Captain's Log: 10/27/10 (Day 40)

WOW! 40 days and 40 nights, on a boat.... seems I've heard about that before. So nothing new about this. It's all been done before. We're picking up more creatures all the time....

Fun restaurant near Aqua Yacht harbor.
Didn't take new crew long to take over the captain's job. ( Paige driving on Tenn-Tom)
   

This next picture is for mom and dad. Retired spanish teacher's boat at bayside marina.

It turns out that slow talking is not the only thing slow in Mississippi.... the.... internet.... is ... taking.... f..o...r...e...v...e...r ... to download pictures. So this may be my last post until they start talking faster.

    
    Thinking about picking up some new crew. What do you think? Look a little jaundiced. Don't want to take on any new problems. Here's wishing you all calm winds and Homer Simpson clouds!
   

Captain's Log: 10/24-26/10 (Day 37-39)

Tues... still waiting for new radio.  Crew is getting cabin fever. Looks like a week in one spot is too long. Good timing though because a big weather front is going through. I know because when I was trying to fry an egg this AM it was scrambling itself from side to side in the pan.  We are like the song, "sittin on the dock of the bay" except today it's not the setting sun it"s 25+ mph winds. Which I guess are mild compared to the 55mph winds you are having up north.

Since we are talking song lyricks...what's that one, "Hello Goodbye" ? I think maybe beetles. Here we are saying goodbye to our friend Bruce again. I think it's a hello/goodbye relationship. We will see you in Florida Bruce! Unless of course you get a boat and get a slip in Aqua Harbor. Ha Ha

Note from the dog:   Hey not my best angle but I'm trying to look like I'm having fun here! I just wanted to say Happy birthday to Linda!!!!       
       

Captain's Log: 10/21-23/10 (Day 34-36)

Paige/deck slave is here! Its Captain Morgan time!  Thanks Don, for bringing our baby to us. She said first night was OK in her new room/pantry. I can't see how sleeping on a 4 inch foam matress between cereal boxes, coffee makers, and musical instruments wouldn't be comfortable. Did I mention the captain has a custom made matress from the Rochester matress factory?
      Crew and 1st mate are already in argu... no... disscusion (friendly) on how the frig should be organized. I don't really care but I am installing a "plank" just in case disiplinary actions need to be taken . Don't worry Gramma and Grampa I will be running all punishments by an independant arbitrator (Drew).

Speaking of Drew. I think he was at the pizza place last PM with the girls. Looking a little pale for a Hawaiian.
      Looks like we will be spending about a week in Iuka Ms. while we wait to have an AIS system installed. They said it should be in by Wed. For any non boaters its a system that allows tow boats to show up on our chart plotter even before they come around the corners. Very important on the Tenn-Tom since tows do a maneuver down here called "flanking" which is when they put their front end on one bank and their butt on the opposite bank and slide around the tight corners. Needless to say you don't want to meet them in the middle of all that!  Old salts would say that's cheating , but since the technology exsists I say it's like driving a car at night without headlights. So for 1/2 a boat buck (1 boat buck = 1000.00) we should be 1,000,000 X's safer.
   

Captain's Log: 10/18-20/10 (Day 31-33)

Sorry for missing a few days here but, 7 to 10 hour travel days and a birthday kinda distracted me. Hey thanks to all who sent birthday wishes. They worked! We started the day at Cuba landing squeezed in next to an 80 foot yacht and ended the day in Clifton Tn with an impromtu b-day party complete with burgers ,onion rings and a mini pecan pie.

The marina owner,Gene, a great guy by the way in the striped shirt was super. I thought he was joking but in a slow southern drawl said, " Ya, .. this sure is a lot more fun than being a pharmacist." Turns out he wasn't joking.

I think the river level changed a little faster than this guy expected. I thought I saw a for sale sign. Probably a good deal. Maybe just a little sand in the drives.

     This was an 80 foot lock on the Tenn. river. I thought what was interesting was that we had to raise up 30 feet just to reach the lock doors. The lower section is cement wall that you drive over when the doors open. This particular lock we had timed to reach well before dark so we could make it to the next marina in light. but a fellow boater made a fuss about locking thru with a tow so we ended up waiting 3 hours to get thru. Because of that we ended up finding the marina in the dark. (let's just say my opinion of sailboaters was not improved) Thankful for electronic chart plotters! Don't leave home without one. ... or these guys might be waiting for you.

Buzzards, in case you can't see them.

Another great place to stay. View from my back door this morning. Think we will stay here a week and rest and wait for Paige to join us Fri. or Sat. She will travel with us awhile! really looking forward to that! Always need people to scrub the decks.

Captain's Log: 10/17/10 (Day 30)

Our boat this Am. with other "loopers" boats at Paris landing state park. Also some cool pics from today's travels. (ours is the 1st blue top on the left)

An abandoned half underwater dock.

some cool trees....the roots stick out because they lowered the lake 5 ft. from normal level to make room for spring flood waters !

Can you ever get tired of this?

Sylvia  (and Mark) set a great table for our grilling tonight. Sylvia, not pictured, sorry Sylvia but somebody had to take the pic. and I did mention your name 3 times and your chicken was great. Thanks.  We hope to see you guys this winter ! (where they live in Palmetto, Florida)....
    Hey guess whose B-day it is tomorrow??.... ya this ones for you Kris...It's my birthday!... It's my birthday week!... It's my birthday month!!!! I think I'll do something special like go boating for 7 hours. . . .again..

               
    
    
    
    

Captain's Log: 10/16/10 (Day 29) (second post)

Sorry, no pics tonight. Just a note to say the Kentucky Lake looks alot like Lake Pepin only about 180 miles long. Must have been excited to leave this morning or else Dorene is taking Bruce's recommendation to get rid of "stuff" seriously.  We left a load of clothes in the dryer at Green Turtle Bay. Oh well , now I only have 57 too many T-shirts.   State run marinas in Tenn. are great all new, clean and most importantly, cheap! Maybe I'll get a picture on for tomorrow.

Captain's Log: 10/16/10 (Day 29)

Our friend Bruce and his Lotus

Wait a minute here! Did she say she was going to the post office? ..or going to play post office? Oh well as long as she gets the letter mailed.        Some one asked as they drove off, "Who was that?"  I told them, " I think that was my wife and her next husband." So now might be the appropriate time for this:  Wanted: Crew for small boat Ky. to Florida, must be able to navigate and cook. no pay

You can take the girl off the farm but,...

      But seriously, we are ready to find out what is around the corner on Lake Barkley this AM. This place (turtle bay) is beautiful but 39 degees this AM. (the south is calling)

This is Marilyn, a fantastic chef that made an authentic German meal for 13 boaters in her home. Sat at our table and you could see, feel, sense (you might say even taste) her passion for cooking. She lives to cook. She says she wakes up with entire new recipes in her head. She says she would cook even if no one was there to eat it. What a waste that would be! Thanks Marilyn

Kentucky Lakes looks to be beautiful cruising grounds with much less current than the Mississippi....plenty of marinas and anchorages.  
Oh! Paige (our daughter) is going to meet us next weekend "somewhere"......she is getting a ride from her honey's mom (they live in Birmingham, AL.)----so, we are getting close to there!  It will be fun to have her share in our adventure!
later!!!!
    

Captain's Log: 10/12/10 (Day 25)

...Did I say that we went to a impromptu cocktail/happy hour party last pm on the dock in front of our boat??....turns out I was wrong...these are NOT impromptu parties, apparently they are "pre-planned" every evening as long as there are 2 or more "loopers" in a marina!!!    So Pam was right, looks like AA  is in our future!! LOL..... The girls' are holding a new drink to us....(picture follows)....a Spanish rum w/ 1/2 and 1/2!!!....it was good!!!

...we are likely to be here until Saturday am... most of the days will be prepping the boat for the next "leg" of our journey...., so I may not "bore you" with our daily details ....so may see you back on here Saturday!
...today we changed oil; scrubbed the boat from top to bottom, washed fender (bumper) covers; and Dorene took the golf cart into the town of Grand Rivers (pop. 350) which is a huge tourist town with the lake here.
(Dorene speaking here)....it reminds  me a lot of a small Lanesboro with even a theater....it has an IGA grocery store and many antique shops and cutesy little shops......I went to the post office and only had time to check out a few stores as I had to have the cart back to the marina in an hour!!   An hour!!!  (or pay more!)
oh......and watched the Vikings game last nite---ouch----should have gone to bed!!!!!
Nite!!!

Captain's Log: 10/11/10 (Day 24)

It truly is a new dawn/new world above Barkley Lock!!  This was the morning sunrise at Green Turtle Bay---the View from the back of our boat!  Do you think every morning above Lake Barkley will be like this?? Probably not....
But what has changed is there is a lot more people/boater that are doing the loop....probably around 20 plus boats---mostly couples and hey! WE be nearly the babies of the group!!   Here is a picture of  impromptu 5pm Cocktail Hour (with the Loopers) tonite  at the gas dock.  Note our boat in the background!!!  All of 10 steps to the party-----this is WAY too easy!!  One of the Loopers that are about done with the Loop noted/stated that after this experience "We don't know if we should re-join the AGLCA (America Great Loop Cruiser's Assoc.) or join AA and /or Weight Watchers"!!!!!

This is a perfect example of why that above statement is true....somebody is always organizing a trip to a restaurant .  This was Patti's (pretty famous in this area) for it's 2" pork chop and huge desserts....

This is the "looper group" at Patti's in Grand Rivers, KY. (from California to Australia!)

The major portion of today (6 hours) was spent "shopping"!!!  A courtesy car was obtained by 6 of us loopers and we went to Paducah, KY. a  1/2 hour drive from the marina.  The guys did their boat shopping at Home Depot , Auto Zone, Best Buy and were finished  in  one hour!!  So what the girls' did  in the other 4 hours I do not know!!!!

Dorene's turn to talk----well, us "girls" had not been to a MALL in a month or more, so.. we were in heaven obviously!  Even Walmart was a treat!!!    I even got a new pedicure that was sorely needed!  (boat life IS much rougher on the feet!!)    We all ate (again)! at a Mexican Restaurant with a pitcher of Margaritas of course!!   Stopped at a liquor store to "stock up"--(most counties for the next 200 miles by water are "dry" counties so hence the stockup!  --(obviously those of you who know me, I didn't need anymore wine) and yes I still have some of our homeade wine left!!!  But, with all these happy hour "sharings" it's going fast!!!

now....gotta go watch the Vikings Game--we are in heaven here cause they even have "cable hook-ups" for our TV's !!!!!   GO VIKES!!!

Captain's Log: 10/10/10 (Day 23)

     Have you missed me?  I thought so.  I'd like to say I've just been too busy navigating the raging Misssissippi but , while that is true ,if I really soul search I was probably afraid to post something that may have been my last.    Now that I sit safely in a calm marina at Green turtle Bay, Grand Rivers, KY. watching the sun rise over the bay listening to a wonderful Irish sounding tune by our friend Yata I can talk about it.
      Once while rafting the grand canyon, a rafter asked the guide, " will we see big rapids tomorrow?"  The guide, staring without blinking into the rafters eyes said slowly, " YOU WILL SEE GOD" and walked away. Well I did not see god that day but 2 days ago while at the helm of my 42 foot boat under considerable power was spun sideways going down the Mississippi ( at 12 mph) facing the bank with no control and no place to go I believe I cought a glimpse of him\her. I wish I had pictures of that section of the river but it's hard to take pictures while trying to control a boat and wetting youself at the same time. In lieu of that I give you this picture of the Ohio River. Calm, bluegreen slowly flowing. Thank You GOD.

 Only after experiences like that can a "thank you" be as sincere as this one.

This picture is from our safe anchorage in the Little river diversion canal. Just beyond that last boat the mighty Miss. flows on. From that opening just 50 river miles to cross to safer ohio waters. Even so I contemplate living out the rest of my life in the diversion canal. Hum...not so bad. But if I do Dorene will likely leave with that nice blue trawler. Ah the price for love!  The night before a 50 foot diesel trawler got pushed past the opening maybe 50 yards and at full power it took him a 1/2 hour to battle back that 50 yards to the opening.

The 30 miles of Cumberland river to the 57 ft lift of the Barkley lock is a lot like boating on the root river only deeper. (Kristine, the rapids here are just "irritations" compared to the Miss.)

I think these birds were just cooling themselves, or maybe he's a flashing pervert. I don't know, does this count as a mooning? Dorene just seems to attract these guys!

Barkley lock: a 57 ft lock thru to a better gentler river? We hope.
     Another milestone: after 3 days away from land Moka finally gave up and did her business on the swim platform. It was either that or have you ever seen a boston terrier explode?
   I just noticed I am posting this at 10:00 AM. on 10/10/10 .   Have a GREAT day!
   
         

Captain's Log: 10/06/10 (Day 19)

...sunrise at Hoppies this morning (Kimmswick, Missouri).....

Started out fogged in this morning ...had to wait till after 9am to depart.....
Highlights of the day:
          ---saw our first 42 barge tow today!!  Which we met near a tight curve  where the water dropped from 29 feet to 90 feet!  (there must have been a waterfall down there somewhere!)   Fern told us NOT to meet a barge at this corner, so THAT was a close one!!!   Did I mention I love Fern???   She KNOWS her river stuff!  The roils and boils (not sure if roil is a word),made it very difficult to control the boat, but what's wrong with me??-----it was kinda fun!!!
 ....First opportunity for anchorage today was at Kaskaskia River (off the Miss.) and we lucked out and are currently tied to  the Kaskaskia Lock Wall (see picture below)....in a perfectly still pool....the Lockmaster would NOT have to let us do this, but he/she is gracious ....I think Fern had something to do with this!!!

"locking up at Kaskaskian lock wall"----1st time we have ever done that!
short day today---41 miles......nite!!!!

Captain's Log: 10/025/10 (Day 18)

I had to put this picture on today so you know we weren't making this stuff up......
I don't know how to do photoshop so that IS the actual St. Louis Arch in the background....!!  The  downside was that the river was SOOO rough and the barges criss-crossing everywhere that we barely had time to take this picture and get back to business all the while avoiding twigs, logs and trees!!!!
.....this is great fun?????!!!!

As I write this, we are tied to Hoppies Floating fuel barge/dock (south of St. Louis)....the current and barge waves combined  are rocking us violently that there is serious possibility of actually becoming seasick!!! Not something either of us are known for.....(Kris...you would love this---hahaha..)

This is the group at Hoppies (last chance for GAS for 250 miles!)....
Fern...(bottom right blue sweatshirt)....50 years on this dock--she knows it ALL and gave a great mini=seminar to all of us---we love her and we want to take her with!     (To our harbor people---SHE is a true RIVER CHICK/river queen!!!)......she's been there, done that...many times!!

Our group at Hoppies...the last gas stop for a long while!!!   On the channel and LOTS of waves from the barge traffic!!

After going thru St. Louis and burying our bow into a tow's wake, I am seriously concerned about our "riff-raft" friends!! 

Okay...Pam on the "Mint Julep"  had the "appropriate" gloves for "locking thru"....so, okay my "sewing friends"/.......come up with some good ones for me to wear cause the lines/ropes get really slimey going thru the locks and I have to protect my hands!!!!  (posted by Dorene)...jeff told me I had to put that!! ;-))

Captain's Log: 10/04/10 (Day 17)

Just trying to get my ducks in a row......no wait! Donald get over there!

Wish I could say it went better docking today, but let's just say the dock hands were "running" down the docks when they saw me coming.  So, here is what happened:    As we entered the harbor against a strong current , as the current finally settled down we headed straight toward the dock which looked like an easy slip to hit.  But the current which we were not aware of had other ideas and the boat continued to spin!  So....after a moment of panic I decided to let the boat go where it wanted to which resulted in backing up in the Harbor to our end dock slip......!   Maybe they were running because the boat I backed passed had to check in at about 2-3 million dollars!!!!!  (not kidding).....however, in the end it was a perfect landing! whew!!!

My wife's still got it!  she can still get the shirt off a guys' back!  Or maybe she traded coffee and wine but she got a true Argentina tshirt from Bruce!  Did we mention we already miss you Bruce???!!  Safe travels  new friend!

This next picture was a toss-up....we were either going to put the impressive statue "Our Lady of the River"  at Portage de Sioux but it's not every day you see a farmer giving his combine a ferry ride!!! 

And Joyce....we are parked next to another casino tonite in Alton and we didn't go!!!! (I'll unchain Dorene from the mast once we leave tomorrow!) LOL.... You know I'm kidding....we have no mast...she's in the bilge!   

P.S.  Alton Marina is a 1st class place:  swimming pool, hot tub, very helpful staff, casino within walking distance and town easy to walk to!  Once again, I think we would stay if it didn't freeze!  And....finally we are starting to see other loopers; one at our dock is on their 3rd trip around!!!!!

Nite!!!

Captain's Log: 10/03/10 (Day 16)

....how did these guys get ahead of us again??  oh yea, we sat out a wind day in Louisiana, Missouri....if you remember this is "Riff-Raft"...the traveling theater group from Minnesota we met in Hannibal.   Looks like they are sinking but they just have 6 people on a small boat!  Good Luck guys/girls with your journey!

This is Bruce, our new friend..in the picture he is diving under his boat (see him?) to see if his port engine prop is still on.  We buddy=boated with him for the last 50 miles (2 days).....In the last lock he thought he hit something but it turned out that the bolts in his shaft coupler had broken.  He's a retired pilot and much more from Mpls.   He is pulling his boat here in St. Charles, MO. and returning to the motorhome life to Sedona!   Thanks for the good wine and boating support Bruce!  Safe travels till we meet again!

Jeff, Dorene and Bruce at supper at the Duck Club Yacht Club in St. Charles, MO...!  great food!

Boating highlight of the day:::  Took our boat over a small waterfall ---granted it was 50 feet below water!  But you could feel the boat drop about a foot as it went across.  We were passing through a narrow chute that the marina told us to go through to get to this marina. There was a wingdam 12 ft. under that dropped to 50 feet immediately after.....quite a ride!  We have to return through that tomorrow .....will let you know how that goes!!!!

Captain's Log: 10/02/10 (Day 15)

It's official, we must be south. Saw our first asian jumping carp at the docks today. Cleared about 4 feet and hit the edge of the dock. Wind was predicted today so we stayed  another day. Dorene baked squash and apple crisp. Boat kinda smelled  like Thanksgiving! yum! I took the extra time to paint the boat name on the bottom of the dinghy. That way the tow captains can call me by name when they want me to get the !@#$ out of the way!
     Last PM the marina rest. had an all u can eat sea food buffet so Dorene ate and I watched. Well I ate too but I got the picture of her.

That was only the first plate!

Note from the dog: Did someone say seafood? I didn't see any seafood.

Captain's Log: 10/01/10 (Day 14)

The day started as any other day on the river.  Dorene got mooned.!!!    I think it was an unintentional mooning though. That brings the moon count to 4 received and 1 given. Ok so it probably doesn't count as an official mooning if it was unintentional. Probably more like a peeping tom incident (creepy if you put it that way)
but, hey it was an accident. I won't name names to protect the innocent.

wow...a covered slip for the first time in 30 below's life at Rockport, Illinois (right across from Louisiana, Missouri).....once again we could live at this marina! It has a  swimming pool, rest. right next door, but the water does still freeze.  However, most boaters here do not pull there boats for the winter and use them thru November!!

......chatting with dock folk trying to gain local knowledge before departing tomorrow!   In case you didn't notice, you could hold a barn dance on these docks...they are ginormous!

The Mississippi River is living up to it's name today "Big Muddy"!!  Along with twigs, logs, and a few trees!! We shared a lock-thru with one large tree today!    He was going South too! ;-))   good-nite!!