SEPT.14,2011- OTTAWA TO PEORIA, IL

SLIGHT MISCALCULATION



MOORED TO A ROUND TURNING BOLLARD DOCK WHILE WAITING FOR THE LOCK TO OPEN

KEMBA TOOK THIS PICTURE

TERRI IN THE LOCKING POSITION

FROM THE HELM I CAN SEE TERRI IN CLOSED CIRCUIT TV AND KNOW SHE IS SAFE

PADDLE WHEEL CASINO MOORED AT HAMMS MARINA

SPIRIT DANCER MOORED AT HAMMS MARINA

LETS GO HUNTING FOR CANADA GOOSE

KEMBA TAKING PICTURES OF THE PICTURE TAKER

TERRMAR UNDER WAY

Up early and gone before 0700 as Terri and I are both firing on all cylinders this morning. Shortly after we exit the harbour there is a call for us on the VHF. It is Bob and Kemba from Spirit Dancer one of the crews that we met last night. They are headed our way and just wanted to say good morning and let us know that they would be travelling with us to day. No problem and we are glad for the company. The day slowly went by and we talked a few times on the radio and generally got to know each other. As they had plans to go to the same Marina we would probably see them when we arrived.

The day was overcast and rainy but we were very comfortable in the pilot house. We turned on the heater a few times just to remove the dampness and Terri was a happy camper. Terri did most of the driving and navigating. She called on me once in a while to confer regarding barge encounters and anything else that might come up. We are both still learning about the barges and radio protocol. The curve is steep but we are doing it together and it’s fun. Bob, on Spirit Dancer has a great radio presence but I don’t think I could get his voice down correctly. That long Texas Drawl will have to wait a while as I am still trying to understand the Tow Captains who seem to have their own accent. We are getting it though.

Terri has made cell contact with Dick Hamm and he has given entry instructions to his Hamm’s Holiday Harbor. We would stay there this evening and be gone first thing in the morning. The marina was very sheltered and it looked well used. There weren’t a lot of boats or should I say there were a lot of empty slips. He has made arrangements for us to stay on an end dock which is a normal thing for our size boat. We have to steer between the boat on the first end dock and a pile of concrete about 20 feet away that served as a channel marker. No problem as long as we can get out of here in the morning. I surveyed the situation and decide that I can exit in the morning so forward we go. Dick and his son were good enough to show us the way in a small tender and all turned out well. He collected his cash (no credit cards) and was on his way to help “Spirit Dancer” dock and soon Terri and I went over to see them as well. Bob and Kemba  gave us a tour of their boat as well. It was a Defever 49 and what a beauty she was. We agreed that we would reciprocate the tour in a couple of days when we get to a dock as tomorrow is a long day to an island and we all wanted to get rested up. You might think that sitting in a boat for 10 or 11 hours while underway is easy. But while it is not physically demanding it can tire you out.

Tonight would be a perfect night for Spaghetti and as Terri makes the Spaghetti aboard Terrmar it meant that I get the night off to watch a movie. Plus there should be enough leftovers for tomorrow night’s dinner as well. Bonus for all aboard. Even Smudgie had garlic breath that night. It wasn’t long and we were all tucked into bed.

Mark.