Tom called Dave today and said he will get here a day early (Thursday) ... yeah!! We will start heading down the Mississippi Thursday afternoon ahead of schedule.
The Port Charles Harbor marina has been a great place to stay. It is a family ran business and they treat everybody great. Paul, the owner, installed a new stern bilge pump for Dave ... at a very reasonable price. Fuel here was about 50 cents less than other marinas we check on ... big savings when buy over 200 gallons of diesel fuel. The cost of a slip is only $1/ft ... hey loopers, need I say more?
Anna sent us some great pictures. Above Joysea floating in our last Illinois River lock.
Above, Asian Carp jumps in Joe's boat.
Above Joe nets and throws unwelcome visitor overboard.
This carp didn't fair well ... what a mess! For some reason the Asian Carp love the sound of Joe's boat.
Great photo's Anna!
We are currently anchored behind Buckhorn Island. Tomorrow we head for the Mississippi River 48.5 miles down river.
Right picture of some locals on northern tip of Buckhorn Island.
Left our dock this morning at 6:55am. We have one dock to get by the Peoria Lock.
And what a lock through it was! We went straight into the lock and floated in the middle while we descended only 5 feet. Above Scarecrow and Pilgrim lead the way.
We arrived at Tall Timbers Marina around 4:30pm. It was a great cruising day! Above Rod, Anna, and Joe relax on the dock.
Hot air balloon floats over Joliet last night.
Left Jolie around 7:45 to get to first lock of the day(Dresden Lock) for a quick opening ... we had to "dog paddle" for almost 4 hours. Lockmaster wouldn't 't let us tie off anywhere. How much fun was that ... not!!
Scarecrow behind us and Pilgrim ahead of us in lock. Both are loopers that we have met before.
We tried to get through our second lock yesterday (Marseilles Lock) around 5pm ... but turned around because it was full of barges ... found a marina 5 miles back and stayed ... dead tired.
Above is the city of Ottawa, IL ... floated by it enroot to Starved Rock Lock.
Today we hit our first lock around 8:10 and it took us about an hour to get through it ... not too bad considering yesterday. We sat at second lock (Starved Rock Lock & Dam) for about 3 hours tied off to a floating bollard. We cruised another 21 miles to Hennepin, IL and tied off to a free dock. Another long day!
Left the marina at 7:00am this morning and are currently tied to a free dock in Joliet, Il. It was a 7hr trip only because we went by it thinking of more distance today. When we got to the next lock we had to wait because of a large toll barge. After waiting for an hour or so we decided to turn around and head back to the free dock. Tomorrow before we leave the dock we will call the lock to see when is the best time to arrive, hoping to avoid a long wait.
Above left is where the Cal-Sag waterway meets the Chicago-Sewage-Shipping waterway. Above Bob and Linda walk along the dock/park. This area is know for some mischief. Kids have been known to set boats free during the night. The only way they are going to do that to Joysea is if they have a knife ... and Captain Dave thinks he would hear that.
We left Michigan City and crossed the lake to the Calumet Inlet. As we got closer the Chicago skyline was very much in sight. Encountered 2 foot waves today but all went well.
We journeyed down the Cal-Sag Channel to the Marine Services marina. Nobody home, but we docked Joysea anyway. Heavy industry lines this channel and our marina looks like it is behind a land fill complete with railroad tracks in front of that. Sleeping well tonight? Have not charted our next move, however, this channel leads to the Illinois River which will lead us to the Mississippi River.
Last night we watched a terrific water-light show from the top deck of Joysea. Unfortunately the water-light did not show up well, but we liked the picture of Ole Glory waving on the deck of Joysea. Today we left the marina at 6:55 and pointed Joysea towards Benton Harbor.
We left the fuel dock, after topping off (at $3.85/gal!), around 7:15am. We arrived Grand Haven at 3:20pm. It was a nice ride, but a little roly-poly. Pictured above is Linda steering us past cliffs. I was a contrasting site after looking at sand dunes. Once again Linda and Bernie did most of the driving. Dave actually finished a book and started today's blog update.
Dave takes Joysea down the river to the marina.
Pat Hospodar call as soon as I posted the quiz question and of course she had it right ... Joysea isn't going anywhere today and is staying tied up in the Ludington docks.
We had a good time watching the coal fired ferry "Badger" coming and going today. It is a huge ferry and Joysea was glad we didn't meet the Badger going into the narrow harbor entrance channel.
The happy hour gang from last night, Larry, Jane, Linda, Bob and Dave.
We left this morning around 7:30am and arrived at the Ludington Municipal Marina around 1:30pm. The ride was like yesterday ... calm and peaceful. Captain Dave took Joysea out of the slip and turn her over to Linda, Bob and Bernie. Dave actually read a novel for most of the trip ... a first for him! Above Linda, Bob and Bernie drive Joysea. To the left is Big Sable Light house ... doesn't look like it is 106 ft tall.
Tomorrow waves are predicted to rise to 7 feet. Today's quiz ... guess where Joysea will be tomorrow!
We left the marina this morning around 7:15 and arrived at the Frankfort Municipal Marina around noon. Quite a contrasting ride to what Doug and Dave experienced on route to Leland. Waves were less than a foot high, weather was cool but sunny. Above Linda takes a photo of Point Betsie Lighthouse which is reportedly the most photographed lighthouse in Michigan ... see below ... good job Linda!
Dave relaxes and looks at the giant sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan while Bob navigates Joysea. The entrance to the Frankfort harbor is marked by a 72-foot breakwater lighthouse.
Tomorrow's forecast is a good one. We plan to leave here and head for Ludington. After tomorrow we need to be looking at the weather ... may have to stayed holed up for a couple of days.
Last night we had cocktails and appetizers aboard Bavarian Cream, so tonight we are having Jane and Larry over for the same aboard Joysea.
After almost 11 hours of riding 2 - 3 ft. waves Doug and Dave arrived in Leland. We don't want to do that again! Above in the background is the Mackinac Bridge.
Today we switched crew members. Doug helped move Joysea over 600 miles and left Dave at Leland ... great job Doug!
Replacing Doug as crew members are Linda and husband Bob ... welcome aboard! Captain Dave can tell they are going to be a great crew. Not on the boat for more than a couple of hours, Linda is cleaning the "bug mess" and Bob is already into minor repairs. Dave is loving this because as you all know, he does software, but not hardware:-)
We left Drummond Island around 8:30am and arrived at the St. Ignace Marina around 2:30pm. We fueled up Joysea and was happy to only pay 3.99/gal. Down side is she drank 198 gallons. My other Joycie likes to drink gin and tonic but doesn't match the volume of Joysea:-) Leaving Drummond Island we saw quite a few large ships.
The water on Lake Huron was a little on the choppy side, but not too uncomfortable.
Photographer Doug taking pictures of the marina. It is a nice marina and we are still amazed at the clarity of the water.
Tomorrow we plan to leave early (6am?) and head for Leland a 77 mile hop. It will probably take us 10 or more hours to get there. Our Greencastle, IN friends are vacation there so it will be good to see them. We will also be switching crew members. Doug leaves and Linda and Bob begin. Captain Dave appreciates all of the wonderful help!
Doug and Dave walked 2.4 miles to the grocery store in the rain and on the way back a guy, going in the opposite direction, pulled off and offered us a ride back to the marina. He worked at the marina years ago, was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and is now retired ... interesting person ... and a hell of a nice guy!
We are not sure how far we will move tomorrow because of weather ... again!
Above Joysea sits in front of the Sportsman's Inn. It looks like a weather day today. Thunderstorms are headed our way so we will stay one more night at the marina. Tomorrow we will head for a marina in Gore Bay ... and then, weather permitting, Tuesday we hope to be at Drummond Island, MI .... yeah!
The answer to yesterdays quiz is "Giants Tomb Island",
Didn't get away from the dock yesterday until 9:30am. We arrived at our anchorage in Alexander Passage behind Meneilly Island (below). Above Doug (and Bernie) control Joysea thru the Georgian Bay.
Dave setting snubber lines at anchorage.
Quiz time. Name the island in the picture above. Clue; Paul Bunyan could be buried their.
Today we left our anchorage at 7am ... after consulting with our weather advisors, George and Pat. We are headed for Killarney and should be there before 1pm. Killarney is the gateway to the North Channel. We haven't plotted out our next leg yet, but we are getting closer to the good ole USA!
Note: Arrived at the Sportsman Inn Marina in Killarney around 1pm. Time to wash the bugs off of Joysea.
Joyce continues with her therapy and is doing great. Dave is doing all of the pre-op stuff for the cataract procedure. Then (sadly) Dave will be leaving Joycie and traveling to Canada where Joysea awaits. It will be a happy day when we get back to US waters ... and even happier when Dave has both Joycies back.
Sorry about no pictures ... how boring has this blog became? :-( Joysea has the camera ... maybe she will have some pictures when we get back.
Dave will have cataract surgery next Wednesday and plans to leave (with Doug) for the boat on or around August 2nd. At this time we are not sure when and where we will meet up with Linda and Bob.
Dave will be getting a cataract (or two) removed soon, then back to the boat
Joysea going down the "Big Chute" which is a marine railway that drops us 57 feet and into Georgian Bay. Picture at right is small boat in front of us in the chute.
Joycie is doing well in rehab, but the therapy is painful. She
is being told that it could take a year before she is back to normal.
Yesterday we made it to Orillia, Ontario and stayed at the marina. It was a nice stop after a long day. We bought groceries, ate at an Vietnamese restaurant, and called it a day. Today we went thru 4 locks and are currently tied to a public dock next to the "Big Chute". A very different way to lower Joysea over 57 feet. More about that tomorrow. One more lock after the Big Chute and we will be done with locks until we hit the rivers.
We are getting into the prettier part of the trip and rocks are everywhere. Pretty ... and pretty scary. The rocks certainly help you focus and stay in the channel. Yep, Joysea fits just fine in this narrow channel. We were happy not to meet oncoming boats.
Talking to Joycie on a daily basis. Yesterday she told me if she knew the therapy would hurt so much, she wouldn't have broke her hip ... sure! Hey, stuff happens (yeah, ... stuff is the family version) and Dave hasn't figured out the reason yet ... but sure does miss his number one Joycie.
I forgot to mention, when washing Joysea down, Dave heard a loud crash. Looking around he saw Doug flat on his back. He slipped, fell and said "I broke my hip". Not funny Doug! He is fine ... slippery deck.
Above shows some of the narrow canal we cruised ... hope we don't meet an oncoming vessel ... we did ... ugh ... but survived. On the other side of the coin, Doug relaxes as we cross Lake Simcoe. Nice easy run for Bernie.
We haven't planned our next leg of the trip, but we will probably wing it and go as far as we can. Gotta get Doug back to work!
My partner and good friend Dog arrived late last night. We ended up going to bed around midnight and woke up at 6am. After waiting forever for fuel and a pump out we started our journey around 9:30am.
The locking through was difficult today because we were in a group of six boats ... and the locks are small!
We went through 8 locks and are currently anchored in Clear Lake. To the left is a picture of Lock 21 rear view after we were elevated. Above, Doug holds the bow as we begin our elevator ride up. This is the most unusual lock. You float into a large bath tub like thing and as the bath tub on the other side descends we go up.
We took the hotel's shuttle and got Joyce settled in by noon. She is on her way to Indy with daughter Angie picking her up.
Joyce's pain is up and we think maybe the hospital was medicating her more than the prescriptions. Pray that the pain decreases and the healing increases.
Meriel is going home today. She has been a delight for Joyce. She is the youngest 94 year old we have ever met. She is having some problem with balance and has fallen a couple of time. Other than that, she has a keen mind ... and doesn't even have arthritis. Hell, I always thought that was an old age requirement.
Note: Surprisingly, her pain has not been too bad ... Thank you God!
Out of here for now ... gotta see my #1 Joycie.