Jul 22 Later

Was going to get to Wheeling today but I found a very friendly marina in Martins Ferry, Ohio, a little town about three miles upriver. There's a building that the owner told me I could sleep in - a concrete floor but at least I won't have to fool with my tent. It's easy to set up but setting it up every night and taking it down in the morning gets old. When I showed up, a few guys sitting around offered me beer and conversation. Friendly.

Saw an interesting building today, not sure what it is, or was. Some sort of pump house, I presume. Looked like offices or living quarters up on top so not sure about it. If anyone has a guess, please let me know.

Saw some sort of scum on the river today, not sure what that was either. Has a slickness to it, like oil, but it's a light brown color.

Still barges and tug boats everywhere. Found out the locks and many of the barges are owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. That's scary - I knew quite a few engineers during my Army years. That's all I'll say about that.

Martins Ferry is where Elizabeth Zane was from. Who is Elizabeth Zane, you ask. Well, in 1782, she was cited for heroic acts in defense of Fort Henry, now Wheeling, against an attack by the British. I guess I should google her to see what exactly she did, and I will sometime. But she has several statues here in town and is buried in the town cemetery.

Ate at McDonalds tonight. Only local restaurant is Chinese - just didn't feel like Chinese tonight. And as much as I like to rant about fast food places, Big Macs are pretty good.

Wheeling tomorrow.