Ohio River Swim

This is an update of the Ohio River Swim of Mimi Hughes of Tennessee. Starting at Pittsburgh on May 22, 2010, Mimi reached Boone County, Kentucky on June 18, 2010...some four miles ahead of schedule. She is headed for the Mississippi at River Mile 981 by July 17. It was our honor to escort her past Boone County (Kentucky's northernmost) on June 19 & 20...hosting her and her video person/kayak escort on the night of the 19th. Starting a mile 484 at the Mariner's Marina in Fernbank (Beatty's old base) after driving MISS FORTUNE through a thunder storm, we got a late start (Mimi does not swim if there is lightning...and there WAS). She was also escorted by the Boone County Water Rescue team...Dale Appel presiding. She swam her daily average of twenty miles ending at Mile 504 and getting out at Rising Sun, Indiana. We pulled MISS FORTUNE out there for the night in order to service her (replace boiler water etc). Starting again at ~8 AM, we reached river mile 523 by 5:30 pm when she entered her day off in the hands of Jerr Hudepohl of Jackson's Landing (River Mile 522.2). She will continue tomorrow (Tuesday) and those down stream will have an opportunity to cheer her on. A lot of credit goes to her kayaker/video shooter, Joanna Lai. Normally they have NO escort and only that little kayak and an occasional splash reveal their presence. Mimi did not get out of the water either day until finished...taking fluids and power bars at infrequent intervals. A school teacher, she trained by arising in time (~3:30 am daily and swimming five miles before school started~!). She does this to focus on environmental awareness and women's issues. Kudos go to all who helped including my "First Mate" Miss Carol and housekeeper Howie. MISS FORTUNE performed very well right to the end at 523 when her throttle "froze" just open enough to operate well in forward and reverse...now in dry-dock awaiting repairs.

1 MISS FORTUNE steaming up after the thunder storm...that's helper Jeff Cochran and First Mate Miss Carol.

2 Here's Mimi going under the I-275 Bridge near Lawrenceburg, Ind. That speck under the main span is Mimi.

3 Mimi Hughes in wet suit with Miss Carol.

Cap'n Walnut