Jul 24

Planned to go to Woodlands, WV, today but I got to Captina Creek about two thinking I would take a break here and go on later. I stopped at a park, about a quarter mile up the creek, in the little town of Powhaten Point. This is by far the prettiest and best maintained park so far. For such a small town, they seem proud to make the effort to welcome river travelers.

I walked along the highway into town, which swings down close to the Ohio River. The lower portion of the town is very close to river level and floods every year. Most of the various businesses are closed but I did find the Riverside Restaurant, where I ate a very good chicken dinner. Friendly staff, home cooking. I think all the other businesses have relocated to higher ground - it would get old having to clean up after a river flood every spring. As I walked back over the bridge across the creek, I got a scenic view of where the creek flows into the Ohio. The creek is a welcome relief from the wind and waves of the river.

I was tempted to remain in Moundsville this morning, walked around town a bit but could only find a McDonald's open for breakfast. The park there was pretty nice - but this one is better - so as I contemplated staying there another day, time passed and I didn't get away from there until after eleven. So I only paddled six miles today but it was all into a brisk wind.

It is interesting how much difference it makes to paddle just one mph faster than normal - I mean, paddling three miles an hour for six hours covers eighteen miles, where at two mph it only covers twelve. That's a six mile difference, which for me, it a lot. I think I average about two point five mph, so a stiff wind can slow me to one point five or slower. Again, a big mileage difference for such a small variance in speed.

Well, still looking forward to making Marietta by next Monday or Tuesday. Should make Duffy, OH, tomorrow. Yes, Duffy.