sorry for another late update,
but we went down to the ferry to watch the drama as closing time neared.
we just missed seeing the ferry leave with crystal wheatley and kate sidoli
as two women led the way to the ferry over an hour before closing.
.
while we watched the ferry returning from dropping off the women
first james turner,
and then just before the ferry got back michael wilson
arrived at the dock
(looking a little worse for the wear)
.
they got on and left for kentucky
and then we started watching the clock wind down…
.
watching the ferry returning for what would obviously be the final run of the day
kevin zuech came limping out of downtown cave-in-rock with just minutes to spare.
while he waited on the ferry to dock he told us someone had been behind him,
but apparently he had lost them on tower rock road.
we watched anxiously,
wondering if the mystery runner would make it in time.
kevin loaded on the ferry at 2138
and the ferry waited the final two minutes to cutoff…
.
then the 5th and final thursday hotser left for kentucky.
.
according to the ferry crew at one point,
the two women who had led the way across
were still lying on the ramp trying to loosen up cramps.
all three of the ones we saw were suffering from cramps.
and apparently the others were waiting on the other side for kevin to arrive….
.
their game plan worked.
but you have to wonder if it was a pyrrhic victory.
.
will they be better off marching in their little band with no resupply
than anyone who arrives between now and morning
to have at least a lighted place to wait.
.
bets are being placed as to whether any of the 5 thursday crossers are in the lead by tomorrow night!
.
speaking of which,
the leading 400 milers are starting to close on the back of the 350 pack.
zemach is flying,
and already 6 miles past tunnel hill.
he has cut the lead of the back of the pack to 17 miles!
.
addison hendricks had dropped back to 7 miles behind zemach,
with the ancient john clarke now only a mile behind him.
.
behind those two is a logjam of runners in pursuit….
.
or maybe not in pursuit,
because waiting to see the dramatic ferry finish delayed this update long enough to see an enormous band of heavy thunderstorms boil up in arkansaw and missouruh.
and the hotsers are dead center in their path….
.
predictions of “showers” tonight
can be replaced by the certainty of severe thunderstorms!
,
the runners at the back,
under pressure to make distance by morning are minutes away from the leading edge of the storm.
those further up have a little more time,
but everyone is in the direct path of the storms.
.
reception is poor
and most of the runners are nursing their batteries,
so it is doubtful anyone has heard or seen the new forecast.
but i am sure they can hear the thunder
and see the lightning.
anyone not near shelter is in for a wild ride….
.
carl went to bed as soon as he saw the radar.
he expects a busy time is at hand for the meat wagons!