Home and Back

After nearly a month on Tourist at GTB we headed home for another visit. Of course we were able to catch up with family and some of our friends during our short stay.
One of the highlights was seeing Franklin & Ellie. The youngest of our grandkids.

Pam counts and the kids run down the hall and crash into her laughing all the way.

While we were gone the house next to us sold and while we were spying out the window at the new occupants we had a couple of turkeys walk through the yard.

Thanksgiving is getting closer!

Of course no trip home is just for leisure. Like a boat there is always something that needs attention. This trip it ranged from a new furnace filter to getting the digital dashboard readout on Pam's car replaced.

We did get to spend a couple of days on the river with Mike & Nancy and had a great time. We planned to join up with Kim & Lu on Friday evening but the ICRR bridge had other ideas. As we pulled out of the marina Mike noticed a flashing amber light on the span that opens. Of course it was closed and with the high water we needed it to open so we could pass safely through. A quick call on the vhf resulted in being informed that they were replacing the rails on the bridge and there would be no openings before 7pm.
Oops! Time for plan B since our original destination was about 10 miles downstream from the bridge.  We informed Kim & Lu that they would be on their own for the night and we headed a mile upstream and behind an island that is not normally accessible at the regular river stage. With the anchor set the libations began followed by a delicious meal.

We're on the water!

I think they're cold!

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Dinner is served.

It was a great night in spite of the brief storm that blew through after we had turned in.

The next day we woke to the threat of more rain but that's about all it amounted to. We had breakfast and then pulled anchor and headed south. Through the train bridge, past the barge fleeting area and into another area only accessible during high water where we may have interrupted Kim & Lu!

Here are a few pics of the ride down and of our anchorage.

The train bridge now open.

The fleeting area below Dubuque, Ia.

The entrance to our anchorage with Vagabond in the distance.

Bloody Mary time!

The motley crew.

Dixie wondering who the intruders are!

Zapping bees.

Sunday morning reflection.

It was great being able to get back out on our home waters but all too soon it was time to head back in. Thanks M & N!

Soon it was time to head back to GTB. We arrived Tuesday afternoon in time to fight our way through the cobwebs and re-board Tourist. Awhile later we met Marv & Carol who were travelling back to Ft. Myers from their trip to the Tundra for dinner at the Commonwealth Yacht Club. It was fun seeing them and catching up on Legacy Harbour news. Of course Marv had his camera and took several photos which you can see by visiting his site at www.deelightwebsite.com.
Thanks for side tripping to see us!

Dinner at CYC.

We have a couple more rounds of company coming to visit and another trip home before we point the nose of Tourist south for warmer waters.

Almost forgot to include this unrelated photo taken in Baltimore during the recent celebration of the 200 year anniversary of the penning of the Star Spangled Banner. I'm not sure who took it but I found it on a friends Facebook page and thought I'd share it.

Awesome!