Since the pit is only about a mile above Lock 5A a quick call lets you know the status of the lock. Our timing was good as they had just locked a 15 barge tow through and there was now no commercial traffic in the area. Off we go.
Captain Kim likes to fidget with the electronics on the boat, computers, and the new cell phone he picked up right before leaving on the trip. The result of all this fiddling is that sometimes he wanders outside the buoy line. Not to worry though. He recognized this problem early in his boating life and added the below pictured high tech device to the helm as a reminder.
Our lockages have been pretty good so far, that is until we got to Lock 6 at Trempeleau, WI. A northbound double was just entering the lock which means a minimum one and a half hour wait. We headed outside the buoy line and dropped the anchor to wait. Trempeleau is a pretty little river town and is home to the Trempeleau Hotel which serves up good food and during the summer has music on the lawn in front of the hotel. In the past we have seen The Little River Band and Marcia Ball in concert on their lawn all while eating and drinking in a laid back setting.
We finally locked thru and continued south towards LaCrosse. A quick lockage at Lock 7 and then the only hurdle on the trip in either direction. The LaCrosse RR bridge. Quimby's Guide says to call on vhf channel 13. We did, repeatedly. No answer. Ch 16, several times. No response. Frustrating! Some guy's sitting up there with nothing to do but read the paper and watch the river. You know he's just messing with you! Well we never did get a response so we lowered the vhf antenna and idled up to the bridge while I stood on the seat back and stuck my head up above the roof to gauge the clearance. All looked good so under we went with inches to spare. In all of our travels on Tourist the most trouble we've had has been with bridges responding to our calls. Not all, but enough to make you dread approaching the next one.
After idling through the no wake area of downtown LaCrosse we pulled into LaCrosse Municipal Harbor to replenish the ice and beer supply. Not a fancy marina, but Steve has always been friendly and accommodating anytime we've been there.
We continued south through Lock 8 and ended our day anchoring behind Gillette Island for the night. Once again while anchored we witnessed another raccoon swimming across the slough to the mainland. Since we've seen this twice now as well as a fox we've come to the conclusion that it's going to be an early winter. There is no other explanation. The animals are apparently closing down their summer residences on the islands and heading back home to the mainland to hunker down for the winter. Nothing else makes sense!
Saturday 9/11/10 The cooler temps have made for restful nights during this trip. A sweatshirt or light jacket has been the norm every morning while getting underway. Very pleasant. Saturday morning was no exception as we headed south. By the time we arrived at Lansing, Iowa to top off the fuel tanks and take on some fresh water the sun was popping out from behind the clouds and the locals were gearing up for the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game when we pulled into the marina. Fuel on. Water on. Mission complete we got out of Dodge and headed towards Lock 9, our only lockage of the day.
Below Lansing the river widens from shore to shore and the channel meanders from the Iowa side across to Wisconsin.
Once again a good lockage at Lock 9 and a short 16 miles to Garnet Lake, our anchorage for our last night out. Garnet is a quiet little spot just off the channel below McGregor, IA. Usually a few other boats anchored and some fishermen during the day are all that you see here plus some spectacular scenery and a view of the channel.
Later in the day we were joined by friends Kurt & Tina of M/V Perseverance who ventured north from Dubuque. Always a great time when we get together. Kurt, who doesn't drink has become known as the "Great Enabler" among our friends. Kurt probably has the best stocked bar on any boat north of St. Louis and freely pours the firewater of your choosing! This weeks featured selection was Old Monk rum.
As always the food and drink were plentiful and the company superb as we slipped into the night.
Sunday 9/12/10 A leisurely morning was topped off by a great meal of biscuits & gravy on board Vagabond.
All too soon it was time to pull up the anchor and head home.
Travelling downstream we closed in on Lock 10 at Gutenberg, IA. Within a few miles the boat traffic picked up and we had to slow down and pick our way through the traffic. As we started passing a pontoon boat we thought we recognized a couple of the passengers. Turned out to be Dick & Sue Boggs who a few years back had a boat on H-dock at Mid-Town in East Dubuque. We exchanged pleasantries and a few barbs before continuing on.
No delay at Lock 10 but a few clouds were starting to form. The forecast said there could be a slight chance of rain later in the day. Guess we'll find out. 32 miles to our last lock at Dubuque. As we travelled south the clouds started to get darker to our west but we're still dry.
Clearly we are now in race to get to the lock before the rain. A call on the VHF to find that we can enter when we get there makes getting fenders ready a last minute detail since the boat speed prohibits working on deck until we slow down. Rain gear on anticipating a downpour we slow down to enter Lock 11. A few sprinkles but it looks like we may miss the brunt of the rain. Into the lock, grab the lines, a crack of thunder and nothing. No wind. No rain. No need for rain gear. Down we go. Dry as a bone!
We exited the lock and entered Mid-Town a few miles later to find the docks soaked from the rain we missed. Turns out the storm passed south of our position in the lock with heavy rain and strong winds.
The skipper backed Vagabond into her slip and the deckhands secured the lines bringing an end to a delightful week long trip on the Upper Mississippi.
Our thanks to Kim & Lu for inviting us to join them and share in their vacation!
No comments:
Post a Comment