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After playing ping pong for a few years on the table my grandmother had given my family, I decided to make a raft out of it and float down the Ohio River with my pal, Steve Uesseler. This is not something that I would recommend, as we faced all kinds of rivery perils we had not thought too much about before jumping on board and launching the thing in the summer of 1972. Our dads were among the folks who reluctantly shoved us off, and Steve's dad, (a carpenter) waded out knee-deep, pounding in as many extra nails as possible during departure. Others present to see us off, (as well as help hoist the vessel onto Mr. Uesseler's truck and struggle to carry it to the water) were friends John and Dave Brengle (Dave did the filming) and Steve's little brother, Doug.

Length of Voyage: 3 days

Sustenance: Peanut Butter & Water

Degree of Sunburn: 2.7

Method of Return: Hitch-Hiking

Lesson Learned: Once was Enough