Well, in our travels on the Mighty Mississippi we have noticed one thing...the farther south we go the bigger the tugs and tows are.  We've traveled 150 miles on the river without encountering a lock to lock through or a bridge that needed to open to allow us passage.  This, we believe, is why the tows are five barges wide and five barges long in this area. We also agree that the captains on each of these tugs have been most gracious and courteous to the pleasure boaters and we thank them for that.

Today we traveled 11-1/2 hours and went 117 miles, sometimes at the speed of 10 mph which is attributable to the current running with us.  It was more of the same bustling river traffic, only bigger stuff coming our way.  Tonight we are anchored in Angelo Towhead, a small anchorage just off the Mississippi near the town of Cairo (pronounced Kay-row).  We anticipate tug traffic, but it's okay, we are seeing firsthand just how vital the river system is to the commerce of the US.

Tonight's back yard