Are We really Doing This!?!

So about this time in years past  Pam & I have been getting ready to return to Tourist for the winter months. This year we're preparing Tourist for a long winters nap instead of getting her ready for another season. WAIT! Did I just say that? I must have fallen and hit my head.

Well I checked with Pam and I didn't hit my head. We are putting Tourist up for the winter.

Fortunately I could still access some old files that contain 3 pages of winterization notes that I used for Tourist when this exercise used to take place each winter. In reading through them nothing jumped out at me as being too difficult. Just perform each step in a methodical manner and don't rush or cut corners.

The only thing I didn't consider is that I'm now 8 years older than when I last did this task. Add in that we also had to remove everything that would freeze from Tourist for the first time in 8 years!
Along with winterization, and liquid removal we also decided to go through every nook and cranny and take most of what we found off the boat. Amazingly we could see the waterline again after unloading. (I'm pretty sure removing all of Pam's shoes made a big difference!)

Well as you can guess the winterization didn't go quite as smoothly as planned but item by item it got done. Generator, water system, water heater, heads, washer/dryer, and the list goes on. Once in storage we open the under floor compartments, refrigerator and freezer, closets, and anywhere else that may trap stale air or moisture.

Well the day came for us to make the 45 mile trip to Sabula. (We had taken our car there a couple of days before so we would have a ride home.) The weather was a cool 45 degrees, windy, and overcast. Probably a reflection of my mood.

 Leaving Frentress Lake Marina and our slip.

As we entered the main channel I could see a southbound tow a few miles ahead of us negotiating one of the bends in the river. Trawler speed allowed us to catch the Joyce Hale where the channel straightened out.

 Leaving the Joyce Hale in our wake.

Once clear of the tow we put Tourist on plane to get some distance between us and the Hale and increase our chances of getting through Lock 12 without delay.

We went past "Hale's" one of our favorite anchorages now deserted for the winter.

We also slid by Chestnut Beach which too was deserted.

Chestnut Mt. ski resort waiting for snow.

 Chestnut again with a little color in the trees.

It was just past Chestnut that I picked up some chatter on the vhf. The towboat Wisconsin was just lining up for Lock 12. 
By now we were back at trawler speed and with the Wisconsin ahead of us only a couple of miles we put Tourist into float mode and let the current do the work.

Our slow pace allowed us plenty of time to view where we had stopped on our topless car ride. The Offshore Bar & Grill is the structure middle left flanked by a Baymont Inn on the right and a small reception hall on the left.

Even just drifting with the current we floated into the arrival zone of Lock 12 just as the Wisconsin was backing out from putting her first cut in the chamber. While waiting I called the lock to let them know our intentions. His response was polite as he told us we would be next but it would be an hour and a half.

L & D 12 with the Wisconsin waiting while her first cut of barges lock through.

The Wisconsin (2nd cut) now in the chamber. You can see that the Wisconsin has a telescoping pilothouse to allow it to negotiate the low bridges of the Illinois River more handily.

It took an unusually long time for the Wisconsin to get both cuts lashed together and push out of the lock. Once out she still had trouble getting positioned in the channel. So much so that the lock raised the water and locked us down. This is what we saw when they (the lock) blew the horn signaling it was ok for us to leave the chamber.

You can tell by looking at the bluffs in the distance which way the channel goes. Knowing that and knowing what the Wisconsin was trying to do prompted me to call the tow on the vhf  before we exited the chamber and ask him how we could best stay out of his way . His response was very courteous as he told us to sit tight for a few more minutes while he continued his flanking maneuver and that he would let me know when to come around him. He also gave us instructions to pass on his stern and then continue on his port side. He was concerned about his wheel wash and told us he would cut power when we went by his stern.
These guys know their stuff. All you have to do is contact them and be willing to cooperate with them.

I forgot to mention that before we entered the chamber the Joyce Hale caught up to us! The locks are the great equalizer on the rivers.

Back underway we soaked up the scenery as we paddled south.

Iowa bluffs.

Is that the sun brightening things up?

Once again we crossed paths with the Twilight on its voyage from LeClaire to Dubuque, Iowa.

Palisades Park where we had been on our car ride.

The Sabula RR Bridge. Our last obstacle before turning into Island City Harbor in Sabula, Iowa.

We cleared the bridge and after a brief wait for a houseboat to clear the fuel dock we pulled in for one last pump out. (Pam was on the boat!) Then it was on to the dock where we would leave Tourist in the hands of the marina staff.

Now the sun comes out!

 Tourist pointed out just in case I change my mind!

The last drink of the season.

I wasn't quite as happy as Pam.

We returned to Tourist the next week just to double check on her condition once inside the building. As I expected there was some water in the bilge from the winterization process that shook itself out as we made our way to Island City. Not much but for me 1 drop is too much.

We found Tourist covered in clear plastic from bow to stern. And no the Carver isn't touching Tourist although it's pretty close.

Assured that things were in good order we buttoned up the plastic and reluctantly headed home.

Don't worry Tourist. We'll visit a few times throughout the winter. (Plus it's a good excuse to go to Manny's Pizza just across the river in Savanna, Illinois!)