July 16, 2022
Saturday
LRM 878.5
1417 miles completed
I paddled 11 miles today,
I met Joe Marvin, and went to Tiptonville, Tennessee.
Bud Henry picked me up at the Hunter Lodge in Marsten and took me to the Dollar General store. While I shopped for supplies while he retrieved my kayak and gear, and re-filled my water jugs. Then he took me to a boat ramp and helped me launch.
There was a tour boat at the main ramp letting tourists visit the New Madrid historical site. Bud works there as a guide. Since that boat ramp was occupied by the tour boat, I had to launch at a different boat ramp that was a little bit farther down behind the island. When I left, instead of paddling upstream to get back in the channel I continued around the island. However, at the south end of the island I encountered a dike that almost completely crossed except for short section in the center. Due to the current, there was about a 4 foot drop with much turbulence. Also, there was no place to portage on either side. So I chose not to attempt to ride over the 4 foot drop. I paddled back two miles upstream to go back around the island. As a result I lost two hours.
I Camped across from Tiptonville shoot call sandbar.
Enjoy Leland and be safe 🚣