5MAY2012 near Bellevue, NE - The birds wanted me up before I wanted.  The birds won and in good order I was back on the river, once again in total calm.  I passed several more Nebraska side housing areas, all totally empty.  One seemed curious, though because it has 5 two-story houses.  It makes sense that the top floor could be livable ... could be.  No lights are seen anywhere, though, so I conclude that electricity is not being provided.  Carrying that conclusion one step further, I surmise that public officials have huddled with the electric utility to assure electricity stays off. 
At the Platte river I kept my hand wet as the waters merged.  The Platte is noticeably warmer than the Missouri.  The Saratoga, WY snowmelt loses all it's cold flowing across Nebraska.  For the rest of the trip an evening swim will not be difficult.
At 0800 I came ashore at the Plattsmouth Boat Club and then tethered up a short way down the shore.  The short walk into Plattsmouth took me past riverboat SSMinnow Plattsmouth, on the bank and listing to starboard.  It came to rest with the propellors in the air, so getting it back on the water may not be hopeless. 
Warren Buffet and his followers are kicking off their annual meeting in Omaha as I finish an omelette at Mom's Cafe.  As for me, I am happy to be at Mom's.
Back on the river at 1000 I paddled on quite rapidly despite a slight headwind.  I pulled in at the Mintle development and discussed things with Ron and Wayne.  Ron was sawing up a dead Cottonwood; Wayne adnd I watched.  The Mintle area has RVs only and it looks good.  Grass is growing everywhere and the only damage seen is the steps on the riverbank.  Folks were water boarding behind a motorboat; it is wionderful to see Americans having fun after all the destruction and sad faces I ghave seen.  Several miles later I came ashore agian at an Iowa development.  Similar to Mintle it had no permenent type residence destruction, but did have a stiorage shed at eacgh RV spot.  Many of those storage buildings were eoither destroyed or carried away.  Two folks measuring up for their new storage building stopped, 7upped me and took my picture. 
By 1800 I pulled in at the Riverview Boat Ramp.  It being semiclose to Nebraska City I started hoofing it and was assisted by Walt Belding and his wife.  More paddler friendly folk, they carried me to a local drink spot with internet.  Shortly I was enjoying a Nebraska haMBURGER.
Today early I saw great blue herons, osprey, whitetail deer, ducks,turtles, geese and turkeys.  After Plattsmouth I saw two special bald eagle vignettes.  The first was two eating a fish along the left bank.  One eagle flew off with the fish followed by the second.  The other sight was two having a fly-fest, just seeming to enjoy flying around together.  I took it that it was a joy flight after they concluded the chicks did not need to be l;ooked at every second ... a freedom celebration.  I have paddled from river mile 599 to river mile 563, a distance of 36 miles.  Just above Plattsmouth a heron spent maybe 30 seconds lighting on a small branch at the very tip of a cottonwood, then several seconds later extended his wings so as to maintain balance on such a small twig.  Why would any sensible anuimal do such a thing?  Could it be similar to asking why any sensible animal would boat from Montana to Arkansas?  Might a connection be made?  Smart heron.