Thunderstorms rolling in as I awoke around 6. Layne’s family and I sat down to breakfast and continued some good conversation from the night before–absolutely great company. Layne hooked me up with a lot of good info/resources and I feel very confident going into the last leg of this trip.

We left around 730 for the ramp. With the radar showing tstorms for the next few hours I decided to lock up the boat and have him drop me off at the coffee shop a couple blocks away, Highway 61 Coffee. But not before getting a pic of me in front of the levee wall.

Photo courtesy of Layne Logue

Photo courtesy of Layne Logue

I walked into the coffee shop and found myself listening to The Doors on vinyl and being surrounded by vintage movie posters, and screening L’assassino on a projector–great chill spot. Double espresso for 1.50 too! So I put my feet up for a few hours reading some stories from my Mammoth Book of Endurance and Adventure. It definitely helps me through any sort of strife I encounter on this trip, as I know what I’m going through is nothing. Nothing at all compared to Ernie Shackleton or Thor Heyerdahl. Any self pity I feel about how hard it is, tired/sore I am, bugs there are, etc…immediately goes out the window. I try to never indulge in feeling sorry for myself. It’s narcissistic to think things will always go my way–that suffering can’t happen to me. Expect suffering to happen and don’t take it personally when it does.

Sign in Route 61 Coffee that mad eme laugh

Sign in Route 61 Coffee that mad eme laugh

About 12 I walked back down to the ramp, packed up all my new groceries, and am now about to leave town. My plan was to make it to St. Joseph, LA tonight and then have any easy day into Natchez tomorrow and check it out. Layne said I MUST try some bbq at the Pig Out Inn down there. But it is unlikely I’ll make it to St Joseph (rain) and instead have two sub 40 mile days.

Weather has been cool for the past few days so Im making a push, until it turns otherwise. Then I’ll have myself a good camp day in the shade. Writing post early bc I may not make it into cell recption of St. Jo as it looks like the weather will make it stop and go today. But as I often say, if I didn’t want to get wet I wouldnt have bought a boat. Pressing on!

Thank you again Layne (and family) for all the help and good company! It was an awesome time and I hope to see you again on the water soon. Best of luck on your coming MS trip, man. 2400 miles will be a mole hill for you! May the river be with you, my friend.