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