19MAY2012 near Treloar, MO - No birds this morning, so at 0450 my clock said get up and I did.  Well before sunrise I was ready to push off when Randall Hyman drove up.  Randall is a photographer and writer and - whew - is he ever out early.  Being early he caught me ... took photos and discussed my trip.  Anyone wishing to discuss me is - of course - very interesting so I delayed my start until we had discussed and discussed some  more.  I look forward to more communications with this Indiana University graduate. 
Warm morning air meant no morning mist.  I have grown accustomed to this morning magical look and this morning seems stark in comparison.  As I began today I was greeted by about 12 geese honking across the sky.  That is it for animals between Treloar and Washington.  At New Haven I went ashore and payed my respects to John Colter.  A member of the Corps of Discovery, this Virginian stayed west.  He is the famous mountain man that "discovered" the Yellowstone Park area and he is the man who ran barefoot away from the Blackfeet who were bent on killing him.  That latter event occurred in 1808; Mr. Colter died in 1812.  Buried for several decades on a bluff a bit east of New Haven, his grave was destroyed by railroad construction before the local citizens were aware that the railroad construction could have such consequences.  His remains now lie scattered about under the railroad tracks east from New Haven.
Remember my sleeping problem last Wednesday?  Well, it happened again ... this time because of my stupidity.  While stopped at the swimming sand bar earlier today I was told about the sleeping sand bar near mile 44 ... and also about the "Pumpkin Cabin".  As I got close to the bridge I flagged down a motorboat and asked again about the location of the sandbar and the boaters also told me the location of the cabin ... almost within sight at the time.  Pulling up at the cabin I found it vacant and exactly as was described ... so I spread out for the night.  Stupid me should have realized that it is Saturday night - the perfect night for any owner to want to party late into the night.  Well indeed at about 2330 I was awakened by the son of the owner and a party group of about ten young folks.  It took them a while to realize that I was only sleeping and then they got meaningfully more civil.  I, however, did not click on the reality that a party and a sleeper could not fit in the same space ... but James set me straight about that.  Not wanting to paddle away in the dark, I repaired to the canoe, spread out, bug-fogged up and went to sleep. 
Today I paddled from river mile 85 to mile 44, a distance of 41 miles.