Day - 21

We don't have an update direct from the source himself yet, but we do have an update. I made a few calls this morning and first one being too Deputy Scottie Sauls of the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Sauls said he knew Capt. Ned was there a day or so ago, but said he would run down to the boat ramp (Old Shawneetown) to talk to a couple of the guys down there. Deputy Sauls called me right back and confirm that Capt. Ned camped there Saturday night, had breakfast with a couple of the locals at the diner near the river and pushed off Sunday morning. Deputy Sauls also gave me contact info just down the river. The kind deputy also posted a comment on yesterday blog. Thank You Sir!

Another call or two put me in touch with a very nice woman named Judy. Judy works at the Cave-In-Rock Ferry Service Office. The Cave-In-Rock ferry is a free service that runs 7 days a week and crosses the Ohio River between Illinois Route 1 and Kentucky Route 91. Judy jumped on the marine radio and put out the inquiry. I overheard everything. It wasn't 30 seconds later and I heard, "oh yeah...the loan kayaker came by here yesterday morning at 10:00 am".

Judy was back on the phone with me 2 seconds later informing me of the spotting of the Kayak Kid. Judy said that there is absolutely no cell signal down in this area on the water. With that said, it may be another day or two before hear from Capt. Ned. Who knows. One things for certain though...I'm sure he'll have some stories.

Oh!...Breaking news...Lindy just talked to him. He said "I'm fine girl, I'm about 3 hours from Paducah, Kentucky and I'll catch everyone up then".

Oh crap!...hang on...he's calling...okay, he still has a poor cell signal, he just passed where the Cumberland River dumps into the Ohio and he'll be setting up camp in or around Paducah. He said he's been making real good time. Yesterday he was hugging the Illinois bank and was moving along at about 5 - 51/2 knots. Today he's been hugging the Kentucky bank and going about 31/2 knots. The wind is blowing at about 15 knots which he said is "one hell-ov-a lot better then the 30 he's had for the last couple days". But still making pretty good time.

The river is real wide and kind of rough, but he's guessing he's only two days from the Mississippi River. Once Captain Ned sets up camp and gets settled in we'll get a little more accurate info and I'll get a new map posted, along with a picture or two of the "Prancer". I'll have to do a little digging for some digital pictures of the "Rainbow's End".

Now, I believe thanks are in order. Special Thanks to everyone who helped chaperon Capt. Ned the last couple days and who stopped what they were doing to help the Mott family find his whereabouts...Deputy Scottie Souls, Betty from the Elizabethtown, Illinois sheriff's dept., the woman (sorry, I didn't catch your name) at the Lodge in Cave-In-Rock, Judy and the guy who immediately responded to Judy on the radio. From the Mott family...Thank you all very much!