get very far. I have also spent hours waiting for barges to
clear locks. The temp has averaged in the 50s or so and at night it has
fallen to 28. But I'm staying warm and still cruising along somehow.
Kate left on Tuesday but before she left we met a wonderful person
in Princeton, Iowa. A guy named Mike picked us up at a marine, took
us to his house, and gave us a warm bed, a warm shower, cold beer, and a
shot of Yukon. He made dinner for us and promised to make breakfast in
the morning, although his girlfriend did, because he didn't seem to
motivated. They were wonderful people and hopefully a new friend for
life. There are some amazing people out here; you just have to walk into
them.
Thanks for all the emails and letters. Every time I get to a computer
there are 20-30 wonderful messages waiting for me. They really make me
laugh out loud in the library, which I've gotten strange looks at for. I
do have one favor to ask. If you reply to one of my messages, please
delete my message. I'm saving the emails you all send and my folder is
filling fast, thanks.
One other request, to all "the sisters" (that includes you
mom), I have been craving those cookies grandma used to make with
the peanut butter cups in the middle. I know you all know how to make
them. If someone has a free afternoon could they bake a few and mail
them to me. The most loving Aunt will win a prize. I love you all very
much, and I may not be able to go on living without cookies.
To everyone else, Have a wonderful day and enjoy the changing leaves if
you can (they don't change in Texas and New Orleans). I'm ahead of fall
but it may catch up any day now.
As a wise man from state college said, "Let the wind take your
troubles away"
- Mine are quickly whisked away by 25mph winds
Brendan
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