Visit Home (Part 3)

The food frenzy continued throughout our home visit. So much so that I had to exchange my new shorts before I got a chance to wear them! We had a chance to get together with Mike & Nancy for pizza one evening. I'd like to post a picture but because of their participation in the witness protection program no cameras were allowed. Let's just say we had a great time and ate too much.

We also managed to beg another boat ride on Vagabond with Kim & LuAnn and were treated to prime rib done on the grill while at anchor. Scrumptious! We anchored behind an island just off the main channel that afforded views of the channel and calm water to deploy the "Princess Chairs".

Southbound tow.

Pam & LuAnn solving the worlds problems.

The star attraction!

Mississippi River Sunset.

Pam found herself in Galena one day for lunch with the female members of her family. Of course Oscar stole the show.

Future class clown?

One of the rituals that developed while we were home was Oscar coming into our bedroom every morning and taking the vitamin bottles from Pam's nightstand and arranging them in the doorway of the bedroom.

Proud of his work.

Just to make sure we didn't starve Pam made a pork roast one evening and invited our parents over. Everything was great but I needed to punch another hole in my belt!

Caught these two trying to make out in our chair! ( My Mom & Dad)

On another evening we traveled to Cedar Rapids to celebrate my son-in-law Doug's' birthday.

 Of course we all had to help the staff sing Happy Birthday.


The food frenzy continued when we joined Pam's sister Barb and her husband Bill at one of the local favorite restaurants.

Pam didn't notice my orange shirt till we were away from the house!


Of course the hardest part of heading back to Tourist was saying good-bye to the family.

Ellie trying to talk to Pam.

Cool Dude's.


We picked up our rental car and traveled back to Tourist with a stop in Williamsburg to see what we had missed.

Governor's Palace.

Pam's new(old) friend.

It was a great day although a bit on the hot side. We followed the period characters around for awhile listening to them banter about the impending revolt against the British. Very interesting and even with the heat the characters never missed a beat. Bravo!


The day ended when we met Bru & Sandy of M/V Coconuts at a local watering hole. They live in the area and decided to drive over for a visit.

Together again!

We arrived back at Tourist where a good cleaning awaited us before we could hit the water.

     

2012 Drought Could Stall Mississippi River Barge Traffic

Found this on Accu-Weather and thought it might be of interest to some of the readers. Of course a lot can change between now and then but it never hurts to be aware of potential problems.

2012 Drought Could Stall Mississippi River Barge Traffic

Visit Home (Part 2)

It's been busy this past week. Baptism, Birthday, Socializing, and a Holiday.

We started out with the baptism of Granddaughter Elliette on Sunday. Of course this required my physical presence in a church. Fortunately God was watching over everyone and kept the structure intact.

Elliette was a trooper and barely made a peep throughout the ceremony.

I thought they held the baby by the ankles and dipped their head into the water. Guess I was wrong!

Following the ceremony we all went to Mandy's parents for lunch. To my delight her Dad had grilled chicken to go along with all kinds of other goodies including Pam's Calico Beans. Let me just say that the chicken/bean combination was worth driving home for!

Pam's  Dad enjoying the meal.

One of the projects I've been putting off for quite awhile was the refinishing of our deck chairs from Tourist. Realizing that I wasn't getting that accomplished while on the boat we squeezed them into the rental car and brought them home.

Mission accomplished. I hope they fit in our rental for the return trip!

Tuesday afternoon we headed for M/V Vagabond to watch the annual air show and fireworks from the river. We had a surprise awaiting us when we arrived at the boat.

Double Trouble!

Pete who we know from Legacy in Ft. Myers but is really from Minnesota and Pam, a friend of ours from Dubuque were waiting for us. Neither of which we expected to see on this day.
Once the crew positions were filled we headed out to our first anchorage for the air show. We had to leave early enough to get there before they shut down the channel since they perform right over the river.

It's always fun watching the people who only bring their boats out once or twice a year try to anchor in the current of the river. This year it was running a little stronger because of a higher river stage making anchoring even more of a challenge.

Anchor line with 1:1 scope. And they wonder why they keep moving!

We set up and were joined by Mike & Nancy on M/V Eirean to watch the show.

B1 Bomber

In flight refueling plane.

A-10

Stunt Planes


Also included in the show were the Army's Black Knights Parachute Team. A P-51 Mustang. A Japanese Zero. A Biplane and a few other stunt planes.


.

The temps were in the 90's so the best place to be was in the water.

Once the air show was over they opened the channel again to let boats get in position for the fireworks. We moved to a place directly across from where they shoot them off. It's a great spot that lets us hear and see them overhead and then hear the reverberations off the Wisconsin bluffs behind us.

Looking down river at the boats anchored for the show.

Short Fireworks Video.

Dubuque has a nice display each year thanks to the many donations from local businesses.

Normal procedure for us has been to hang around well after the fireworks to let the cluster of boats work their way back downstream before we run the gauntlet. Of course the merriment continues while we wait.

Pete & Pam

We succsessfully ran the slalom course of the remaining boats and made it back to the slip unscathed. Big thanks to Kim & LuAnn for their hospitality.

July 4th. Happy Birthday Addam! Today we traveled with my parents to Shueyville, Iowa to visit my son Addam on his birthday. We had time to visit with Addam, Jeni, & Kate before heading to one of the local eateries for a late lunch. After lunch I was able to get him to pose for a picture.

3 Generations.


We made it back home in time to rest up before joining Pete & Pam for dinner.

No alcohol was harmed at this meeting!

I think by the time I get back to Tourist I won't fit through the transom gate. All I've done is eat!

The next night we joined John & Jean who had visited us in the Bahamas, for drinks at their home before going to Chestnut Mt. Resort for dinner.

John & Jean with Pam & Me.

 Chestnut is a year round resort located atop the Illinois bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River (www.chestnutmtn.com). The views are fantastic in either direction. I grew up skiing and leading trail rides at Chestnut when my Dad & Uncle were managers there back in the 60's.

Looking South from Chestnut.

The view looking North.

Being on the water and looking at these views reminds me that the people doing "The Loop" miss out on the best part of the Mississippi. Too bad. Maybe they'd have a better opinion of it.

We completed the week by traveling to Balltown, Iowa to have dinner with friends Kurt & Tina in their new home situated atop a ridge overlooking the river valley and Southwest Wisconsin. A fantastic setting. After dinner we were able to see the fireworks in Balltown just a mile down the road. A good time  was had by all!

Tina, Kurt, Kim, LuAnn, Me, & Pam


Sunday I went shopping for some new shorts with expandable waistbands!

Our Visit Home (Part 1)

Our goal coming up the East Coast was to make it home for Father's Day which we accomplished with a couple of days to spare. We celebrated that special day at Star Restaurant in Dubuque, Ia. with our parents.

OK. So maybe we just drank our meal!

Of course our primary reason for coming home was to save our marriage. It was time for Pam to get her Grand-kids fix. Little did she realize that I'd start to corrupt Oscar.

Cigars & cocktails on the deck for the boys.

In spite of my attempt to corrupt Oscar the girls had an err in judgement by leaving Elliette in my care for a short time.

I'm subliminally teaching her a few colorful words. That'l teach them!

One of the favorite activities for Oscar is laundry time. He's fascinated by the washer.

I want a ride in this thing!

We did manage to bum a boat ride on M/V Vagabond one evening. It was great to be back on the river!

Anchored behind an island in the Mississippi.

We traveled to Cedar Rapids, Ia. to my daughter's house for a Mary Kay party.

Hey girls! I need some eye liner.

Pam and I have both been making the rounds to the doctors for our annual poking and prodding sessions. I like a friendly doctor but not Too friendly if you know what I mean! Beyond the doctor visits Pam has been busy with the grand kids while I have been taking care of some household projects.

When I married Pam one of the deals I struck with her mother was that I didn't have to attend family reunions. Unfortunately Pam sometimes has to go. This was one of those years. She went and took baby Elliette who won the prized spoon given to the youngest in attendance. It was a day in the 90's and in an effort to keep Ellie cool they put her in the trunk with an umbrella to block the sun.

All we need is some duct tape to hold the umbrella in place.

It's been hot and dry since we arrived home and our yard is a burnt shade of brown. One of my projects was to fix the sprinkler system. Thankfully I found most of the information I needed online and began to eliminate potential causes one by one with no success. An online chat with the manufacturer told me to do what I had already done. Thanks! Finally I traced it to a short in a sensor and got it working. Now I suppose I'll have to cut the grass. Maybe I'm not so smart?

Of course we've been catching up with friends while home and our begging worked securing us another day on M/V Vagabond. The water level is about 4 feet higher than normal which opens up anchorages not normally accessible.  With temps in the 90's one of these spots is where we headed. Once the hook was set it didn't take long to inflate the "Princess Chairs" and get in the water.

A Southbound tow going past the entrance to our anchorage.

Life is Good!

While the current is running swift in the channel, our anchorage had none. We stayed in the water until almost dark. Needless to say after 2 cigars and 1 or 2 drinks we were all in a relaxed state of mind. Dinner didn't get delivered until the 10ish hour which led me to take a short nap before dining.

For some unknown reason the girls wouldn't let us sit with them?

Trouble makers!

Following dinner we pulled anchor and slowly cruised back upriver to the dock arriving around 1 A.M., safe and sound.

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!