Friday July 3, 2009
Midway Marina with it's relaxing rocking chaired porches, nice lounge, hot tub and friendly atmosphere will be an easy choice for a return visit. On Wednesday Tom called the first lock master about 9:30am. He told us to be there in 10 minutes. We started out and an engine overheat light came on. Because the entrance harbor and surrounding area at Midway was thick with weeds I suspected our props could be covered with them. A quick switch to neutral and some power in reverse threw weeds up behind us. Pleased that is was weeds and not an impeller,we were again on our way to the lock. Greatfully the lockmaster was waiting with open doors . We found ourselves sharing the lock with another small boat. I thought we looked little inside these locks, they looked like a bug up against the wall. In fact they were so small they had to use a pole to reach up and put their line around the bollard! We met up with the little boat again at the next lock. It was the hurry up and wait concept or what our friend John called the Tortoise and Hair effect. They took off after each lock passing us with great speed but their they sat in the shade along the bank waiting for the next lock to clear and open when we arrived. As we waited for the second lock to open we talked with the couple in the little 16 foot aluminum boat with a 30 horse power motor, coolers, and more. The boats name is "Little Bastard". Because of some advise regarding the name of their boat from one of the lock masters they refer to themselves as "Little B" when calling the lockmaster for passage through. The captain of "Little B" just retired from his position as juvenile court judge. He told us that whenever he would pass people who had to deal with him in court they would say, hey there goes that little bastard, thus was born the name of his boat. What is remarkable is that this couple started in Chicago and traveled all the way down near Mobile in this boat! They are now headed for Chattanooga where their ride will pick them up. They have camped along the rivers thirteen of fourteen nights, staying in a hotel one night and have had a ball. About the time you think you have challenged yourself and feel good about what you have accomplished someone like this comes along to remind you what a real challenge/Adventure is!
Midway Marina with it's relaxing rocking chaired porches, nice lounge, hot tub and friendly atmosphere will be an easy choice for a return visit. On Wednesday Tom called the first lock master about 9:30am. He told us to be there in 10 minutes. We started out and an engine overheat light came on. Because the entrance harbor and surrounding area at Midway was thick with weeds I suspected our props could be covered with them. A quick switch to neutral and some power in reverse threw weeds up behind us. Pleased that is was weeds and not an impeller,we were again on our way to the lock. Greatfully the lockmaster was waiting with open doors . We found ourselves sharing the lock with another small boat. I thought we looked little inside these locks, they looked like a bug up against the wall. In fact they were so small they had to use a pole to reach up and put their line around the bollard! We met up with the little boat again at the next lock. It was the hurry up and wait concept or what our friend John called the Tortoise and Hair effect. They took off after each lock passing us with great speed but their they sat in the shade along the bank waiting for the next lock to clear and open when we arrived. As we waited for the second lock to open we talked with the couple in the little 16 foot aluminum boat with a 30 horse power motor, coolers, and more. The boats name is "Little Bastard". Because of some advise regarding the name of their boat from one of the lock masters they refer to themselves as "Little B" when calling the lockmaster for passage through. The captain of "Little B" just retired from his position as juvenile court judge. He told us that whenever he would pass people who had to deal with him in court they would say, hey there goes that little bastard, thus was born the name of his boat. What is remarkable is that this couple started in Chicago and traveled all the way down near Mobile in this boat! They are now headed for Chattanooga where their ride will pick them up. They have camped along the rivers thirteen of fourteen nights, staying in a hotel one night and have had a ball. About the time you think you have challenged yourself and feel good about what you have accomplished someone like this comes along to remind you what a real challenge/Adventure is!
