Monday, June 17, 2013

Bad Day at the Office for the Navy

 It's safe to say that anyone who has spent time travelling by boat has spent some time trying to get off of a shallow spot whether it was a log, a shoal, or a shallow mud bar. I doubt however that you've had to be removed from a grounding like the U.S. Navy Minesweeper USS Guardian that ventured off course and onto Tubbathaha Reef in the Philippine Islands this past January.

The pictures below show the various stages of the removal process. One that was obviously beyond the capabilities of the local SeaTow or TowBoat US affiliates.









Back here in the states it's been pretty wet for those of us in the Midwest and Northeast. Around our area the Mississippi River is still about 6' higher than normal but dropping slowly. For a time it was even closed to navigation around St. Louis.
Fortunately we're not doing the Great Loop this year. The rain has shut down the Erie and Oswego Canals stacking up boats as far back as New York City. On the Erie they've moved the boats into the lock chambers as the water has risen above the docks and sea walls normally used by the boaters.

Waterford, NY. Visitors Center.

A few boats in the lock near Amsterdam, NY. The authorities have supplied generators for the boaters in some of the locations. Some indications are that it may be 10 days before the water levels drop to a safe level again!

Back here on the home front it's been non stop grass cutting and pruning between the rain drops. Occasionally I get a little help from Franklin. Fortunately I only have to give him a ride in the trailer as payment!
 Loading the trailer.

 Reward!

One of the perks of being home is the ability to spend time with family. Father's Day seemed like a good excuse for just such a gathering.

Our Dad's.     Pam's Dad Frank to the left & my Dad Lew on the right. Happy Father's day!


Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Hanging Around Home

Since we've been home we've had a mixed bag of weather. Typical for the Midwest. 80 one day and 60 the next. Clear then torrential rains. And so it goes.
We lucked out with the weather for Grandson Drew's High School graduation and had a great day.


GramPam, Drew, & Me after the ceremony.

Doug, Angela, Drew, & Luke.

My kids, Angela, Addam, & Ryan with Drew.

What do you do after the ceremony? Belly up to the bar of course!

Meanwhile back at the ranch it's been non-stop yard work. Cutting out old shrubbery and planting new. Mowing the lawn twice a week. And the list goes on....
Out with the old.

We took a break to take Ellie for a bike ride.
She's stuck in the seat right behind me and kept banging her helmet into me while we rode along until she fell asleep!

Another plus to being home was being able to celebrate my Brother-in-law Bill's dyslexic 16th birthday. Happy Birthday Bill!
Better get my prescription checked!

Bill, Pam, Barb (Pam's Sister), Kim & Jeff DeWall (Kim's my cousin), and me.

One last highlight of Drew's High school days was the soccer team winning the Iowa state championship. The team made a pact that if they made it into the championship game they would shave their heads. Drew opted for a Mohawk! Fortunately the game came after graduation.
Nice!!!!

With all of the rain we've had lately the Mississippi has stayed near or above flood stage. Below are a few shots of the Mighty Miss near Dubuque, Ia.

Looking north at City Island and Lock & Dam 11 in the distance.

Pamster on her bike on a flooded City Island. There is a campground beyond her that is underwater. Bring on the mosquito's!

The dam gates at Lock & Dam 11 in the fully raised position letting the water pass unhindered. At normal levels there is a 10' difference in the water levels above and below the dam.