Day 9 Blog post: Marshal Hartley

Today was a big day for us as it was our first day on the Pee Dee River! We started on Lake Tillery, on which we did about 10 miles. There was a strong tail wind but it still didn't make up for the lack of current. After the lake we bypassed the dam and put in for the first time on the Pee Dee River. we only did about 4 miles on the Pee Dee but that was more than enough after the brutal time on the lake for the past day and a half. The change in the rivers is very evident in many ways; the Pee Dee is much clearer, faster,warmer, and cleaner than the Yadkin River.
We were all very tired yesterday but today we all seemed to be back to normal.  The weather today was absolutely perfect! It was overcast all day but didn't rain except for a little this evening. My favorite part of the day,by far, was the end. As we approached the bridge we were to take out under we saw a banner hanging from it which said "Dr.C loves VOR!" As soon as I saw it I knew that this could be none other than the famous Dr. Chandler who has been my professor for many of my Exercise Science classes at Brevard. Then, as we turned the corner to the take out there she was sitting in a chair with her feet in the water. It was very nice to see another familiar face! Thank you for coming out and showing your support Dr. Chandler! Also Katherine's boyfriend and parents brought us some very good food! Thank you! These sort of things have become rather frequent for us and it is very hard to believe the incredible acts of kindness which we have received from people we have never met but through their support of our goals and journey they have made their land, time, energy, and stories available to us so that now they will always be remembered in our stories of this incredible adventure in our lives. I am totally taken back by everyone's support and hospitality and for you all I, as well as the rest of the group are very thankfull!
I am very proud of all of us for all that we have accomplished so far! We all work together better than any other group of people I have ever been involved with. The bigest thing that I have noticed is that we all genuinely care for each other, it is an awesome feeling to know that you a part of a group like this!
Only 10 days left! I say this with a bitter-sweet tone because of course I want to get back to do my other plans for the summer but I really don't want to leave this. It is simple, and humbling to be involved with such an amazing group of people for such an awesome journey; and I will miss them all dearly! But until then, I will thoroughly enjoy their company for the remainder of the trip.