Dr. Odell Buckenflush represents "everyman." He projects the persona of the supreme paddler and a legend (in his own mind). If something weird or goofy has happened around the river, it has happened to Dr. B. By the same token, his many years of paddling have resulted in numerous adventures. Throughout his diverse paddling experiences, the tendency for a dark cloud to appear overhead asserts itself repeatedly. In spite of all challenges, Dr. Odell Buckenflush keeps his chin up. After all, the glass is always half full and not half empty