ON THE ROAD AGAIN

FOR ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN HOLDING YOUR BREATH JUST WAITING FOR ANOTHER BLOG YOU MAY BREATHE AGAIN FOR HERE WE GO ....THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS ALL THE JOBS THAT ARE AWAITING AT DEMOPOLIS ALA...I HAVE THEM DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS BECAUSE I THINK IT WILL TAKE THREE VISITS TO THE BOAT TO GET THEM ALL COMPLETED...ONE SET IN NOV...THE SECOND SET IN MARCH AND THE FINAL SET AFTER THE BOAT IS BACK IN THE WATER IN MAY...THAT IS THE THINKING AT THIS POINT ANYWAY..REMEMBER IT IS A LABOR OF LOVE..BUT IT ALSO IS VERY DEPENDENT ON THE WEATHER AS JOHN AND I FOUND OUT IN AUGUST... THE WEATHER AVERAGES ARE 67 AND 41 FOR HIGHS AND LOWS FOR NOV.....MAR 68 AND 43...MAY 83 AND 58......NOVEMBER SEES US FINISHING THE BOTTOM WORK ..CHANGING THE OIL AND FILTERS..DOING A LITTLE ANTIFREEZE WORK..CLEANING AND PREPING THE DINGHY..SETTING UP THE HEAT LAMP FOR THE ENGINE ROOM ALONG WITH A THERMOSTAT TO CONTROL IT..CHECK THE BATTERIES..THIS DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A VERY BIG LIST BUT ...IT IS....NEXT IN MARCH WE WILL WANT TO DO THE FOLLOWING ..CHECK THE ANCHOR AND VHF RADIO..TAKE THE HEAD PUMP OFF THE MASTER HEAD AND REPAIR OR REPLACE..REPLACE ALL 3 ZINCS IN THE ENGINES AND GENERATOR...DO THE SIDES OF THE BOAT BUFFING AND WAXING...THEN IN MAY.CHECK AIR CONDITIONERS AND IDLES.THEN FINALLY TRY TO GET THE SURGES UNDER CONTROL...THANX AGAIN FOR READING TOM

WHERE TO NEXT

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO THINK AND DREAM AND INVESTIGATE THE NEXT TRIP...I ONCE HAD A GUY TELL ME YOU CAN NOT TAKE THESE TRIPS WITHOUT PLANNING FOR A YEAR...WELL PLANNING IS IMPORTANT BUT YOU CERTAINLY DO NOT NEED TO PLAN YOUR TRIPS FOR A YEAR......HAVE SOME OPTIONS AND EXPLORE THEM IN OH SO MANY WAYS...READING..SENDING FOR INFO..ATLAS..CAR..INTERNET..CHARTS...BOOKS...ETC....JUST THINKING OUT LOUDAND WITHOUT ANY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE REAL CAPTAIN...THE OBVIOS OPTIONS FOR THR NEXT TRIP WOULD INCLUDE.....THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER FOR IT IS RIGHT WHERE THE BOAT IS AT DEMOPOLIS...IT SEEMS TO BE A REMOTE ADVENTURE THAT IS AT LEAST 130 MILES WITHOUT FUEL OR FOOD..IT IS ALSO SUPPOSED TO JUST BEAUTIFUL...BEING ON THE WATER IN YOUR BOAT ENJOYING A TRIP IS JUST BEAUTIFUL.....ALSO ON FURTHER DOWN THE TOMBIGBEE TOWARD MOBILE BAY IS THE ALABAMA RIVER IT IS SAID TO BE EVEN MORE REMOTE THAN THE BLACK WARRIOR....THE BLACK WARRIOR GOES UP TO BHAM AND THE ALABAMA GOES TO MONTGOMERY ...AS YOU GO UP THE BW YOU WILL PASS THRU THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIV OF ALA....THE THIRD OPTION IS TO EXPLORE A LITTLE OF MOBILE BAY...I SAY A LITTLE BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS IT HURRICANE SEASON WHEN WE WOULD BE DOING THIS BUT OUR INSURANCE INCREASES DRAMATICALLY WHEN WE ENTER THE WATERS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO.....TWO OTHER REMOTE OPTIONS WOULD BE TO GO TO MOBILE BAY AND HANG A LEFT ONTO THE INTERCOASTAL TOWARD FLA OR GANG RIGHT TOWARD NEW ORLEANS AND TEXAS......SOUNDS LIKE FUN AND JUST PLAIN OLD BOATING ADVENTURES .....STAY TUNED....... THANX...... TOM

NOT SO OBVIOUS ...BOATING ITEMS

I MAINTAIN TWO LISTS FOR OUR BOATING TRIPS ..THE LISTS ARE OF ITEMS TO TAKE TO THE BOAT FOR THE TRIP...ONE LIST IS THE DUH LIST THAT BEING ITEMS YOU WOULD MOST LIKELY TAKE...THE OTHER LIST IS ITEMS YOU MIGHT NOT THINK OF UNTIL YOU NEED THEM AND THEN IT IS TO LATE....SUCH ASSTAMPS AND ENVELOPES..A PHONE BOOK AND AN ATLAS...MAGNET.. SPRAYS FOR BUGS MOSQUITOS AND WASPS..CALENDAR..EXT CORDS..WATER SHOES..L SOAP..HEAD TO TOE FIRST AID SUPPLIES..GLOVES..NEEDLE AND THREAD.. ROPE..RUBBER BANDS.. FLASH LITES... BATTERIES AND A BATTERY PAC..CHARGERS...TWEEZERS AND CLIPPERS...THANK YOU FOR READING TOM

YOU WILL LIKE THIS..TOW LINGO

YOU WILL LOVE THIS...THE LANGUAGE OF BOATING AND OF RIVER BOATING IN PARTICULAR IS SOMETIMES MORE CONFUSING THAN IF YOU WOULD JUST SPIT IT OUT IN PLAIN OLD SIMPLE ENGLISH......IF YOU ARE MEETING A TOW COMING AT YOU ...YOU CALL HIM ON THE RADIO AND ASK HIM WHERE HE WANTS YOU TO PASS HIM...HE WILL SAY ON THE ONE WHISTLE... OR...HE WILL SAY ON THE TWO WHISTLE...THE ONE WHISTLE IS PORT TO PORT... THE TWO WHISTLE IS STARBOARD TO STARBOARD.....BELIEVE ME THERE ARE OCASSIONS FOR BOTH ..BUT COULD WE NOT MAKE IT A LITTLE HARDER....O.K......YOU GOT THAT NOW GET READY FOR THE OVERTAKING A TOW FROM BEHIND...CAPT WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO PASS YOU ...ON THE ONE WHISTLE OR THE TWO WHISTLE.....ONE BEING ON THE INSIDE AND TWO BEING ON THE OUTSIDE....CONFUSED...NOT ME...I HAVE IT WRITTEN ON MY HELM....ALONG WITH A KNOTS TO MPH COVERSION....AND AN EXPLANATION OF ...RED RIGHT RETURNING....WHICH MEANS IF YOU ARE GOING TOWARDS WHERE THE WATER CAME FROM OR ORIGINATED FROM...YOU ARE RETURNING...HENCE ...RE RIGHT RETURNING....OR ON THE OTHER HAND YOU ARE GOING AWAY FROM THE ORIGIN OR YOU ARE GOING WITH THE CURRENT...THE RED WOULD BE ON YOUR ...LEFT...NOW IS THAT NOT SPECIAL....SO MUCH FOR THE EASY STUFF THANX FOR READING...TOM

MARRIAGE SAVER

I WANT TO TALK SOME ABOUT LOCKING THRU AND THE DEVICE REFERRED TO AS A MARRIAGE SAVER.....JAN AND I WERE AT AQUA HARBOR LAST YEAR VISITING WITH A FELLOW BOATER WHEN HE TOLD US OF THE M S ....YOU HAVE A LINE THAT IS PERMANENTLY ANCHORED AT THE CLEAT ONE THIRD OF THE WAY FORWARD OF THE STERN CORNER OF YOUR BOAT...IT IS TIED TO THE COMPORABLE CLEAT ONE THIRD OF THE WAY BACKFROM THE PULPIT....THE LINE HAS A PERMANNENT LOOP IN IT...GENEROUS ENUFF TO ALLOW EASY PLACEMENT OVER THE MOORING BIT....COACH CALLS THEM MOORING BITS I CALL THEM BOLLARDS...BOTH ARE CORRECT...THE LOOP IS IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN THE TWO CLEATS...NOW BEFORE I GO ON REMEMBER THE LOCKING RULE ......ALL LOCKAGES ARE TO BE UNEVENTFUL....ONE TAKES THE LINE OFF THE FRONT CLEAT AND SLIPS THE LOOP OVER THE BIT AND THEN THE LINE EITHER GETS TIED BACK TO THE FRONT CLEAT OR LUST WRAPPED UNDER IT AND HELD...HELD QUITE EASILY WITH ONE HAND EITHER WAY THE BOAT IS UNDER CONTROL AND THE LOCKMASTER MAY BE NOTIFIED THE BOAT IS SECURE...........NOW YOU ARE READY TO APPROACH THE LOCK WITH A RADIO CALL TO THE LOCKMASTER SEEKING LOCKAGE UP OR DOWN WHICHEVER THE CASE MAY BE......HE WILL RESPOND TELLING YOU TO GO TO CH 13 OR 14 TO GET OFF OF 16 THE EMERGENCY CH....HE WILL THEN INFORM YOU OF HIS PLANS FOR YOU....COMING ON IN OR WAITIN AWHILE......ALWAYS BE NICE FOR IT IS SAID THEY ARE A TIGHT GROUP AND CAN CALL AHEAD OF YOU AND MAKE YOUR LIFE MISERABLE AT THE NEXT LOCKS....GO IN WHEN TOLD TO DO SO...THE CAPTAIN MUST MUST GET THE BOAT CLOSE ENUFF FOR THE MATE TO GET THE LINE ON THE BIT ...SO THE CAPT WILL ENTER THE LOCK WHEN THE GREEN LIGHT COMES ON AND THE HORN SOUNDS......AND YOU ARE OFF TO THE RACES......BE SURE TO STAY SECURED TO THE BIT UNTIL THE LOCKMASTER SOUNDS THE HORN TO RELEASE YOU .....AND THEN THANK HIM......THANX FOR TUNING IN SEE YOU AGAIN SOON

THE BOTTOM AND THE END OF THE TRAIL

WELL I AM SO SORRY I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO POST FOR AWHILE AND I AM SORRY I HAVE NOT POSTED THE LAST TWO ENTRIES PROPERLY FOR I SEE THEY ARE NOT COMPLETE....HAVE NO IDEA WHY...BUT I WILL SOON HAVE THE REAL CAPTAINS HELP AND THINGS WILL GET BETTER....THE BOAT IS OUT OF THE WATER AND THE BOTTOM IS ACTUALLY BETTER THAN I HAD EXPECTED...A FEW SMALL BLISTERS ACTUALLY ON THE SIDE WITH NONE ON THE BOTTOM.....SOME GELCOAT SHOWING ON THE VERY FRONT WHERE IT CUTS THRU THE WATER....AND SOME GELCOAT SHOWING ALONG THE MID LINE OF THE BOTTOM AND JUST A FEW OTHER SPOTS....BUT NOT BAD....SOME WORK TO DO BUT NOT THE END OF THE WORLD....KATHY AND ERIC CAME SUNDAY WHILE JOHN TOOK CAM TO BHAM AIRPORT ...WE COOKED OUT SOME GREAT ST CHARLES BURGERS AND THEN TOOK A BOAT RIDE AND A DINGHY RIDE COMPLETE WITH ERIC TOM AND CORINNE SWIMMING WHILE COLE AND COACH TALKED FOOTBALL AND KATHY RESTED HER RECENTLY OPERATED ON FOOT.....FUN DAY.....I THINK THE GOOD DOC FROM FLA HAD A GOOD TIME BUT WE SURE HAD OUR HANDS FULL THE LAST TWO DAYS WITH SOME STORMY WEATHER COMPLETE WITH LIGHTENING AND ALL.....A GOOD FUNNY ONE IS WHEN WE ARE COMING INTO DEMOPOLIS HARBOR ALL THE STORM THAT HAD FOLLOWED US ALL DAY HAD FINALLY CAUGHT US SO I AM ON THE RADIO TO THE DEMOP HARBOR FOR SOME HELP COMING IN....GUESS WHO IS ON THEIR RADIO GIVING ME INSTRUCTIONS....I SAID WHO IS THIS AND THE VOICE SAID THIS IS COACH COOK..VERY SURPRISING BUT VERY REASSURING.....HE HAD TOLD THEM WE WERE CLOSE AND THEY LET HIM BRING US IN ON THEIR RADIO...SEE HE HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK TO DEMOP TO MEET US ON THE FINAL LEG OF THE JOURNEY....EVERY DAY IS AN ADVENTURE AND A STORY...JUST FINDING THE TIME TO DO THE ENTRIES IS A JOB...AND JAN IS SO MUCH BETTER AT IT THAN I AM BUT SHE DOES NOT GO TO THE COOLER AS OFTEN......THANX FOR READING LET ME HEAR FROM YOU

SUNDAY AUG 23

WELL YESTERDAY WE TREATED OURSELVES VERY NICELY WE WALKED AROUND THIS PLACE LOOKED AT THE BOATS TALKED WITH SOME FOLKS WHO WERE DOING THEIR OWN REPAIRS MET UP WITH THE TWO GALS JOHN AND I HAD MET AT PARIS LANDING THEY ARE SAILBOATERS AND QUITE KNOWLEDGEABLE YOU MAY RECALL JAN AND I WERE VERY PLEASED FOR ME TO HAVE MET THEM BECAUSE ONE OF THEM GREW UP ON CHESEPEAKE BAY AND KNOWS IT LIKE THE BACK OF HER HAND SOME DAY WE WANT TO GO THERE AND KNOWING THESE GALS COULD BE VERY VERY HELPFUL I THINK THEIR NAMES ARE HEATHER AND JENNIFER BUT I ALWAYS FORGET WHICH IS WHICH ONE WAS WORKING THE BLISTERS ON THE BOTTOM OF THEIR BOAT AND THE OTHER WAS CHANGING A TRANSMISSION FLUID DELIRERY HOSE ON THEIR CAR CAN YOU SAY QUITE CAPABLE LADIES CAM OR THE DOCTOR HAS TO FLY OUT TODAY BUT WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN SOMETIME IN THE MEANTIME JOHN AND I WILL VISIT HE AND HOLLY AT HIS FISHING CAMP IN YANKEE TOWN FLA HE HAS A GREAT SET UP AND ABOAT FOR FISHING THE GULF OF MEXICO AFTER WALKING AROUND AND DOING SOME ODD JOBS ON THE BOAT WE GOT THE DINGHY DOWN AND WENT EXPLORING UP THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER AND GUESS WHAT IT WAS EXACTLY AS HAD BEEN ADVERTISED BEAUTTIFUL BUT SIMPLEY

SPARE PARTS

I WILL SURELY LEAVE SOMETHING OUT SO FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNOW OF YOUR ADDIONS TO THIS LIST I AM NOT TRYING TO ACT LIKE AN EXPERT JUST SHARING EXPERIENCES I LEARNED ALONG TIME AGO AS A COACH BEG BORROW AND STEAL IDAS FROM EVERYBODY AND ADD THEM TO YOUR OWN BAG OF TRICKS AND MAKE THEM WORK FOR YOU THE OLD TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE IDEA WE KEEP OIL AND A LOT OF IT ON BOARD 15 40 AND 30 TRANSMISSION FLUID OUTBOARD TWO CYCLE FILTERS FOR EVERYTHING IMPELLERS THERMOSTATS PACKING MATERIAL DIESEL SOCKS DISTILLED WATER ANTIFREEZE DIESEL FUEL WD 40 WINDSHILD WASHER FLD BELTS SEPARATOR FILTERS ZINC PLUGS RADIATOR CAP

INGENEOUS INVENTIONS

NEED IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ANYWAY SOME OF OUR GOODIES INCLUDE THE USE OF BUNGEE CORDS TO HOLD A ROTATING FAN UP IN THE WINDOW OF THE FLY BRIDGE ON ESPECIALLY HOT DAYS TO COOL THINGS A BIT NEXT A CARDBOARD BOX WITH A HOLE CUT IN THE TOP FOR THE COMPUTER TO SIT ON ON THE FLY BRIDGE NOT ONLY TO RAISE IT FOR EASIER VIEWING BUT FOR COOLING IT ALSO WE USE THE COMPUTER WITH A PROGRAM PETE HANSEN TOLD JAN ABOUT IT SHOWS THE RIVER OR WATERWAY YOU ARE ON AND A LITTLE REP OF YOUR BOAT IN ITS EXACT LOCATION ON THE RIVER AND THE SAILING LINE WHICH IS THE CHANNEL OR DEEPEST WATER I ALWAYS SAY YOU COULD DRIVE THE BOAT WITHOUT EVER LOOKING AT THE WATER IF IT WERE NOT FOR DEBRIS THAT WOULD SOON END THE TRIP OR AS COACH CALLS THEM TRIP ENDERS WE USE RUBBER COATED CLAMPS TO HOLD THE PAGES OF THE CHARTS THE ATLAS THE QUIMBEYS OUR LOG AND ANY OTHER PAGES IN THE BREEZE FOR THEY WILL NOT LAST LONG IN THE WIND WE ALSO USE A POP CASE BOX FOLDED INTO A SUN SCREEN FOR THE COMPUTER FOR COMPUTERS ARE HARD TO SEE IN THE SUNSHINE TO HOLD THE CARDBOARD IN PLACE WE HAVE A FLEXIBLE PIECE OF COATED ROD THAT WILL BEND AND HOLD SHAPE QUITE WELL JUST FIT IT TO THE COMPUTER EDGES AND PRESTO IT HOLDS THE SUN SCREEN IN PLACE WE HAVE A DIAL ROD ABOUT FOOT AND HALF LONG WITH A RED BALL ON ONE END AND A GREEN BALL ON THE OTHER END SO YOU NEVER FORGET WHERE THE RED AND GREEN MARKER BUOYS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE I WILL BET I CHECK THAT ROD AT LEAST 20 TIMES A DAY AND OF COURE YOU HAVE TO CHANGE IT END FOR END AS THE WATERWAYS CHANGE I E GOING INTO A MARINA OR UP A CANAL TO A MARINA JUST SOME FUN THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BUT PEOPLE ARE QUITE INVENTIVE WHEN THEY HAVE TO BE

YAHOO DEMOPOLIS 22 AUG

I DO NOT SAY YAHOO BECAUSE I AM GLAD THE TRIP IS OVER I SAY IT BECAUSE A GOAL HAS BEEN REACHED WE ARE HERE SAFE AND SOUND EXCEPT FOR THE GOOD DOCTORS BIG TOE WHICH HE PROBABLY BROKE AND IS LOSING THE NAIL OFF OF THE DOC AND I RAN THE LAST TWO DAYS WITHOUT COACH FOR HE DROVE MY TRUCK FROM WAVERLY TO DEMOP WE SPENT THE BIGGEST PART OF BOTH DAYS IN BAD STORMS HEAVY RAINS AND ALOT OF LIGHTENING COACH GOT TO DEMOP BEFORE WE DID SO HE WAS HERE ON THE MARINA RADIO BRINGING US IN IN THE STORM VERY CLEVER AND VERY HELPFUL WE BASICALLY HAVE BEEN DOING BRKFST AND LUNCH ON THE BOAT AND EATING OUT AT NITE LITE BRKFST AND LUNCHMEAT FOR LUNCH WE HAVE TO CLEAN THE REFRIG FOR THEY TOLD JOHN THE ELECT IN THE HARD AREA IS NOT VERY RELIABLE CAM DID A GREAT JOBWITH THE LOCKS I LOVE MY WIFE DEARLY AND SHE IS QUITE CAPABLE BUT THERE IS A DIFF BETWEEN A LADY ON THE LOCK LINES AND GUYS WHO WERE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND WRESTLERS CAN YOU SAY MUSCLE NOT TO MENTION NO BROKEN ARMS WHILE WE WERE AT GRAND HARBOR WE HAD DINNER TWO EVENINGS WITH TOMMY WILLIAMS JAN AND MY TOW CAPT FRIEND THE LAST EVE WE WENT TO HIS HOUSE AFTER DINNER AND WATCHED VIDEOS OF TOW DISASTERS WRECKS SINKINGS ETC AND TALKED AND TALKED ABOUT BOATING IT IS SO MUCH FUN YO TALK AND ASK QUESTIONS OF SOMEONE SO KNOWLEDGEABLE ANOTHER NICE GUY AT GRAND IS CHIP LUCAS THE MGR HE IS VERY WELL INFORMED ALSO HE IS HEADED FOR M CITY BOAT SHOW GREAT GUY STOP AND SEE HIM MY ENDING ARTICLES WILL BE ABOUT LOCKING THRU PASSING TOWS ITEMS TO CONSIDER WHEN LEAVING THE BOAT ELECTRONICS SPARE PARTS AND FINALLY OUR INGENEOUS INVENTIONS

TUES 18 09

WELL WE SPENT THIS DAY VERY USEFULLY IT RAINED ALL NITE AND WAS CRAPPY THIS A M SO WE WENT TO THE STORES DO I NEED TO TELL YOU WHICH ONES CHIP HUNG OUT WITH US AWHILE AS DID TOMMY W WE FISHED A LITTLE WORKED ALOT SOMEONE TOLD US OUR SURGES MAY BE THE FUEL FILTER SO WE CHANGED IT WILL UPDATE THAT ONE FOR YOU DRIED OUT THE BOW CUSHIONS UPDATED THE BLOG FILLED UP WITH WATER AND LOAFED GROCERY SHOPPED JAN YOU KNOW HOW I LOVE THAT BUT I DID GET TO MY FAVORITE TOOL STORE DOLLAR GENERAL THAT JOKE IS FOR MY PALBILL WHO MAKES FUN OF MY TOOLS JAN THINKS WE ARE HAVING FUN AND MEETING ALOT OF PEOPLE I HOPE THAT IS GOOD I MISS THE REAL CAPT AND OF COURSE THE NUT OUR DOG PEANUT THIS AFTERNOON HOT AND SUNNY OFF TMORROW FOR MIDWAY ONE OF PETE HANSENS FAVS ENGINE CHECKS DONE AND READY TO GO ENGINE CHECKS INCLUDE OIL CK FILTER CKS LEAK CKS VIUAL CKS TRANS FL CKS FUEL TUBE CKS GENNIE CKS DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS PACKING CK SEPARATOR CKS SEACOCK CKS JUST TO MENTION A FEW PETE TAUGHT ME NEVER TO PULL OUT WITHOUT THESE CHECKS BOB LUSCO DID THESE WHEN I BOUGHT THE BOAT BUT I WAS NOT SMART ENOUGH TO LEARN THEM FROM HIM I JUST LET HIM DO THEM LIKE HE WAS GOING TO DO THEM THE LIFE OF THE BOAT OH WELL LIVE AND LEARN NEVER STOP LEARNING AND MY GOODNESS IS THERE A LOT TO LEARN ABOUT A BOAT GOING OUT WITH CHIP AND TOMMY W FOR DINNER OUR TURN TO TREAT THEN WE WILL BE COOKING OUT RIBS STEAKS AND SAUSAGE THE NEXT FEW EVENINGS WE ARE TREATING OURSELVES QUITE NICELY AFTER ALL WE DESERVE IT WELL WAIT A MINUTE I DO I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THOSE OTHER TWO

17 AUG 09

WELL WE ARE NOW HEADED TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE MARINAS GRAND HARBOR THIS PLACE IS SO COOL THE BATHROOM HAS A PLASMA HD TV OVER THE URINAL WITH THE WEATHER CHANNEL ON IT NOT TO MENTION ONE OF THE NICEST MOST HELPFUL GUYS ON THE WATERWAYS CHIP LUCAS EVERYONE KNOWS AND RESPECTS CHIP HE TAKES CARE OF BUSINESS RUNS A TIGHT SHIP AND IS NOT A BIG DEAL GOOD GUY JAN AND I HAD MET HIM BEFORE AT THE M CITY BOAT SHOW AND HE REMEMBERED WE WERE TEACHERS HE WILL BE THERE NEXT WEEK CHIP LUCAS STOP AND TELL HIM YOU HEARD HE WAS A GOOD GUY SO DOWN THE RIVER WE GO DO NOT FORGET THIS IS A RIVER NO MATTER WHAT YOU CALL IT MORE AND MORE LIKE A RIVER THAN A LOCK AND DAM AND THEN ANOTHER POOL OR LAKE UNTIL THE NEXT LOCK NOW CAM IS AN OLD HAND WITH THE BOAT AND ALL IS GOING WELL WE HAVE TO ST OUT COACH ONCE IN AWHILE BUT THAT WAS TO BE EXPECTED DOING FINE EVERYONE IS DOING THEIR SHARE AND THE BOYS HAVE NOT REBELLED AGAINST MY BOSSINESS SO WE CALL CHIP AT GRAND AND HE IS OUT TO GREET US AND SO ARE TWO KIDS TO HELP US EVEN THO IT IS POURING DOWN THE RAIN SO I AM CAPT TOM COACH IS COACH AND NOW CAM THE DOCTOR SO COBE WHEN YOU SEE A REFERENCE TO THE DOCTOR THAT IS YOUR POPA OR GRANDFATHER NICE NITE AT JONS PIER A GREAT RESTAURANT OWNED BY A GUY FROM IND WHO IS ALWAYS GLAD TO GET NEWS FROM BACK HOME JIM IS HIS NAME WE MET OUR FRIEND TOMMY WILLIAMS OR LITTLE ED AS HE IS KNOWN AND HAD DINNER WITH HIM HE BOUGHT DINNER AND HIS BUDDY KEPT BUYING CHOC MARTINIS OH HOW I HATE THAT WHEN IT HAPPENS WE ARE BEING TREATED AWFULLY NICE TONITE WE WILL TREAT CAUGHT TWO FISH OFF THE DOCK RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE MARINA REALLY NOT FAIR BECAUSE THEY WERE JUMPING OUT OF THE WATER AND ALL I HAD TO DO WAS CAST INTO THE ACTION CAN YOU SAY FISH IN A BARREL ALSO COBE POPA BROKE HIS TOE YESTERDAY AND IS HOBBLED STUBBED IT ON THE BOAT THE ONLY INJURY SO FAR HERE IS A LITTLE SPANISH FOR YOU ADIOS PS COACH WON THE FOOTBALL POOL AT THE RESTAURANT LAST NITE 100 DOLLARS TOMMY WILLIAMS HAD PUT US IN THEN BROUGHT THE MONEY OVER TUES A M CAN YOU SAY LUCKIER THAN A ADIOS

16 AUG 09

YOWSER CAN YOU SAY EYE CANDY WE ARE COMING INTO THE MARINA AND THESE TWO SOUTHERN BELLS DECIDE WE NEED TO SEE THE LOCAL SIGHTS SO THE TOPS CAME OFF AND THE DANCING BEGAN WE OF COURSE COVERED OUR EYES AND TURNED OUR HEADS I HATE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS WE HAD SEEN THAT ONCE IN CHICAGO AND ONCE ON THE OHIO WHILE ON THE TOW BOAT CAPT TOMMY WILLIAMS SAID IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME TO THE TOW A BOATER WE REFERRED TO AS COWBOY SAW US COMING IN AS HE WAS COMING OUT AND YELLED TO ASK IF WE WERE COMING IN AFFFIRMATIVE SO HE WHEELS AROUND AND COWBOYS BACK IN AND IS THERE WAITING FOR US AND DOCKING US WE GAVE HIM THE APPROPRIATE COLD DRINK AND HE LOVED US WE SAW COACH WHO LIVES AT THE MARINA AND HIS LOVLEY WIFE SONJA WHO HELPS RUN IT ALSO THE LOCAL CELEBRITY AND STATE POLITICIAN WHO OWNS THE PLACE NICE NICEFOLKS

15 aug 09

HEY WE ARE BACK HEADED TO CUBA LANDING TODAY CAM FROM FLA IS COMING TO PARIS LANDING TO JOIN US AND TO HEAD OUT FLEW INTO NVILLE AND MET THEIR FRIEND BILL SINCLAIR WHO PICKED HIM UP AT THE AIRPORT AND BROUGHT HIM TO MEET US AND OFF WE GO HAD TO JUMP THE PORT ENGINE BECAUSE THAT POOR BATTERY HAS BEEN BOILED DRY SO MANY TIMES THANK GOD BILL EDSTROM TALKED ME INTO A BATTERY PACK AND I GOT A GOOD ONE A JOB WELL DONE HAD A GREAT TRIP NO LOCKS YET GET TO CUBA LANDING AND GENEVA RUNS THE PLACE AND SHE IS A SWEETHEART AND SO IS JENNIFER WHO WORKS THERE AND WAS HAVING HER 24 BDAY SO OF COURSE WE CARRIED HER HIGH AND THE NEXT DAY I USED MY OLD SMOOTH JAILHOUSE QUESTION ON HER ASKING WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF JAIL THAT MORNING AND OF COURSE SHE WAS SO SWEET SHE THOUGHT I WAS SO FUNNY CAN YOU SAY CORNBALL ALSO HER HUSBAND WORKED THERE AND HE DID NOT APPPRECIATE HER HOSPITALITY AND FRIENDLINESS I E A LITTLE SURLEY SO WE HAD JENNIFER COOK US SUPPER AFTER I ANNOUNCED WE HAD NO PROPANE FOR THE GRILL AND THEN FOUND 4 0F THEM THE NEXT MORNING CAN YOU SAY COLD BEER BUT A FINE STOP PICKED UP SOME GOODIES FOR BILL E UP AND OFF TO CLIFTON

15 AUG 09

PARIS LANDING TO CUBA LANDING ON SAT BEAUTIFUL WEATHER CUBA LANDING IS A FAIRLY LARGE MARINA NOT LARGE FOR TRANSIENTS BUT QUITE LARGE FOR LOCAL FOLKS GOOD FISHING AND GOOD SANDWICHES AND NICE PEOPLE GENEVA RUNS THE PLACE AND IS A REAL SWEETHEART TOOK GOOD CARE OF US ANOTHER NICE GAL THERE WAS JENNIFER WHO COOKS AND WHOSE HUSBAND ALSO WORKS THERE AND KEEPS A CLOSE EYE ON HER JUST FOR YOUR INFO BUT SHE HAD HER 24 BDAY AND WAS AT WORK BRIGHT AND EARLY THE NEXT DAY OF COURSE I HAD TO TEASE HER ABOUT BEING IN THE LOCAL JAILHOUSE THE NITE BEFORE STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE PORT BATTERY WE HAVE TO USE THE BATTERY PAC TO START IT EACH DAY BUT NO NEW BATTERY UNTIL NEXT SEASON JENNIFERS HUSBAND ALSO WORKS THERE AND IS NOT NEAR AS PRETTY NOR FRIENDLY AS SHE IS

FRIDAY 14 O9

END OF THE SUMMER TWO WEEK TRIP TO DEMOPOLIS FOR BOTTOM WORK ON THE BOAT DOING THE BOTTOM ON THE HARD OBVIOUSLY AND LEAVING IT UP FOR THE WINTER MONTHS ON ADVICE OF PETE HANSEN FIRST NITE OUT SPENT AT COACH COOKS MOM AND DADS IN CENTERVILLE EIGHTY SOME YEAR OLD FOLKS WHO ARE JUST MARVELOUS MARVELOUS DELIGHTFUL PEOPLE FARMERS WHO WERE ALSO HORSE AND MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS DURING THEIR DAY THEY ARE SO HOSPITABLE AND ENJOYABLE AND FUN TO VISIT NOT TO MENTION THE FOOD HIS MOTHER SERVES A LITTLE GAL ALL OF 75 LBS BUT WHAT A COOK SHE AND SISTER ROSIE WORKED ON THE MEAL WHILE JOHN MOWED AND FATHER JIM AND I SAT IN THE SWING AND TALKED AND TALKED ALSO TRADING KNIVES WE HAD THE FARM SUPPER COMPLETE WITH FOUR MEAT ENTREES THREE POTATOE DISHES AND THREE PIES PEACH CHERRY AND PUMPKIN DID NOT NEED TO EAT FOR A WEEK SHE WANTED US FOR BREAKFAST BUT WE PASSED ON THAT ALTHOUGH I HAD A PIECE OF EACH PIE AND A COFFEE JIM COOK HAS A MILLION STORIES ALL WHICH I AM GLAD TO HEAR SO WE TALK AND TALK SARAH A NEIGHBOR STOPPED BY WITH CORN AND STAYED TO VISIT WHAT A NICE GAL AND SAYS SHE MAKES GOOD SALSA LOOKING FORWARD TO FINDING OUT ABOUT THAT WE ARRIVIED FRI NITE AT PARIS LANDING TO THE VISIT AND DINNER WITH RON AND TERRY FROM MARQUETTE YACHT CLUB DAN AND REBECCA FROM KENTUCKY LAKE AND THE HUBBS FROM K LAKE AND FORMERLY FROM BOONE GROVE GREAT START FOR OUR TRIP THE NEXT MORNING OUR GOOD BUDDY CAM FROM FLA JOINED US AND THE CREW WAS ASSEMBLED

HERE FOLLOWS SOME OF NUT AND MY FAVORITE SOUTHERN SAYINGS WE PICKED UP ALONG THE WAY GET ER DONE GOT ER DID HONEY HOLE IS A GOOD FISHING SPOT GO FETCH EM ATTENTION ALL BOATERS THE NUMBER ONE BIGGEST DEMANDING PROBLEM IN BOATING IS WHEN YOU ARE TAKING ON MORE WATER THAN YOU CAN GET RID OF TATERS MATERS AND MINNERS EAT THE FIRST TWO AND FISH WITH THE LAST ONES THAT OLD GAL IS AS COUNTRY AS DIRT YONDER SHE COMES AND JANS FAV SHE GOT A KICK OUT OF THIS ONE BISON AMERICAS ORIGINAL RED MEAT

I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LIST TOFIGS AND FIG PRESERVES CHEW ON NOW THAT THE REAL CAPTAIN HAS GONE HOME TO PREP FOR THE REAL WORLD THE NUT AND I ARE ALONE ON THE BOAT YESTERDAY WE BROUGHT HER FROM KENTUCKY DAM MARINA TO PARIS LANDING WE SURE DO MISS OUR FIRST MATE THE FIRST MATE HAS A GOLD PLAQUE ONBOARD THAT SAYS MY HUSBAND IS THE CAPTAIN BUT I HAVE BEEN APPOINTED ADMIRAL NUT AND I GOT HERE LAST NITE AND FISHED FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND THEN ATE AND HIT THE HAY THIS A M WE WERE UP AT 5 30 AND HAD ALOT OF OUR CHORES DONE BY 8 30 OH MYY INSPIRATION TO DO THIS BLOG CAME FROM MY NEW FAVORITE DRINK SWEET TEA SO I DECIDED TO GIVE YOU SOME OF OUR NEW FOODS FOUND ALONG THE WAY FIGS AND FIG PRESERVES AS MADE BY JO JO AT WAVERLY REALLY GOOD WARM ON A HOT BISCUIT HALEPENO SLICES SAUTED IN THE OIL TO BE USED TO POP SOME CORN OF COURSE GRITS PERSIMMONS GREEN FRIED TOMATOS FRIED DILL PICKLES THESE SOUTHERN FOLK NEVER HAVE SEEN SOMETHING THEY CAN NOT FRY PECAN COBBLER IT WAS REALLY GOOD SO I ASKED THE GIRL AT THE RESTAURANT FOR THE RECIPE AND SHE SAID TO BAKE A PECAN PIE THEN TURN IT OVER STIR IT UP AND SERVE IT SMOKED BOLONGNA SANDWICH THOSE LAST TWO WERE ACTUALLY MY LUNCH IN GRAND RIVERS ONE DAY OH AND A BIG GLASS OF SWEET TEA TO WASH IT DOWN SALT PORK JERK CHICKEN DANDY WINE HERES A NEW ONE FOR YOU DEEP FRIED GREEN BEANS CHOW CHOW JAN IS ADDICTED TO THAT STUFF AND TOOK HOME A CASE SLAW SERVED ON YOUR BBQ SANDWICH GUMBO CRAWFISH THE 34 99 SPECIAL WAS A CASE OF BUD 5LBS OF CRAWFISH POTATOES AND SLAW BACON SERVED ABOUT QUARTER INCH THICK HERES ONE FOR YOU CHOCOLATE GRAVY AND I WILL END ON THAT ONE GOOD PADDLING FROM THE NUT AND I

Thursday, July 23

The night was one of those that you hate. You know you need your rest because the day was going to be long but you keep waking up because your worried the alarm won't go off. When the alarm did sound I thought about the beautiful sunrise pictures I might get as we moved toward the lock, which made getting up at this hour on my vacation more palatable. What I saw was fog! Thick, heavy fog that made it impossible to see the shoreline across the river. My heart sank, but I kept thinking positively. We completed our morning routine of checks and I voiced my thoughts. You know I don't do fog! Of course I already knew the response, if we want to get through this lock before Saturday we don't have much choice. We waited as long as we could but witnessed no change in the fogs density. The decision was made to go ahead. Tom concentrated on the radar and depth finder and I on the computer and the river directly in front of the boat for logs. We kept reassuring ourselves quietly and out loud that it was going to burn off at the first signs of light, but it didn't. When we came within a mile of the lock we came upon a a tow tied up and waiting as well. We were told to be here at 7am. It was now 6:50. I called the lock on the phone and told them we were here. The news was not what we wanted to hear. They had problems overnight and the gate was not yet repaired. It would be noon or 1pm they hoped. As far as we were concerned there were no choices, we were not going to go back through the fog to Riverview, the river was calm so in neutral we went. As we drifted we could faintly see a park and small dock. Since our options were to float for several hours or tie up we carefully moved towards the dock and successfully tied up. About thirty minutes later we received a call from the lock to come ahead and tie up on the lock wall. They would talk with us when we arrived. The Lockmaster, Billy Boyd and Mark met us and explained the situation. The engineers were working on the gate and would have to test it before they could chance having a tow come through. They were going to try and get us through on the test run. Once in the lock, if the gate didn't open we would have to turn around in the lock, exiting the way we came in. Billy Boyd and Mark stayed and visited with us. It was a great conversation filled with laughter which made the time pass quickly. We expressed our gratitude for their kindness and willingness to help us. Their response was so genuine, "we believe in treating everyone like they are our neighbor". We wanted to help you if we could! Why are we living up North! Billy Boyd has worked at that lock for 21 years. I would love to hear some of the experiences with boaters she has had. A little over an hour passed and we received word to move into the lock. We secured ourselves to the mooring pin and waited. The fog had lifted and the sun was warm and bright. About 40 minutes later the engineers signaled they were going to try the gate. We listened to the calling of orders with nervous anticipation. The gate creaked open several inches at a time with each call. When I realized that gate was really going to open a sigh of relief traveled the length of my body and a smile the width of that gate appeared on my face. Because the gate had been closed for two days, a lot of logs and garbage had drifted up against it. Once given the word to exit the lock we carefully maneuvered around it all. Billy and Mark wished us a safe journey and the best of luck in arriving at our destination on time. They asked us to make sure we stopped in if we came back that way. We again thanked them for all of their efforts, making it possible for us to get through. We had met two more exceptionally kind people! At 10:15 we were on our way. We arrived at Barkley State Park marina at 7:45. We had been on the river for nearly 13 hours, a very long day!

Wed. July 22
We had dinner on the deck of the Riverview restaurant again this evening. When our dinner arrived I looked over at Tom's baked potato. It reminded me a lot of how I feel right now, brown on the outside and ROUND! I promised myself I would eat light and healthy this trip. That lasted about a week! Oh well. Seriously it is so peaceful overlooking the water while you enjoy a meal. It was quiet tonight, not a large crowd at the restaurant and no boats racing by. The rain had stopped but the sky was still filled with heavy clouds giving the river a somewhat eerie and mysterious look. There are so many aspects of boating that draw people to it. Watersports, fun with family and friends. traveling, or simply tied up to a long dock in a fairly remote portion of the river where the only sounds to be heard are those of an occasional duck or jumping fish. I spoke with a gal who lives in Sun City for ten months of the year. For two months each year they live and travel on their boat. This is what she told me. We love to anchor out. I get up early taking my coffee out on the back deck.The morning mist has surrounded our boat like a cool but comforting blanket. I sip my coffee and watch as the sun burns the mist from around us and brings in another beautiful day, "it just doesn't get any better than that".
We watched a couple of kittens play among some ducks along the rivers edge this evening. Neither seemed to be bothered by the other. Two different species of being sharing space and getting along just fine. Maybe mankind should take note! Most of our year is spent hustling around the city. People honking or tailgating because they are in a hurry, being treated with indifference by many of our local store clerks, ignored when you obviously look confused in a shopping aisle, and on and on. Unlike home, while in the South we have visited places and encountered situations that have restored our belief that the word kind in mankind still means something. Today has been a perfect example of what we have experienced in the South. As you know from yesterdays blog entry we have been stranded because of a closed Lock. Last night a young lady from the restaurant named Gabrielle told me she worked at the Lock and would keep us posted on the repair schedule. Late this morning the owner of the restaurant, Walt, offered to give me a ride to Nashville if I needed one. Early this afternoon one of the ladies from the restaurant walked down to the boat, in the rain, to let us know that someone from the lock called and said if we were there at 7:00am tomorrow we could go through. I think Gabrielle explained our problem to them. The gal also told us she worked until nine so if we needed her car, just let her know. Later this afternoon Tom received a phone call from Louie. Louie and Sheila were the nice couple who helped us tie up in the dark at Clarksville. They had read yesterdays blog and offered to come and pick me up and give me a ride to Paducah! When Tom finished the conversation he turned to me and said,"Why do we live up North"? Southern Hospitality is alive and well! A special thank you to all of these kind people who are helping me get back home on time.

Wednesday, July 22

Tuesday, July 21st,
On our way to Nashville this past Saturday we spoke with Tommy Williams, our friend the towboat captain. He indicated he was bringing the Enterprise Star to Nashville on Monday. A group of 80 teachers and other educators and staff from Ingram were going to tour the towboat. The teachers were attending a conference on energy conservation and its incorporation into the classroom curriculum. Tommy asked if Tom and I were available to come and answer any questions the visitors might have from the prospective of an educator who traveled on the river. I was thrilled with the opportunity to once again step on the deck of the Enterprise Star and proud that Captain Tommy had asked us. The educators,came through in groups of twenty. Tom and I met them in the galley and answered questions. We met educators from many states and Japan, had an opportunity to meet employees of Ingram Barge Company, get in a short visit with our friend Tommy and reconnect with Lisa R. who arranged for our four day stay on the Enterprise last summer. It was a great morning! We left Nashville about 12:30 this afternoon. We traveled to Riverview marina, which was a 48 mile day. The marina is a long dock with electricity and a restaurant. A very good restaurant! We were told in Nashville that Cheathum Lock which we must pass through is closed for repair. It was supposed to open tonight. I just called the lockmaster. It seems it will be closed for two days! Not good, since I am supposed to be picking up a rental in Paducah on Thursday to head for home. A new challenge to solve!

Monday, July 20th
You may detect a twang in my voice oh I mean words, from all of the country music! We arrived in Nashville on Saturday and have been busy enjoying the city. It has been a good break after two very long days of travel to get here. We miscalculated how long it would take us to get to Clarksville and ended up spending the last hour driving in the dark! Not fun! There are so many floaters in the Cumberland that I was a nervous wreck, not counting the fact that it was pitch black and the river was not straight! Thank goodness we had the computer program to navigate by and the bugs weren't bad like they were when this happened two summers ago on our way to Green Turtle Bay. We arrived at the Clarksville city dock about 9:30 with a huge sigh of relief reminding ourselves that we said we would not travel in the dark ever again the last time this happened. The consensus was that we needed to do a better job of calculating our time! By then Peanut had both front and back legs crossed and almost didn't make it to the nearest grassy area. We felt bad for her, almost 10 hours on the water is a long time! A very nice couple helped us tie up. They were new to boating and anxious to talk when they found out we had been through a lock.
We left Clarksville at 9:00 We had one lock to tackle. When we arrived at the lock we found we had an hour and forty five minute wait because they had to break down a tow to get it in the lock. We had no place to tie up soooooo, we floated around for nearly two hours. By the time the tow was through there were 10 other boats waiting to get in the lock, thankfully we all fit! Once we were through the river widened for a while and was busy with "go fast boats" skiers and tubes. All out for a beautiful day on the water. Soon we were back to wilderness and quiet. We had not seen this part of the river but it was hard to enjoy the scenery because of all the logs, sticks and other stuff in the water. We had to do a lot of weaving around it all. At one point I thought to myself, if we were on a highway we would be pulled over for erratic driving! I did enjoy watching all the birds though. The river had no rip rap along this section and the erosion was clearly visible and disconcerting. Large trees had fallen in all along the banks, and the high banks had begun to fall in as well, much of it from the wake of the boats I am sure. As we neared Nashville the land quickly changed from forest to farm and then to hills. As we approached the city the skyline reminded me of Chicago as you neared the harbor. We arrived about 7:00pm. A long day, yes but the beautiful scenery, sunshine and the peacefulness of the surroundings made it an enjoyable one. I have added some new pictures below.

July 16th

We spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday night at Green Turtle Bay. Sunday was spent organizing for the arrival of Tom's daughter Natalie and her boyfriend Devin who were to arrive at GTB on Monday afternoon. Sunday was a good day to organize as it was overcast and rainy. Monday was cloudy but warm. We took Nat and Devin to Patties restaurant in Grand Rivers Monday evening for the famous two inch pork chop. Sorry, about the sideways picture of the pork chop, I can't figure out how to turn it. Tuesday was a beautiful sunny day! We headed for the quarry so the kids could swim and kayak. As we approached the quarry we had to cross the path of a large tow. You can imagine our excitement when we realized the towboat pushing the barges we just passed was the Enterprise Star, the towboat we rode on last summer. We hailed them on the radio, turned around and ran along with them, at a safe distance of course, for a few minutes to visit via radio. After a day of play we headed for Kentucky Dam Marina where we spent Tuesday night. The marina is at the edge of Kentucky Dam State Park so we took advantage of their buffet dinner and did some more fishing. Yesterday morning Devin and Tom got up early to try and catch fish. You see, Nat was outfishing them 4-1! It seems that those fancy lures still can't out do a good ol night crawler on a hook! After a great catfish lunch at The Moors resteruant we took Nat and Devin back to their car at Green Turtle Bay marina then headed back to our boat. A really powerful storm blew in late in the evening. The winds were strong blowing lawn chairs from the house boats around us into the water. The lightning and accompanying thunder lasted about 45 minutes, making me very nervous. At one point a lightning strike looked more like an explosion and the thunder was immediate. I screamed and grabbed Tom's neck. Not sure how choking him was going to help! This morning we woke up to fog, so we worked around the boat until mid morning. The forecast called for more thunderstorms and the cloud cover was thick and low. Being the nervous Nelly that I am about boating in a storm we agreed to cut our day short and come to Buzzard Rock marina, only a 12 mile trip. We took it slow as visibility still was not the best. At one point we approached a tow, followed him until the channel widened a little and then began passing with his permission. Just about the time we passed him we lost an engine! Thank goodness we have two! As the tow passed us again,heaven knows what he was thinking, I drove on one engine, while Tom crawled down in the engine room. All seemed fine so he tried the engine again and it started. We didn't have much farther to go to arrive here at Buzzard Rock. It never did storm again. Be sure to check out a few pictures I posted below.

July 16th, 2009

July 12, 2009 - entry by Tom
Now that we are to the 11th of July I want to mention all the nice visitors we have had and then some of the characters we have met along the way. First of all coach and his friend Lynn left Waverly with us at the beginning of this trip so they could help us get through the locks and onto the Kentucky and Barkley Pools. Basically once you are on these two lakes you don't have to worry about "locks". With Jan having that serious injury to her right arm she can not handle the lines in a lock - nor can she do the driving in a lock. After Coach's departure we had cousin Gary and Leah from St. Charles, Mo. and Jan's brother Ron and his friend Natalie. We had fun with these four also. Swimming, tubing, dinghy riding, fishing, kayaking and a lot of interesting family talk. Mark and Zina Conner were on a get away weekend to Paris Landing so we got together with them today and had a great visit. So in a nutshell, coach and Lynn from Waverly to Cuba Landing. Then alone to Paris Landing to Green Turtle Bay to meet Gary and Leah, Ron and Natalie for a trip to Barkley State Park. We have stayed in eight different marinas ranging from $25.00 to $52.00 a night We have put in 126 gallons of fuel at $2.90 per gallon and have gone a total of 377 miles so far.
But - don't think this is all fun and games, just turn the keys and go - no way. Here is a list of problems we have encountered so far but also remember this is all a labor of love. So the problems and the characters follow;
Problems: Stbd engine - sucking air in fuel line - had to bleed at the fuel injector and at the lift pump. Port Engine - selenoid problems - had to check electrical setup, switch and lube it Crane cable came off the spool - had to reconnect, Dinghy engine leaking gasoline and dieing after 2-3 minutes - changed hose, Port Engine battery boiled almost dry - add acid and water, Gennie reset button off and "out of sight" - discovery, mid-ship bilge pump hose control blocked shut - disassemble, Drive shaft coupler bolts loose with two nuts completely off - tighten in an impossible position, a few of the 12v lights corroded and not working - change or sand connections.
Characters: Cliff and Rita managers at Waverly Marina - Geneva, manager at Cuba Landing - Coach and wife managing Clifton marina - Chip, site manager at Grand Harbor. These people and people like them make boating fun, exciting, do-able and hospitable. They are there to help and serve boaters a long the way - and are they good at it!

Saturday, July 11th.
It is hard to believe it's Saturday and I have not updated my posts since the sixth. It has been an extremely busy week filled with fun and frustration. On Tuesday afternoon Tom and I arrived at Paris Landing State Park and Marina in Paris Kentucky. We enjoyed their great buffet and pool and busily prepared Laughter for her next set of guests. My brother Ron and his girlfriend Natalie were to arrive that afternoon. They called and told us they were in Ill. but were turning around. Natalie had a family emergency. We were disappointed that we would not get to spend time with them but we were really sad for them. I know how important vacations are for renewal of the body, mind and soul and I know how hard they work and needed a break.
On Wednesday we were up early with a heading of Green Turtle Bay Marina, on Barkley Lake in Kentucky. We thought we would arrive about 12:30. My cousin Gary and his wife Leah were meeting us. Remember when I said fun and frustration? Well, Laughter would not start again! After an hour plus she was running and we were on our way to Green Turtle. We arrived about two hours later than planned but you have to look at the bright side. We did get there!
On Wednesday evening my brother called and said all was well on the home front and they were on their way! Yeah! Wednesday evening we visited with Gary and Leah, tootled around the marina in the dingy and did a little dock fishing, and yes, Peanut fell in again!
Thursday morning everyone had arrived and eager to get out on Barkley Lake. One of our pre-departure jobs was to return the dingy to her position up on top. Easy right, attach the cable push the up button on the crane remote and up she goes, except the cable wouldn't move! Between the mechanical talents of my brother and my cousin the cable problem was resolved. All right, fire up those engines and let's go! It is now late morning and in the ninties! The starboard engine (the one we were having issues with)started right up! Yes! I turn the key for the port engine, and nothing happens! Unbelieveable! Never fear our mechanic relatives soon figured out the problem and we were on our way to Barkley State Park marina. Thank goodness for great relatives with uncanny mechanical ability! We took our time, stopped and swam, pulled people on the tube, got caught up on our families and most importantly laughed until my face hurt! Check out a few of the pictures.

July 6, 2009
Our plan was to leave Grand Harbor early yesterday morning and arrive early afternoon at Clifton Marina. We were up early and ready to go, the problem was Laughter was not. We had an engine that would not start. After hours of working down in the engine room, a very hot cramped area underneath our salon floor, Tom was able to fix the problem and we were up and running! We pulled out of Grand Harbor about 1pm. It rained off and on all afternoon. At one point during a torrential downpour a gust of wind blew our bow pads into the river, so we spent some extra time driving around in circles rounding them up. The rain made it hard to see but unlike cruising Lake Michigan we had no high waves to battle. We arrived at Clifton marina about 6pm. Clifton is a small and very friendly marina but I am not to fond of the entrance. It is narrow and you can't really see if someone is coming out as you are entering. We were excited to have the same people we grew so fond of two years ago waiting for us to pull up to the dock. It was great to see them again and get caught up on our lives. We used the courtesy car to get a bite to eat at the only place open within miles, a truck stop, and called it a night.
THE DREADED PICKWICK LOCK! This morning we left Clifton early. As we approached Pickwick Lock I found myself pacing the aft deck. After the problems we had two years ago I had no desire to go through this lock ever again. At least we had help this time. The wind in the lock was brisk but not near what is was when we entered the lock going south. There were no white caps this time. John corralled the bollard easily and we were ready for the 58 foot drop to begin. It felt like it took forever to get to the bottom! Those gates could not open fast enough for me! When they did open the wind came in strong as if to say hey, remember me? I am still here. I briefly looked back as we cleared the lock and started breathing again. We arrived at Cuba Landing about 1pm. Here we said goodbye to John and Lynn. What a great friend we have in John! We did some laundry, a few jobs on the boat and a little fishing. We have to learn to keep peanuts life jacket on even at the dock. Tonight she got so excited when Tom caught a catfish she fell in, and it is a pretty high dock! Tom saved Peanut, thank goodness, but lost his fish!

July 4th, 2009
We arrived at Grand Harbor Marina and Condominiums on Wednesday. I have had difficulty with Internet connections so posting has been delayed. Grand Harbor is quite a facility. In fact so large that many of the boaters have golf carts to get around. The marina did have a shuttle service over the weekend which we took advantage of. Thursday we took the dingy to a popular swim area and enjoyed the warm water. I enjoyed swimming but not the occasional nip from the blue gills. Tom, John and Lynn jumped off the cliff as I watched with envy. We also pulled the kayaks along side the dingy. Tom said they were great fun. Yesterday (Friday) we felt the boat traffic on the waterway was to much for us in the dingy so we stayed within the marina going up and down the fairways looking at all of the different boats. We also swam in the pool and visited with folks we met. Today was a repeat of yesterday. There were so many boats and wave runners out that it reminded me of I65 from Crown Point to Indianapolis on a holiday weekend! The weather has remained in the nineties so the marina has been very busy. In fact we were told by one of the supervisors that they broke a record in profits yesterday. We have enjoyed sitting still for a few days but are ready to move on. We will leave bright and early for Clifton.

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!

Tuesday June 30, 2009
Well your in trouble now! I have been waiting to write a log/blog ever since we began this Southern boating trip three years ago. Now she is "turning" me loose. I have a list of articles 19 items long. They are just waiting to be written so hopefully this summer I will not blow my chance. I have been thinking over the past 3 years of ideas that might be helpful and informative so I am going to give it a whirl. Let me set the stage for this summer of 09. Some of you may know our plan was to investigate the gulf of Mexico around Mobile Bay and then go North to Demopolis and do the Black Warrior River. Well, Jan broke her right arm up near the shoulder joint; and that is quite a serious injury. She has struggled both physically and mentally for her independence and productivity. This meant our trip had to change. We are now heading north to Kentucky Lake because Jan can't help us get through the many locks required on our original trip. We left home Friday June 26th and worked our way toward Columbus/Westpoint Mississippi and our boat at Waverly Marina. We unloaded a full truck of supplies in 97 degree weather then called it a day. On Sunday we began preparing the boat for the trip. Those of you who have or have had a boat sit a year in a dirty slip know what this involves. Here are a few of the jobs needing our attention; scrubbing the entire boat, engine checks, generator checks, battery checks and on and on - you get the picture. This morning we left Waverly with our friends John and Lynn who will help us get through the four locks and on to Kentucky Lake. This will be a summer of recreation, no plans, no deadlines, no specific destinations, just boating for fun. Kentucky Lake is not as far from Indiana as Southern Mississippi so we have friends and family that are going to join us on our trip. They all ask - what can we bring to the boat? So in my first blog i am offering ideas to people who are going to stay on a boat for a few days. this list includes; your toiletries, meds(for old folks), very few clothing items - shorts, swimsuits, shorts, hats, and shirts. Bring your favorite beverages, reading material, lotion, sunglasses and food or supplies IF requested by the captain and first mate. Don't over pack! Finally bring a willingness to pitch in and help as there is more to boating than turning the key. I enjoyed writing this blog as peanut and I sit on our aft deck fishing and enjoying our surroundings at Midway marina a favorite of our friends Pete and Jan.
Tom
ON THE WATER AGAIN AND ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE! The past few months have been filled with a variety of events that have caused great turmoil in my life, including me breaking my right arm just below the shoulder. Of course I am right handed! This turmoil prevented me from allowing myself to get excited about a boating trip this summer as I was just not sure it would work out for me to go. Well things did work out and Friday afternoon Tom, peanut and I were on our way to Mississippi. We arrived Saturday afternoon and soon after met a very nice couple, Bob and Kemba, who moved onto their trawler in May. We visited on Saturday and Sunday sharing stories, information and laughter. Boaters are such great people! Visiting with them and renewing acquaintance's at the tiki bar made me realize how much I missed being on the water. After spending two days cleaning cob webs and killing the spiders that tried to move in while we were gone we left this morning for Midway Marina. My broken arm prevents me from doing much of any work that requires muscle. I guess I should be taking advantage of this dilemma but find myself fighting the frustration of my limitations. We had a beautiful warm day on

the water, 97 degrees and smooth motoring through the four locks to Midway Marina.
Jan