8MAY2012 @ White Cloud, KS - Up late I did not push of until shortly after sunrise.  With no water to bail the canoe felt luxurious.  Once more the miles seemed to fly by as the current is swift and wind not contrary.  Actually the wind is very light, so even if it were in my face the effect would be minimal. 
Rather close to White Cloud I saw a beaver slide into the river; a second beaver followed, but with much more measured steps ... and no sliding.  Great Blue Herons in abundance as well as ducks, geese and turkeys were seen today.  I'm fairly certain that I saw the Asian Carp.  As I pulled ashore at the Nodaway Island Boat Ramp a silvery fish jumped from the water, landed on shore and succeeded in flopping back into the river.  It is a pretty fish.  I am told it also tastes good yet is bony.  It sounds like a perfect candidate for canning. 
At 1400 I had paddled 37 miles and went to a casino just upstream from St. Joseph, MO.  Weather today is wonderful; I am looking for a tent spot where I can spread out all my gear for drying.  Complications occurred at the casino.  I stayed for the buffet, which opened at 1600.  In addition to blogging, I occupied time figuring where I could bed down.  The casino folks were generally bewildered by the idea of me sleeping near their parking lot.  I represented that my vehicle is functionally the same as the RVs and big trucks that are allowed to overnight in the parking lot ... so allowing me a 7 X 3 spot to stretch out should be no concern.  Rather than address that sensible idea, it was suggested that I paddle 1/2 mile to the St. Joseph Marina.  Even though privately owned they are nice folks who have accomodated paddlers before - indeed this casino has suggested to others the same as I was hearing.  After my sumptuous supper I sidled on down to the water for my short drift to the marina.  I drifted and drifted ... and drifted until I finally concluded that I had been diplomatically ejected from the casino ... there is no marina.  Paddling now, I found the Flathead Fishermen's Boat Ramp and RV Park.  Gary Wampler allowed me to pitch my tent  on freshly mown grass and dry my rain dampened clothes inside.  Though close to sunset I got it all done, and was well bathed in the river once more. 
Today I paddled from river mile 488 to river mile 445, a distance of 43 miles.