23MAY2012 near Jacob, IL - I was awakened by the birds once again yet stayed in bed.  I looked out and saw a coal barge headed downstream yet not moving and I just turned over for some more sleep.  The sun was up when I emerged and the barges were still sitting.  While putting away my gear the barge stayed and continued to stay as I paddled off.  It was a misty morning yet easy to read the downriver conditions ... the sun was trying with moderate success to dissipate the mist.  The barge never moved as I made the big right bend and it disappeared behind me.  Paddling on I approached a second barge also stopped ... this one was almost touching the right bank.  It was huge, 20 barges tied together.  I paddled past it and was looking downstream at the Wittenberg pipeline suspension bridge when the barge's horn blasted the morning.  Easing carefully away from the bank the barge slowly maneuvered back into the shipping channel and downstream.  It takes a while for such a load to get up to speed, nevertheless, I was not about to attempt a crossing to the Illinois side.  The Illinois side here looks much more inviting and I perceive a cup or two of coffee would be easily obtained.  Eh bien, by the time the big barge barged past I was downstream enough that I chose to paddle on.  Paddle on I did into a totally gorgeous river.  An island set off two pretty channels and a second island evoked a degree of awe.  It was small, about the size of a macmansion and had sheer cliff sides, topped by sycamore, birch, beech and other deciduous trees.  Total height of 30 feet and such a surprise to see such geology.  One thinks of the Mississippi as coursing through flatland and more flatland ... not so.  Missouri (the state) along the Mississippi is gorgeous.  I paddled on amid this beauty always wondering about the barge sitting where I had slept.  It did catch me at about the point where I had done 20 miles.  At that time I was coming ashore at Neely's Landing asking questions abiout boat facilities ahead.  Informed that the state park had a good boat anchoring site as well as camping with showers I paddled on.  In only a few more miles I was tieing up at an anchoring circle and shagging my gear to a campsite.  I was helped in this by Mike Rangely (?) and his associate from Dayton.  Their timing was superb; their help wonderful.  By shortly after noon I was checked in and thinking shower.  Just the reality of doing twenty-two miles and ending at noon felt luxurious.         
Today I travelled from River Mile 89 to river mile 67, a distance of 22 river miles.  Animals seen were herons, ducks, geese and bald eagles.