A sign of things to come has appeared in our front yard. One of the trees has changed color already! That can't be! It's too soon! My God, That means we have to start thinking about winterizing Tourist. Something we haven't done since the winter of 2007.
Change is on the way!
But why fret over the uncontrollable? We still have 6 or 7 weeks of boating left on the Upper Miss. before Tourist gets tucked away inside at Island City Harbor in Sabula, Ia. Until then....Enjoy!
It's been a warm and somewhat wet summer in our area. That means that I'm cutting grass every 4 to 5 days but it also means that the river has been running higher than normal which allows us to sneak Tourist into areas that are not normally accessible.
The river stage at Dubuque, Ia. normally runs in the 9' range for this time of year. It hasn't been below 10' for the last month. So far it's gotten as high as 16' just 1' below flood stage and with more rain to our north it's going back up as I write.
The high water does give us new gunkholing opportunities. The following photos were taken over several weekends at various locations between Lock 11 and Lock 12.
Following Kim & Lu into the wilderness. Always a questionable experience!
No fear of Pirates with Otis along!
With Kim & Lu & Mike & Nancy behind 1 Mile Island.
Sometimes a motor just won't get the job done.
Where did that opening go?
Cruising the backwaters into Gears Ferry Landing.
What Florida needs instead of "Minimum Wake" signs.
The boat ramp that I used for years. Not fancy but it served the purpose.
On Harris Slough looking up the Galena River at the BNSF RR tracks. It's now hard to believe that these waters were once plied by steamboats.
Polish anchor setting.
OK. Let it go!
Mike & Dixie coming back from their morning outing.
Nancy trying to talk Pam into joining her in the water.
Of course you work up an appetite on the river. 2.5 lb. cowboy steak.
Ready to eat! We had 4 meals from this chunk.
We commandeered a pontoon boat on Labor Day weekend for a trip to Spruce Creek for dinner. Not sure about the drivers qualifications though. She seems to be distracted!
Thankful to be back at Tourist we enjoyed another sunset over the Mississippi. Always a peaceful moment in time.
