At 7:45am, the support crew is waiting at Fort Jackson (River Mile 19).  Bob and Clark are expected around 8am -- they can see them at the far point.  The end is (almost) in sight!  Stan believes they won't be really stopping here, just picking up vittles and liquids.  (Probably too excited to get out of the canoe!)  Stan will have to start making phone calls to alert the Authority II that Bob and Clark are 19 river miles away.  The Authority II will be ready to jump out and escort them from Venice to Mile Zero.  Wish I could be there again for the end.  I'm so jealous!

The Captain of the Plaquemines Parish fireboat that escorted the paddlers from Venice to Mile Zero two years ago has retired.  His son Clinton was also present at the end of the 2001 race -- kept saying that history was being made.  Clinton is now the Captain of the Upper Parish fireboat.  Last night, Clinton met Clark & Bob 12 miles above Belle Chasse.  When the paddlers stopped for breakfast, Clinton stopped his fireboat and joined them.  When all were ready to leave, Clinton went outside to start up the fireboat.  He was going to escort them south of Belle Chasse for several more miles.  However -- he couldn't get the fireboat started again.  So Bob & Clark had to paddle without escort.  Like they're not used to that...   :-)    Regardless, it was neat seeing Clinton again!

Angie Phelps has started handling out special t-shirts.  At the headwaters -- some 2,348 miles ago -- she took pictures of Bob and Clark with all the various crew members.  She turned the pictures into iron-ons and made everyone a unique t-shirt.  Stan said the pictures were definitely taken at the headwaters because Clark has no facial hair and it was before he shaved his head!

Just think, as Clinton would say, we're about to witness history in the making once more!!!
Dana Hanson - 7:45 AM