30MAY2012 @ Caruthersville, MO - Osceola, Arkansas is 60 river miles away, so sitting out a stormy Thursday there will not happen ... perhaps Blytheville, "only" 37 miles downriver.  Though off the river several miles, I have found getting a ride is often easier when weather is bad.
I was underway at about 0800 onto a totally calm river.  Paddling SE, the casino slowly got smaller and smaller and disappeared as I began the right bend.  Then the wind began, blowing toward the SE.  The river bend meant that I passed under the interstate bridge perpendicular to the wind.  That and a fast moving upstream barge caused me to sit tight for a while until the bridge was cleared and I had made my way to the right (upwind) bank.  Paddling along in the wind shadow was easy and pleasant.  As the river bent left, however I caught more and more wind and eventually I was in it for real.  Being blown directly downriver at a very fast pace the waves were as high as the gunwhales and on occasion some water slapped in.  After three or four miles, I made my way to the left bank, tucked into a small bay, pulled the canoe onto the beach and disembarked.  In about ten minutes the whitecaps had ended and I went back out and on down the river, getting into the Blytheville riverfront industrial area at about 1700.  Coming ashore some Kinder-Morgan folks told me the boat ramp was 1/4 mile down the shore.  I never found it, coming ashore instead at a sandy beach beyond all barges.  While that sounds good it wasn't, as getting up to the road through poison ivy was more than I am willing to do.  I therefore walked back along the shore to the sewage discharge area and was able to walk up to a road/railroad area.  Continuing to walk north I followed the railroad line into a large industrial area where I walked around for maybe 20 minutes, maybe more, though always making my way north.  Eventually I saw and stopped Sean (aka Snapper), the 1st person I saw who was approachable ... that is, he was driving a standard truck.  All others I had seen were operating heavy machinery or cutting torches; all offices were vacated for the night.  Sean listened to my tiredness and lostness and then drove me all the way into Blytheville to the Super 8 motel.  What a guy; says he was on his way home anyway ... I'm too tired and appreciative to debate it. 
Once settled in I find that any rain and wind will be tomorrow.  Well, had I known I could have slept at the river ... then tomorrow I could get inside, either here or at Osceola.  Possibly the "get inside tomorrow" would need to be early as a tornado zone is sweeping in.  I will be happy to stay here, check my credit card balances, buy some new shorts, catch up this daily blog, possibly go to where dad was stationed in 1943 (1944?).  Oh yes, I can also relax ... some more ... I'm starting to get good at that.  Speaking of that, the river was actually relaxing today due to a meaningfully cooler temperature.  After four days with a wet back it was wonderful to feel like a Montanan again.        
Today I paddled from river mile 847 to river mile 810, a distance of 37 miles.  I saw great blue herons and nothing else.  I've not seen a flying carp since above Jefferson City, MO.  A second type of asian carp is also in the Mississippi, that being the asian grass carp.  This carp does not fly and possibly I have seen it.  I have seen a fish ruffle the surface as it flees and it is a big fish.  So - I saw a big fish today ... several actually.