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Monday, November 17, 2008 - Winchester KY

A fork in the road

From here in the middle of Kentucky I can head either directly west toward New Mexico or south toward more immediate warm weather.

CONUS Low Temperature Ending Tue, Nov 18, 2008 7AM EST
CONUS Low Temperature Ending Tue, Nov 18, 2008 7AM EST

I'm going to Demopolis

I must admit this cold snap is influencing my decision and I'm leaning toward heading south. It's cold. I'm going to Demopolis. I spent a delightful 3 weeks last December photographing the wildlife at Foscue Creek Park and watching barge traffic on the Tombigbee River.

Night camp

Wal-Mart parking lot in Winchester KY

Rice Toss

After the dinner our hosts conducted us to the beach. Among the presents was a large supply rice for the fleet. It was put up in straw sacks or bales containing about 125 pounds each. By the pile stood a company of athletes or gymnasts chosen from the peasantry for their strength and size and trained for the service and entertainment of the court. At a signal from their leader, who was himself a giant of muscle and fat, a sort of human Jumbo, they began transporting the rice to the boats. It was more frolic than work. Some of thembore a bale on each hand above their heads, some would carry two laid crosswise on the shoulders and head, while others performed dextrous feats of tossing, catching, balancing them, or turning somersaults with them. I saw one nimble Titan fasten his talons in a sack, throw it down on the sand still keeping his hold, turn a somersault over it, throw it over him as he revolved, and come down sitting on the beach with the sack in his lap. Beat that who can. If you imagine it "as easy as preaching," try it the next time in a gymnasium. But let me advise you, first make your will.

The Logbook of the Captains Clerk, John J. Sewell, Lakeside Press, 1995 pg 256

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