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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
We set up and were joined by Mike & Nancy on M/V Eirean to watch the show.
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.
.
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.
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.
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.
We made it back home in time to rest up before joining Pete & Pam for dinner.
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.
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.
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!
Sunday I went shopping for some new shorts with expandable waistbands!
No comments:
Post a Comment