Sunsets on the Bay-"Spectacular"

Visit by Mom

A great visit with the family got smiles from everyone at Tabasakwa.

22 hours across the Gulf of Mexico/2004

LOOP Report 06/06/2005

June 6th, 2005

Tabasakwa Island, Georgian Bay
Ontario, Canada

Hey everybody out there, believe it or not, WE DID IT!

The Great Circle Loop is now officially closed.

All the details yet to be sorted out. But some say it’s close to 6000 miles plus and at the exilerating and majestic average speed of 9.8 miles per hour it proved daunting.

Arrived to a welcome committee of local boater/cottage friends at David and Susan’s cottage at 6:30 PM Sunday having left Orillia at 9:30 AM.

The last leg took us through the Severn River Section of the system. Here you get to ride one of the other many great engineering feats on the canal.

The Marine Railway.!

This machine is right out of a science fiction Star Wars episode. You park the boat above the slings and it picks you up, boat, people and all else we carry on board up into the air and over the Canadian Shield and back down into the beautiful waters of Gloucester Pool and on to one more lock at Port Severn and out into glorious Georgian Bay.

Put up the mast again with our many US state flags flying. One for every state we put foot to shore. At a moment while calmly passing the famous rocks and shallows we know so well, a shot glass of grog and a salute to arriving back was called for and quickly dispensed forthwith.

The last turn in between island rock and pine to see our Tabasakwa Island appear.…

A very magical moment.

Looped Loopers…Ted, Pat, David and Susan

LOOP Report 06/02/2005

June 2nd, 2005
Trent Severn Canal System,
Peterborough, Ontario
Canada


The Chinook and crew have now been hustling up the Hudson River leaving behind a grand Atlantic Ocean adventure.

From Washington and Annapolis we headed into the large waters of Delaware Bay and on to Cape May. Here we headed out on a fine calm day at 6:30 AM into the Atlantic and headed for Atlantic City on the coast to arrive at noon. We beat the winds that were to come up in the afternoon. We carried on into the inland waterway and headed for a little marina in Forked River (pronounced fork…ed) New Jersey.

Weather turned windy so rented a car and went back to Atlantic City to see the Boardwalk and Casinos. The ocean was rough but the city boardwalk was sunny and busy with weekend sightseers. The Tropicana Casino Complex was interesting but mostly just a big slot machine made to relieve you of any spare change you have accumulated. They were out of luck with this crowd as our pockets are quite empty now. What quarters we have are needed for laundry machines and newspaper when you can find them.

The ICW behind the outer coast is incredibly shallow showing anywhere from 0 feet to 1 foot at some edges and turns in the path they’ve cleared. The rest of the channel was 1 foot to 5 feet. We went very slow and took our time while other locals just roared on by.

Weather showed a good window next day so got rid of rental, fueled up and took off to see what the coast waters looked like by heading out the inlet jetty at Manasquan through some big waves created by sportsfisherman boats coming and going…Quite the ride out…all was tied down secure….Hey… the ocean was calm so we kept going.

Turned out nice all the way,… with a large ocean swell rocking us gently and a 1to 2 foot wave at times,… we kept on going all the way to New York City….Then as we approached the skies opened up and the ocean came down from above and we rode it out right past the Statue of Liberty hardly being able to see her through the deluge.. felt like being on an ark…same for the Manhattan skyline as it was hard to see for the rain. All the while David and I were getting soaked on the bridge cause we didn’t want to miss anything.. It still was an exciting time just to be entering such a magnificent active harbour…so toughed it out right into Liberty Marina which was just across the Hudson River from New York City in New Jersey and within a kiss or stone throw of the Lady. She’s outstandingly pretty and I prefer the kiss as a thought.


Next morning after being docked for a quiet night within sight of Manhattan we left to head north up the Hudson but made the quick decision to head back to the pretty lady as the sun was out for a great photo opportunity. Got our photos and they are super and all was worth the diversion.

Then on up past the city on our starboard to see what was no longer there now, no thanks to some maniacal madmen. It gives you strange emotions to past by the scene of such a horrible moment in our current memory.

Onwards up the Hudson River past the urban noise and now passing by pretty hills and very green landscapes. As we proceed we see trains and highways heading into New York City. Could be a great ride by train, Toronto to New York. As we past West Point Academy and other great places of historical interest we are now counting the few places left before arriving back in Lake Ontaio. One neat Marina did have a hot tub which finally made a very long day a pure joy.

Well, there is lots more let me tell you, as this system is old but new. Each little town is getting their waterfronts cleaned up with parks and docks. One such place we stopped for a free night dock where I met a guy fishing for pike off the dock. He had a great hat and looked interesting. As we talked he wanted to know if in fact I’d rather live in Canada still and of course I said yes. He said he liked the Canadian way. Being he was an Amish person he mentioned they like our medical system as they go up to have things corrected much easier and less expensive. Anyways I ended up saying I’m a guest here in the US and was not into discussing his or their politics. Got a nice photo of his horse “smoke” and the austere and simple carriage though.

Dammed if the next morning we aren’t just going under a bridge headed for our first lock and somebody shouts at us from the bridge above. It’s Mr. Amish and his horse and carriage headed across at great speed. Quite the coincidental experience.

Couple hours later an Amtrac High Speed Train headed for NY also toots his horn at us and waves from the cab.

Interesting traffic on the Hudson.

We are facing the daunting task now of going through many locks and getting closer to Lake Ontario. Starting at the Town of Waterford and lock #1 we head into the New York State Erie Canal. Much history here as the canal was opened October 26th 1825 and the “Seneca Chief” and a boatload of politicians headed by Governor Clinton, took two barrels of water from Lake Erie and emptied them ( the water not the politicians ) into the Ocean at New York to be know as the “Marriage of the Waters”. Some marriages work well and this surely is one of them.

The rest is lock after lock and canals with trees after trees, not much sign of wildlife except bird calls in the trees along side…. and Canada geese with babies everywhere along the shores.

Finally arrived after countless days of locks at the entrance to Lake Ontario which lies just off the inlet to Oswego, NY. Will soon be back in clear fresh waters of our Canada.

Crossed the Great Lake Ontario early AM to Main Duck Island and into the protected harbour of Picton. It was a good crossing so we were lucky with weather again, just a small roll on our beam because of west winds of 5-10 coming at us with the full fetch from Niagara way. We were out of it and in the lee of Prince Edward County as it began to build more after 12:00 noon. Crossing over that border line in the middle of the lake was sweet.

Oh….Canada…our home and …….you have to know after many months away that this is one highest of the highs of this trip. Beautiful fresh clear water. Next,…will be back with family…soon.

Tomorrow we face one of the most impressive of all locks in North America, The Peterborough Lift Lock, 65 feet. Completed in 1904

Closing in the loop

Loopers…Ted, Pat, David and Susan

LOOP Report 05/15/2005

May 15, 2005
Annapolis, Maryland

Navy, Airforce, Police,… we’ve been among all these big gun types since leaving Bellhaven, North Carolina and heading towards Washington D.C. by way of Annapolis, Maryland.


But we’ll back track to renting a car near the Outer Banks known as Cape Hatteras in The Alligator River Marina….

We had hit bad weather so decided to lay up couple days and a side trip by car to Cape Hatteras and The Wright Brothers Memorial and Airfield was required. The lighthouse is the large one they moved away from the sea which was about to consume it with it’s next big wave. To be simple about it, they pushed it down a track at a very slow speed lest it got away on them and trundelled down to the ocean. It was placed to expose the dangers of far out shoals to the many crazy mariners who decide to hike around by the open ocean. This is why it’s known as the graveyard of the Atlantic. Susan was the only one to walk up the many 208 foot high Lighthouse stairs as the rest of us were busy taking pictures, I’m not saying we couldn’t do it, just that other things to do were more important at that time…sitting on a nice bench was one.


We had 60MPH gale force winds recorded at the nearby swing bridge ( they close it down in 35 MPH winds ) the day before going to Cape Hatteras. We were in the safety of Alligator River Marina so next day by car we saw the ocean and beach after being hit by the full fury of the gale the day before. They were shoveling sand off the Outer Banks road with what looked like snow plows. Roads were also flooded as the waves had come up and combined with torrential rains. Of course all the houses and cottages out here are on stilts with their garages below. We prefer our location on Georgian Bay.

Also nearby on the Outerbanks…

The Wright Brothers are another one of those beautiful stories of ..”it can’t be done”…but we’re doing it anyways, so stuff-it to all you experts who bury your heads in the past. On December 17th, 1903 off they went for all of 12 seconds, Orville as the test pilot and Wilbur running along side. Both creating a new world for all of us. A very impressive hilltop monument to these men of flight. They must have always thought their glasses were half full. A special place to mark such a great moment in time and to two great visionary men.

When the weather lifted we headed for Elizabeth City and the start of the Dismal Swamp. Crossed the large Sound of Albemarle, a small roll for 4 hours but ok and docked in their waterfront marina. Sunday shops are mostly closed, sleepy little town. There was a welcome by two elderly folks representing the “Rose Buddies” who used to greet all boaters with roses and a friendly chat. They are now to old so others come and offer wine and cheese at 5:00 PM. So at this gathering we now met and talked with more boaters who are headed north and our Canadian waters.


Going through the Dismal Swamp and its locks was a pretty cruise. This is the oldest and longest operating canal in the USA.( dug by slaves I suspect as it’s straight and deep for a good long haul). Now the Corp of Engineers keeps it that way. We met one of their dredges and waited for them to move over to shore as it’s that narrow. The only wildlife we are seeing are many Osprey hawks in couples on nests built on any dead tree or pole they find.

Coming down the canal we crossed the Virginia border. We arrived in Norfolk,Virginia and many large freighters and warships of all kinds all around. Of course we give way to these boats as they are not known to change course for just a little Canadian.

Had a good stay here and enjoyed visiting the Battleship Wisconsin “Wisky” with David. This ship has quite a history and is still ready for duty if called so we could only walk the decks. The ladies went and did their own sightseeing at the grocery store. Somebody has to do it!.On walking back along the waterfront path we came across another war memorial to the fallen. Took my breath away as this was the most well designed and thoughtful concept to date. Scattered by the wind pieces of paper (bronze plaques). Copies of letters written (during all the various wars since 1776) home to loved ones, written by soldiers that later died in battle. They were laying about in various locations against a wall or in the dirt garden as blown there and could be picked up at any moment and re gathered. As you walk and read these poignant letters you get the message of how terrible wars are. It was a moment not to forget on our trip.

On leaving we were approached by a Canadian warship coming into harbour. Gave them a call on the VHF and made small talk on channel 17 and wished them good sailing and they returned with the same and waved from the bridge. Not to often you get to chat with a Canadian Warship. They did give their name as “Isle de Quebec”. All the the crew were on deck giving salute in uniform but facing shore and the Naval docks as we passed on their starboard.

As we were going out towards sea we were passed by a freighter doing 8 Knots and a US Warship doing 16 knots so we stayed clear once again but we passed another trawler doing 7 Knots while we were doing 9.5. Now all we had to do was get up the Chesapeake to Annapolis. A gray day it was and small waves made the trip a simple run up the bay…

but once again…

We saw a strange 30 foot yellow boat with numbers 903 and a red tower of lights, curious, I called him onVHF 16 and switched to 17, the response was…..”we are a beacon for lining up the targets you see ahead of you as you are in a restricted area for airforce target practice…..but for now you are ok going onwards”…So on we went and as we are passing these unusual umbrella looking targets a patrol boat with flashing lights comes our way and suggests by VHF radio we go east 1 1/4 mile off our northern route and once again we do as we are told cause we are such nice courtesy type boaters.
(We knew by our charts this was a restricted area but there had been no advance warning on our VHF and you can travel through these areas. We were not the only ones that had to be moved to the east)

Later saw some impressive jets playing high above us but did not witness or hear the target runs.

Coming into Annapolis was a thrill as it’s the home of The USA Naval Academy and the harbour is jammed with all types of boats mostly sail though. We have all our flags flying including the latest of Maryland. A great little town of shops and restaurants.

Well, we have our rental car and now are off to Washington D.C. The streets are filled with police in and out of uniform from everywhere. All wear their gold shields around their necks. Guess what?, seems we’ve landed here during a weekend when a special memorial dedication to the nations police who have died in line of duty. We saw the Presidential Limo and 6 police car escort flying down the street to attend this event at the Capitol Building. Every police car and motorcycle in the USA seems to be here, wondering who’s watching the shop back home?


Had to see the new Smithonian Museum of the American Natives. This was worth the trip as it made very clear the current vibrant Renaissance and the past stormy history of their continuing existence. Many beautiful exhibits of art and objects both new and ancient. It includes many tribes not too well known from Southern Chile to our own Northern Inuit. I recommend this as a good destination of learning. To top this Pat and I went back Sunday to do the War Memorials. The Viet Nam Memorial, Korean and others here are mind bending. To get lightened up a little I took off for the Gallery of Art to see the Toulouse and Montmarte exhibit, a special look into this man’s monumental works and his very brief life, dying at 36. By the way forgot to mention lunch in a Spanish Restaurant of tapas roasted duck and next day of French Normandy soft shell crab Provencale. Things are goo…oo…ood.

Not sure whether food for thought or food for nourishment is better. Certain we need both to carry on our fabulous loop journey.


Eating and pondering….. Loopers…Ted, Pat, David and Susan

LOOP Report 05/03/2005

Wednesday
May 3, 2005

Bellhaven, North Carolina

Arrived here after a long day trip from pretty Beaufort, N.C.( pronounced as bow-fort as different from Beaufort S.C. pronounced as beu-fort ) travelling a distance away from the notorious Cape Hatteras. This Cape eats boats and spits them up on the rocks like mellon seeds. So as to stay in safe waters and not be snack food we took the ICW. We cruise canals, back rivers, ditchs and across Pamlico River, a large body of water more like a Sound to continue on back into the safe area again called Pungo River. We had left at 9:15 A.M. to arrive at 5:00 P.M. A long day but good weather and small roll.

Now, before getting to Beaufort N.C. we enjoyed the southern city of Charlston S.C. The houses are old and have many nice gardens including the churchs also. There is much more to say about southern living and this cities history but another time. Of interest also was the small port of Surf City. Sleepy little town waiting for the summer crowds. The beach had polished stones and nice shells including finding a small sharks tooth. Local history story tellers have it that a German sub was sunk just off shore in 42’ and 33 sailors taken as prisoners, many of the crew went down with the ship These were the first prisoners of war to be interned in the US since 1812. Guess that makes the sub and her crew another type of food for Posieden and Cape Hatteras, The Crystal Coast.

Now we will be headed for Elizabeth City and the Dismal Swamp Canal and Locks.

Must mention the seafood has not stopped being incredible. Soon we’ll try a roast of beef just to make a change of menu. Eat your heart out Cape Hatteras. Eh!

Loopers on the return.

Ted, Pat, David and Susan

LOOP Report 04/23/2005

Beaufort, South Carolina
April 23, 2005

The stories continue as we head north and enter the Low Country…Looks much like the prairies as the marsh lands go on and on forever, this they call the low country. Much history lays here on the land and the water, Spanish Forts and British Forts and American Forts both Southern and Union Forts many battlegrounds and wasted lives all over what seems to be marsh after marsh after more marsh.The only living thing surviving all this conflict intact was the Flying Teeth you may know as Gnats or no see-ums. And they show no mercy as well as the oldtimers did years ago. Now, we all know more or less this history so we’ll mention the more enjoyable side of all these destinations we are now tracking through. St. Augustine (and also Fernandina Beach) was the parting town of Florida and the attractions are many and a trolley ride around the city was interesting for it’s beautiful buildings and homes. Many art galleries/gift emporiums and most objects made in China it seems. This town is all about Henry Flagler who built railroads and monumental hotels back in early 1900’s. The weather is still in 70’s-80’s so it’s great sightseeing weather. Should we mention the superb seafood again? Onwards to the next great State of Georgia, docking at Thunderbolt Marina to see Savanna and what a pretty town this is, georgous oak lined streets with Spanish Moss hanging all about .and cobblestone everywhere.The choices of sightseeing are horse and carriage, bus, trolley or shoes. We chose the trolley ( made to look like a minature train) and shoes the second day. River street is all neatly restored to old glory and pretty shops and gallery spaced between bistros and candy, and ice cream shops.We voted for the bistros. If there had’ve been a Boater’s World or a West Marine we would have lost the male vote. Hey, we got there the next day, needed couple of things before heading for the City Market Village. Pat and I had to stop and have a Tapas of beef and hot, spicy Italian sausage.accompanied by cool beer. This was a good stop over between Trolleys and Shoes. But now on to other places. Took off for Beaufort, South Carolina. Oh, I forgot to mention the marina in Thunderbolt embellished our boat every morning with local newspaper and Krispee Kreems for all. A long day cruising through the ICW river systems and across a couple of large sounds including waiting a moment for a Humongus freighter coming down the Savanna River from the Atlantic. No use telling him to slow down and watch his wake or change his heading.So we showed him the courtesy of allowing his passage unobstructed, not to mention he also did have the right of way. Arrived at The Beaufort City Marina, by backing down into the dock against a current of 6 Knots with all others watching and waiting for the fun to begin, but out of luck they were, as it went without a hitch, thanks to twin engines and a smart crew, now that was intense. This town is very historical having been the area where the Civil War was also very intense with General Sherman burning down the town. Later the Declaration of Emacipation was signed and implemented by Ab Lincoln. Many Baptist Churchs, The Tabernacle, The Beaufort. And The First African Baptist of 1865. Also other early churches like St.Helena’s established as an Eplacopal Parish June 7, 1712 and with a cemetery with British Soldiers who fought and died in battle 1779. This was the 9th state of the original 13, Georgia being the 13th. A walk about showed beautiful homes and gardens and suggests to visitors this is a good place to hang up your hat. Tomorrow we set off for Charlston with our hats still on.

Southern Loopers,
Ted, Pat, David and Susan.

LOOP Report 04/13/2005

Coco Beach, Florida
April 13, 2005

Blasted through Florida on the Ocheechobee Waterway from Ft.Myers as if slicing a loaf of bread. The waterway is the colour of melted chocolate popcicles, yuk! Beautiful homes and ranch-like settings are in the river parts but the lake was mostly empty of traffic.We took the direct route across the lake rather than the rim, which was another 10 miles of additional possibility of hitting submerged branchs or logs. We did manage to hit one with a thud as we approached Clewiston ( we love our big protective keel ). That made our decision to cross directly easier. The locks are smaller than previous river experiences and also the drops and lifts are of a few feet only. Entering onto the ICW of the Atlantic brought us into blue- green water and once again we were joined by our dolphin friends happily entertaining us with their joyful antics. We stopped overnight at Vero Beach Municipal Marina. A few Canadian boats here and we’ll see more as we now have started northward. Found a leaking water hose as our port engine pan was full of water which definitely was not proper. Good thing we were checking systems below. David and I got it fixed while Pat and Susan took the bus to town for groceries. Got away at noon and managed a beautiful day of warm weather cruising up the protected ICW coast. Happened along side of “Mr.Ed.” who we had previously met in the USA river system back in November. So had a catch-up small talk byVHF radio chat. He mentioned “Boomer” is a day behind us so will likely see them soon. They have been in Bahamas since December. Susan has figured out we need to average 50 miles a day in order to give us extra days to stop for the sights or weather. Yesterday we easily did 50 miles (12:00 to 6:00). Arrived at Coca Beach and parked at newly renovated Whitley Bay Marina. Rented a car and whipped up to The NASA Kennedy Space Centre. Awsome dimensions everywhere. Felt like being on some different planet or a film set of outer space. Took the standard bus tour around the various launch sites. Currently there is a shuttle/rocket sitting on a pad waiting for a May 15th launch. Did the IMAX film “The Dream Is Alive”and it still is the most awe inspiring view of our spaceship Earth. Headed back to the marina to attend to our ship for the continuing journey. Got an early start next day to make up time. Went past Cape Canaveral and could see the Centre and Rocket with binocs. Arrived in Daytona Beach at 6:00. First half of the day was sun and hot, second half the clouds dropped down on us and the wind turned up a couple notchs to 25 MPH gusts and what they call an inland rough chop. So while the shuttle travels around earth at three times the speed of a bullet ( 6,000MPH ) we are traveling at two times the speed of a turtle ( 9MPH ). Headed for St. Augustine…….

Is it a Train? Is it a Bullet? Is it a shuttle? No, it’s the super sonic Loopers!

Ted, Pat, David and Susan.

LOOP Report 04/03/2005

April 3, 2005

Moss Marina

Ft. Myers Beach, Florida

Well, the latest hot news is cool news as we are not doing much at all with Chinook except getting her ready for travelling. David and Susan will join us again April 7th leaving April 8th. to head up the Caloosahatchee River and through the Okeechobee Lake Waterway and on up the Atlantic side ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway).

Right now all is quiet at the Moss Marina and the weather has been terrific. These weeks, temps have been in the 80’s. The March Break on the gulf beach is in full swing. Our Cape Breton neighbours took their boat around to anchor with others. As they tell the story, seems another 4 boats were rafted offshore and at least 200 people gathered in and out of the water with the ladies showing their wares on the shouts of others. The Sheriff had to find the owners which took quite some time. He then apparently got all of them quieted down. The winds had also picked up at that same time so the fun was over until tomorrow.

Our local friend John Kingston has kindly loaned us his car so we have taken advantage of it to get to the beach with deck chairs, and also do some grocery shopping. Easter Sunday was also in the program. John’s friends have been doing a Barbecue on The Sanibel Causeway middle island for many years and asked us to join them. This was a major food event once more. They did great double dutch oven pots of beans and scalloped potatoes (will get the receipe) done on charcoals and the ham and other meats on a standard large Barbie. There was lots of beverage too. Two large tent canopys to get some shade and cover for the food displayed. These folks know how to have a good time and celebrate any occasion that comes along, much like we do up north on the Bay. We were lucky to be included in their celebrations, neat people, John has great friends.

As we wait for the Chinooks crew to arrive I have managed to get the dinghy out of the water and turned over to expose 4 weeks of barnacles having their own March Break group party. Finally after trying many different products we chased the party away with some nasty chemicals called ON/OFF bottom hull cleaner. Waxed the hull hoping that this may help keep them off. Have put the dinghy on swim platform until we need again. So now we will have to get a diver to do the party that’s attached to the Chinook’s shafts and props.

This ocean travelling in salt water has it’s chores. Must keep at the salt and corrosion with lots of fresh water and wax on stainless. Have discovered if it’s not good stainless it’s going to rust away. Just replaced a side vent that was made of bright metal. Soon as we hit the ocean it just started to corrode. Brass and copper lines seem to get a green coating but doesn’t seem to do damage. Internet Google information confirms this.(hope they are correct).

Well, our friendly neighbours have all left to go home to Nova Scotia. Kenny is still here so we still have the monkey next door. They both have been most entertaining neighbours. Thanks to his fishing we have enjoyed Snook and Sheepshead fish which he kindly shared. Both are nice white meat fish and when done in the frying pan are tasty. He recently went 30 miles offshore fishing and diving with another boat here. So left us his Will on a business card, giving it all to mother, he did say we could have the monkey if he did not come back. He was going to dive alone to 40-60 feet with speargun looking for grouper or shark. CRAZY or what?

Kenny now has his boat up for sale and wants to go back to something like a 55-65 foot houseboat for lake travel near Dallas. Kenny changes boats like socks.

As we move on we will miss all these dock friends and their activities.

Yesterday went to the beach again with chairs and books. Dropped Pat off with chairs and took car back to marina for free parking. Walked back to beach and Pat and I shouldered our way through the crowds to the shore and parked our chairs for the day. Had a swim and then some 21’ boat seemed to be having trouble up the shore so being nosey started up the beach to check it out. Dammit!!! I got a teenagers, out of control, surfing/skimming board rammed right into my left heel to leave a large cut, needless to say I never saw it coming from behind so I did have a few...#*@#%*&+!^%#%... words to say as he tried to apologize. We got a bandage from another beacher and hobbled back to the marina to fetch the car back to pick up Pat. Soaked in Detol and patched with Polysporin seem to have worked as today it’s repairing. Last thing one needs is ocean barnacles and their friends deciding to party there.

Woke up today to rain and winds creating a good rock and roll chop in the marina, so gives us time to catch up on the loop reports.

Observations:

-US Coast Guard guys (no women) all look like teens
-Medical disclaimers are more than half of a pharmacutical
TV commercials
-Hard to find any Florida Bush supporters
-Restaurants serve large, even their appetizers
-Ugly colour licence plates on expensive pretty cars
-Seafood is fresh
-Big discounts at grocery stores with their card
-West Marine stores are everywhere I am
-Beaches are shells
-Birds(pelicans)can smell successful fishermen
-Lawyers on TV commercials trying to look like they’re looking
out for you.
-Spelling-color,harbor,nite,neighbor.
-Florida beaches are mostly white
-Hush Puppies are not shoes here
-Local Newspapers should be Local Adpapers
-Canada needs to buy Florida

Loopers at rest…Ted and Pat

LOOP Report 03/15/2005

March 15, 2005
Ft.Myers Beach, Florida

Well…. The Peat boys have come and gone.

Sandy and Stefan and good friend John spent some quality time on this great beach by using Johns dinghy. We joined them to do some exploring of back mangroves right up to John’s home and dock up the river near Mound Key ( an ancient historical Calusa Indians Shell Mound).

USA March break goes on all 4 weeks. So the sightseeing is real quality. It’s a good time watching the activities on the beach and also the boats coming and going out of the marina when the tide currents are running fast. Both are exciting and stir the imagination. Maybe the beach more so, eh? Stefan.

Had a tour of a large 100’ plus yacht “FairSkies” docked here by the a young captain “John J” who needed information on Georgian Bay for his boss (owner of boat) as they are making their way to Chicago in June. This was some nice boat with an engine room like I have never seen before. Two 1400 HP Detroit Diesels and a lot of stand up dancing room for many other electrics, etc. The rest of the ship also is beyond description because of the beautiful way it’s kept in bristol fashion.

Pat and I attended a fish fry in the boaters lounge on Sunday. The boaters who spend time here put it on and everyone brought some extras. The fish was “Sheepshead” caught off the docks, done as cajun and pan fried. Stuffed again!


Back to the beach scene, we noticed a new 44’ Hunter sailboat beached and filled with water, took a wrong turn at the markers and got pounded to shore. They are going to dredge it out next day or two when there is a high tide.

Have decided to hang out at this Moss Marina as the red tide is still up the coast killing fish and filling the air with particles that bring on bad coughing. It did’t hit this beach but did the others.

The other big event was the Shrimp Festival Parade at Noon on Saturday. Bands, Princesses, fire trucks and Shriners in funny cars and clowns and a huge turn out of people lining the sidewalks in the hot sun.

The strangest thing though was Pat accepting our next door boating neighbour’s request that we babysit his monkey for couple days. So we all got to spend some quality time with our ancestoral family ties. “Tarzana” ( Black Cat Bolivian Squirrel Monkey) stays in her cage though, as we can’t run fast over water and she might, given the chance to find her owner.

You do meet some interesting types on a trip like this one.

Loopers,….Looping and Swinging….

Ted, Pat and Tarzana on Chinook

LOOP Report03/09/2005

Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Wedesday, March 9, 2005

Yes, we got to Boca Grande with Judy and Martin by taking a beautiful route up along inside of Sanibel Island, Captiva Island ( now split in two by hurricane Charlie) and Cayo Costa to end up anchoring in a little inlet beside a mangrove. Friends Paul and Linda arrived by car and met us at a dock and had dinner on board and then we dropped them back by dinghy to shore. They had a room at a local inn nearby. The plan in the morning was to tour town by rental golf cart, a walk on the beach that turned sour because the red tide that was a week old had littered the beach with all varieties of dead fish, the air was not pleasant to breath so took off for lunch at the Loose Caboose, then said goodby to Paul and Linda. By this time we were all coughing from the infected air and people in town were all complaining also. These are the makings of a spooky movie story.

Back on the boat the air got better and we headed back to Ft.Myers Beach to Moss Marina in beautiful warm air. Judy of course finally saw her dolphins and they provided us with aerobatics like haven’t been seen before. Wouldn’t you know it…she picked off a digital photo shot of a perfect leap out of the water and now wants to sell it to me, she almost became the mermaid of the day,… but I contained my enthusiasm and let it pass. Martin, Pat and I agree she got a great and wonderful picture and a memory to take home. Of course, yep once again…. a last “Oink, Onik” meal of grouper and crab legs at the local Beach Seafood Market & Grill (wholesaler and restaurant next door to their shrimp fleet).
Nationwide Mail Order call 800-771-5050. A last drink on board and they were off at 4:am to catch a plane home.

Laundry and cleanup in the morning and Allan and Darlene Leaver arrived at 1:pm. The day was a dismal, wet and a very windy one so we drove for some sightseeing and groceries after having another lunch at a local restaurant . Had to have Buffalo Wings as I’m up to the “you know where” with the seafood, well, at least for another couple hours.

We managed to book in at this marina until Thursday and will then move down a block (a dock or two) to another tie up where they can put us up another week. It’s the big Shrimp Festival weekend with a parade down the main street and all docks and places are booked up. They even close the bridge for the day, so we should be in for some real local fun. And it’s also March Break, so… that will add bikinis to the mix. (we’ll get out the binocs on the top deck)

Allan and I went for a gunk hole ride in the dinghy down to the mooring bay. Many boats are on mooring balls and some at anchor plus various leftover wrecks washed up on ground or into the mangroves by hurracaines. Just like Marathon you see all kinds of quirky boats and their quirky inhabitants. One thing we are discovering is lots of folks just sell all their assets and buy a big boat and then head for Florida and never go back.

One fellow we talked to was from Canada and was living an old wood 80 foot Halifax Fisheries boat. He said when he gets melancholy about home he jumps on a plane and goes back up to Canada and freezes his butt (I think he described it a little differently) off for a few days and hurrys back to his boat here. And he’s just one of the many that we have found hanging on to the docks we’ve stayed at. Life on the water here in Florida seems to be a lot easier on people than on those folks fighting the heavy traffic inland. Now, that is stressful!

Again we ate dinner in style as Pat and Darlene put together a fresh fish dish that can only be described as heavenly. Fresh Sheepshead fish rolled with a superb stuffing of shrimp, herbs de provence and green onions baked in a creamy lemon herb sauce. A little bit of wine to finish off the wee bits scrapped off the dish till it shone.


Went to see the frolics at the Ft. Myers Beach with Pat, Allan and Darlene Sunday afternoon and there was only elbow room, what a play ground (sand box you could say). You got to see all the varieties of the human species that inhabit this planet, some are well put together and some need a lot of more work. It’s not unlike snorkelling on a coral reef, one minute beauty the next predators like the barracuda, the hunters and the hunted. After a bar stop on the beach it was an ice cream cone and a stroll back to our floating pad. Dinner out, courtesy the Leavers, at a great Thai Restaurant by car nearby and finished off some terrific Soups, Tuna, Duck, Chicken and Shrimp. Can’t believe how good the food is here, must be it’s so fresh. Pat tells me it’s because I’m just hungry all the time. That could explain some of it.



Today the friends have gone and now for a clean up and some more sanding woodwork and varnish before the rain settles in again this week.
Good buddy Sandy Peat and son Stefan will arrive next by car and we will do some dinghy exploring with mutual friend John Kingston who lives here in Ft. Myers.

The rain has come with a vengence accompanied with guite a large tidal change overnight. Will relax and work inside on some details that need attending to, so bye for now….

Hold on a minute! Here comes Sandy and Stefan with John down the wet dock looking like soaked polar bears as they just drove through some winter to get here. Just as we are getting the Ark ready for the flood that came last night and today they arrived. 5:00 P.M. ……. Out again for some fish and hot dogs.

Loopers on the Ark…..Ted and Pat with Sandy and Stefan.

LOOP Report 02/28/2005

Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Monday, Feb. 28, 2005

What a special past month,…….every day a new adventure and surrounded by sunlight and beauty.

Marnie, David and Shiloh were reluctant to leave on the big bird yesterday and we were sad to see them leave, we had such a good time experiencing the true old southern gulf side of Florida.

We managed to get down to Bahia Honda Key and anchored off the park beach. A short cruise down the gulf side and under a bridge with mast down got us in a good spot and neat park with a great swimming beach. The dog got her shore leave finally.

We went on to do our snorkelling on Looe Key which was a one hour ride out to the reef off Hawk Channel. Sat on a bouy provided by the state and saw a beautiful selection of eye popping, colourfull, fish and coral including big barracuda watching from the sidelines. After a couple hours here then back to Bahia Honda Park. Next morning to the Everglades cruising over two feet of crystal clear water under our keel across Florida Bay to Cape Sable…..

The Everglades including the Town of Flamingo ( nothing much there, except a couple of American crocodiles by the bridge ) and Everglades City tell many strange stories and it was a wilderness place. In between we anchored again on the way back in Little Shark River. To have been part of this region as a local fisherman or explorer would have twisted peoples character . Imagine alligators and mosquitoes of the same size living with you in tangled mangroves and other not so nice things, yet people kept coming back to the glades. We saw such a place called Chokoloskee and a old museum store called Smallwoods and it’s history standing still. You can imagine every bandit, small time crooks and big killers all hiding out here in the early 1900’s. when the law went in to arrest them they never came back out, so they say. They ran everything from shrimp, mullet and dope out of there including good old moonshine. They tell tall tales here. ( reading book by Toch Brown “A life in the Everglades”).

We had dinner at the Rod and Gun Club at Everglade City, cash only here, but dinner was terrific especially the Grouper “Roxie”. This old place is as it was early 1900’s. A good place to hang out one night.



We left there in a high tide next morning and still were showing 1’ under the keel, … this entire coast is a shoal with cuts dredged out to 7 or 8 feet. Thank goodness we have a keel lower than our props. Also we keep relying on our Garmin depth sounder, this is a great technology.

A good easy cruise up inside Marcoe Island passing by the town of Goodland and Naples to Gordon Pass and into the Gulf to find our way to Ft. Myers Beach.

Stayed at Salty Sam’s and they put us on a terrible high commercial dock next to a large cruise cat ship that takes you to Key West in a big hurry. They didn’t leave soon enough for us. Took off next day to North Captiva and very low water but anchored well in 5 feet of water. Cayo Costa state park was our next stop. The beach was littered with dead fish which was from a red tide week before. This Park was hit hard by the Hurricanes so there is a large cleanup going on. On a trail back saw land Tortoise and a very black wild pig apparently left behind by Spaniards many years ago. Park officer suggested if you could catch one you could take him home. A wild place to hang out now.

We all came back to Ft. Myers Beach and put up at Moss Marina and did a little clean up and rented a car from Hertz to use as transport to Tampa Airport ( the dog looked like, “can’t I stay here” ) and Pat and I then went back to our “Chinook” after to seeing them off to Vancouver..

Arriving in good time next day were good friends Martin and Judy. I had taken the car back and now was riding the free trolley back to greet them. They had arrived with Judy’s sister and brother-in-law from England on a visit to relatives in Naples. After messing up ( miss-judged the current and rubbed the boat along some pilings, so learned another valuable lesson about tides and currents … pre-plan your escape route ) on leaving the dock in heavy currents we all went for a ride out to Sanibel Island and walked over to see the big beach. Then back for 6:00 so sister Joan and husband Jerry could beat the setting sun on a ride back to their vacation pad.

Sunday showed up with high winds and possible tornados so guess what….. we stayed another day and drove to Pine Island to check out village of Malalaca and to drop into a Diary Queen for a dipped cone. On way back we picked up a few fresh stone crab claws and large shrimps and demolished them very quickly back on the boat while watching the Oscars.

We must leave A.M. today, provided the winds drop, and show the gang some more of this great coast and get back on anchor at Boca Grande for a little R and R. Will also meet other friends for lunch there, Paul and Linda, who are visiting nearby. Wednesday will see us back at Moss Marina. The Leaver’s are nearby and will join for some cruising fun soon also.

Loopers and visiting friends…..Ted, Pat,……. Judy and Martin.

LOOP Report 02/13/2005

Marathon and Key West Florida in the Conch Republic.
Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005

The Atlantic, seems unbelievable that we have come to this magical place in the keys of Florida.

Marathon is a gathering place of hundreds of boaters some who came and never left. Many of them are just as you might read in a novel, crusty, knarly, some hard bodies, and some living just a step above homeless. Most of the workers here are living on the boats at anchor as general accommodation is too expensive. There are hundreds of boats and not much available space at all for us transients.

Luckily our friends Gord and Heidi on “Single Minded” were already here for a month and got us a great spot next to the Famous Sombero Dockside Bar. We just pull up a table and party with everyone else. Each night a different band takes to the tent till 10:30. They sure know how to work hard at having a good time here.

The winds are up so we need to stay close to the bar.

The trip down was a joy ride across Florida Bay, staying one night on anchor in Little Shark River in the Everglades. Poor dog Shiloh had to stay on board for there was no landing in the mangroves for her. They say the mosqitoes are bad and they were right but we were ready for them, just like the Bay at home. In the morning the dolphins saw us out of the river into the bay.

The closer we got to the keys the bluer the water. Also the shallower, always in 8 feet and less as we got near the 7 mile bridge that saw us go under and toast the entry into Hawk Channel and the great Atlantic.

We have rented a car while waiting for winds to drop and are driving down to Key West to watch the sun set. Yesterday we had a great lunch at the Lor–e-lei (a mermaid) crab shack on the way to see Humphrey Bogart at Key Largo. ( actually not much there except some retail stores )

We’ll soon be on anchor again to do some snorkeling and then head back up to the village of Flamingo in the Everglades and then on up to Ft. Myers area again. Have to tell you the seafood is wonderful, plentiful and varied. The sights here are the same too.

Sunday,
We all got to Key West in the Conch Republic by our rental car and did the sightseeing thing by trolly train and the history is historic when told by a local. Ter..rr..rr..if..ic lunch of conch fritters, stone crab claws, etc. on an upstairs terrace restaurant and toasted our southern arrival and Valentines Day tomorrow with a lovely rose.eh! wine. But must carry on to witness the big event of the day. Everyone comes to see the sunset at Mallory Square including the buskers, fireaters, performing dogs, Disney cruise ship, escape artists, jugglers, photographers, jewelers, seagulls, pigeons, little people, tall people, all sizes people, guys on their knees with rings proposing to ladies who are amazed and crying. There’s more but we left to drive back out of the madding crowd to the more sedate Sombero Dockside Rock and Roll bar in Marathon. A simple dinner on board Chinook of crab melts on croissants. Now, ain’t this the damdest trip and we are only half way at approx: 3000 miles including all the twists and turns. Until next whatever…..

Loopers and Shell Scoopers…Ted, Pat, and crew David, Marnie, Shiloh the protector against all pirates of the Carribean.

Happy Valentine Day to everyone.

LOOP Report 02/7/2005

Naples, Florida
Monday, Feb. 7, 2005

Arrived in this special destination, just a little over the top when walking down 5th Ave.
How did we get here?

Let’s once again back up to leaving Tierra Verde.

Marnie and David joined us byflying in from Vancouver, B.C. via 25 degrees below Ottawa. Shiloh, their English bird dog went into doggy heaven upon arriving in the 70’s +.

We’ve got to go shelling on Shell Island and have done every beach since. We beat our way across some good waves in the Tampa Bay for a couple of hours to get to the other side. Much better doing that in daylight.

Anchored near Longboat Key Pass and watched a couple of large boats go aground on a sand shoal in the channel near low tide. We went out on the high tide and were ok but later found some soft sandy ground not supposed to be there. Seems we were so excited about watching the dolphins jumping along side that we went off the very narrow channel.

Found a public 18 hour dock after being on anchor one night in the Venice area. We went to the Venice Beach hunting for sharks teeth on their beach ( picked up six between us after 3 hours ).

Next it was anchoring in Boca Grande and more beach and this is a place to hang out, we all agree that this is the place to just enjoy. Rented a Golf Cart for the day and cruised at a lightening speed of 10 MPH. Again a spectacular beach and shells and estates for the very rich and famous. Got a great bargain on Tarpon fish fighting shoes for the slippery decks. I suppose we should now try to catch a fish.

We went on to Port Sanibel Island Marina. No doubt the largest and classiest hanger for dry stowing boats. We stayed for a night and then on to anchor at Sanibel Island next to the Causeway.

This was good for taking dog for a walk ashore and pat and I dinghyed around canals to see how people manage to stay after the hurricaines. They got hit badly on the coast and many damaged trees. This place is still paradise and none of us would leave either for a little 230 MPH winds. Well, maybe for month maybe we’d leave. That night on anchor the winds picked up at 3:00 am. About 6:00 am. we pulled up anchor before the wind and waves did it for us. Took off for Fort Myers Beach and got a slip there so we could rent a car and see the surrounding Sanibel Island beaches without worring about the anchor holding.

Did some shopping also before our trip to Naples. An old aquaintance and friend of Sandy Peat, John Kingston came to say hello at the dock with a bottle of rum. He has been living here since 1985 and loves it here. He was driving a 53 Chevy Business Coupe attached to a 85 Blazer truck chassis. This was some beast to drive around town. Next day car rental goes back and we shop around the neat shops and beaches of Fort Myers Beach. Hey! The weather shaped up to now go off shore into the gulf and a 4 hour trip down the south shore to Naples, seas around 2 foot and a NE offshore wind of 10-15 MPH.

Florida is one long beach all the way. Being close to shore, around 3 miles we had to pick our away around crab pots again. The water colour is finally getting clearer and blue-green. Approaching Gordon Pass into Naples harbour the beach houses knock your socks off and I mean big with landscaping like manicured jungle. We picked a marina that also is very well put together. Can you believe, a Club Room with a 60” plasma screen to watch the Super Bowl,

Couple of blocks away is the famous Naples 5th Ave. As the guide books say it’s got a lot of Gew-Gaw stores. David and Susan dropped by in their truck and we had a great lunch at Joe’s Crab Shack. This evening a swim in the pool and a light dinner of nachos. Tomorrow it’s on to Marko Island and another anchorage.

Loopers and special loopies…Ted, Pat, Marnie, David and Shiloh

LOOP Report 01/27/2005

Tierra Verde Resort Marina
Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005

Finally, back to putting down some history of the static, non communicative January Loopers Ted and Pat.

We have just completed connecting with all the invasive species of friends from the icy regions of the north. Last weekend on Saturday everyone arrived to noch on a great dinner of beef and buns, …. david (allen)and susan (smith),… allan and Darlene (leaver),….jim and pat (tucker)…How they all managed to pick on the same day to beam down to Tierra Verde, Florida is one of those events that can only be explained by a sci-fi super nova , nano sub atomic, explorer of another planet yet to be discovered.

We had a good two day visit with Allan and Darlene. Then we all dined at Billie’s bar around the corner after visiting someones beautiful jungle RV campsite just down the road from our dock. Just happens the someone was David and Susan.

But you must wonder what we did with all the days since getting here since Dec.31…. sightseeing and boat detailing.

Hired a diver to scrub the bottom after I scrapped off the barnacles that attached to our vinyl boot line. Pesky little crustaceans… we have done some exploring the neighbourhood in our dingy and found Shell Island, miles of sand and shells…no one around during the week, all to ourselves. Did some major repairs to our damaged swim platform (storm on Dec. 26 while away home) and got a Volvo diesel mechanic to service and then diagnose our failing turbo on our port engine. The lost power since leaving Georgian Bay has now been returned to normal by putting in a rebuilt. Have had very nice dinners with our boating neighbours including “Hornblower” a boat we previously met on the river trip, they live just up the street in a condo with a waterside slip.

We are now getting our warm weather back since having heaters on last week. And this is good since Pat’s sister Marnie and hubby David of Vancouver, B. C. arrived by a very cold (21 degrees below) Ottawa to Toronto connection. They are joining us for the next month (if they can pick off the icicles first and don’t want to go back to skating on the Rideau) of travel to points south and Key West, hopefully with weather on our side. Their dog “Shiloh” loves the climate here, makes it a little easier than doing the outdoor john thing back in Ottawa.

Took them on a side trips to Tarpon Springs and on to the State Wildlife Park “Homosassa Springs” to see Manatees and other beautiful birds and animals of Florida. I can’t get over the neon intensity of the orange/red colour of Flamingos. Is it real? Only their hairdresser knows…also went back to visit Sarasota’s “St. Armands Circle” for a lovely Italian lunch and look at the chi-chi shops. Actually bumped into a boating couple from the “ Caribbean Queen” walking on the street that we had met in a couple different marinas on the river coming south, small world again.

Came back into St. Petes Beach area and had an evening cocktail with Leavers in their (month) rental condo on the gulf. Real nice digs for nice real folks.

Today we are stuffing up all the little spaces and coolers on the Chinook with provisions as we are weighing anchor Friday morning. Marnie named our little inflatable dingy “Fast Fry” as baby Chinook salmon are called “fry” and with a 15 HP on it she probably got it right. With a smaller engine it would have been “Small Fry”.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten something in this rambling dialog but if it comes to mind we will add to our next installment. If anyone can suggest anchorages on the way to Key West from Tampa please advise….

On our Way…

Loopers, Ted and Pat with Pacific Coast deckhands… Marnie and David.

-and…Superwatchdog…Shiloh

LOOP Report01/3/2005

Tierra Verde Resort Marina
Jan. 3, 2005

Loop Report

The ocean cowboy and cowgirl are back on the open range again but are staying close to the barn until late January when Pat's sister Marni and husband David will join us from Vancouver for a month's ride down the gulf. But must say now, we had a great time off from our trip for Xmas with family and friends and hope y' all had good holidays also. Can't deny the 2 foot of drift and minus 20 might have helped us to find our way to the JetsGo counter on Dec.31. We arrived in Florida to a local boaters gathering that evening at the poolside bar. After many samples of cajun seafood and liquid wash down we actually had to head home early before the big countdown. Must have been the change of climate? January first was a day to see some road with the PT Cruiser we rented. We took off for The Desoto State Park and Fort, which is a couple of palm tree miles south of here. Created to protect the Tampa Bay from the Spanish in the late 1800's to the turn of century. A terrific well kept public "Blue Flag" beach here with endless parking and a RV camp site on a bayou. Stopped in at the St.Petersburg Municipal Marina to visit our gulf boating friends Gord and Heidi on "Single Minded". Looks like a good marina to hang out right on the waterfront of the city. Toronto could take a lesson from Chicago and now St.Petersburg also. If you asked how did our boat do during the month of December I'd have to say, not bad considering on Dec.26 early A.M. a mini 70 MPH breeze blew up a 6 foot surge in 20 minutes in the marina (never seen before ) and put water over the docks and withdrew in another 20 minutes. Our swim platform got caught on the dock and a couple of boards got cracked and stern light ripped off. Apparently everyone was busy in their PJ's and undies trying to keep their own boats off the docks. We'll have to get out the clamps and glue to get a couple pieces together. January 2nd took us back up north to Tarpon Springs to do some up town antique stores plus picking up some fresh seafood and then just sightsee by car. Jan. 3rd off south towards Sarasota and Longboat Key. which found us a great cuban mixed tapas lunch at the Columbia Restaurant on St.Armands Circle, Sarasoto, nice stores too. Stopped at the State Park site of the Spanish invaders DeSoto's landing and trail start. This was your original tourist from hell. We went on to grocery shop and then home. I think DeSoto had the same plan, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He thought it was gold he was searching and plundering for but I think the local natives knew it as oranges. Everything is in the timing, eh?

January 4, 2005

Wouldn't you know it, another ( 66 ) birthday came and went. No big candle celebration except some good wishing well phone calls and a delicious experimental dinner of shrimps and sweet potatoes (better than Yams) from Mexico. Returned rental car and now back working on boat chores.

January 5, 2005

Fixing the swim platform with "Gorilla Glue" and clamps and sanding the rails for a coat of cetol (varnish). Got to get it ready for our guests coming late January. The weather has been spectacular in upper 70's and clear skys. Pat' busy catching up on her reading and powerbook games after an exhausting season, but lot's of fun, December holiday season. Hard to believe we were just digging and blowing that white solid stuff out of our path two weeks ago. Noticed today large fish (snooks) swimming and hiding under our boat. Every once in a while a pelican will plunge right next to the boat and is quite startling. Probably why the fish stick to staying under boat. Barnacles starting to show on hull so a young neighbour kid will dive and clean off for $1 per foot this weekend.

Jan. 7, 2005
Turns out the dive clean should be done just before we leave for Key West. Everything came at once today. Volvo mechanic arrived to service the engines and we did a run test out into the bay and the port turbo is not performing so will need a restore? Maybe this will resolve our black smoke problem. then the Mac computer guy arrives to check out our browser glicch. and also our repaired two bench tested VHF's arrive to install with our broadcast problems (turned off the GPS depth sounder when on transmit.) How could this all come together the same day? Well we are now online using somebodies local high speed wireless broadcast. VHf's radios seem to now both work and no interference to GPS. Volvo yet to be proved better. Had to hit the pool to cool down all this high tech brain stimuli. Neighbour dropped off an old selection of Atlantic Coast charts for free , now that's friendly. For Pat's birthday tomorrow we should put down the dingy and check out the local beach at Shell Island. Maybe we should row and stick to low tech.

New Year Loopers...Ted and pat

LOOP Report 11/28/2004

Tierra Verde Resort Marina, Florida. (sent from back in Ontario)

Nov. 28, 2004

Pat and I discovered this more affordable monthly rate Marina about 25 miles south of Clearwater that had a space if we came down Tuesday. Found it in one of the many guide books we have on board. It was the fact it had a pool and jacuzzie plus internet in the hotel/resort part of the complex that got us moving.

Let’s back up to Clearwater first.

Pat, David, Susan and I had a visit and dinner with Jim and Pat Tucker in Clearwater at a great restaurant called the Beachcomber the night before David and Susan would get on a plane and head back to home base.

On Sunday evening we had a Pizza with Gord and Heidi from “Single Minded” who just happened to dock next to us. Had a good rehash of our gulf experience.

The next day we rented a car fom Enterprise, they came and picked us up at the marina which made it easy for us. We wanted to go and double check this new marina idea and see the beach coast. It is of course just one huge home or resort hotel after another and all candy wrapped with boats and docks that seem to go on forever.

Walked into this very exposed to the gulf and bay winds marina called Tierra Verde Marina The dock guy says we don’t have a reservation here nor do they have a slip 92. I keep insisting, don’t know why , cause I now did not want to leave a boat here for a month. Then he decides to tell me that I should talk to the Tierra Verde “Resort” Marina next door. Thank , you know who, this turned out to be in a protected harbour with all the services we could ever need.

Monday after sightseeing by car we were back on the boat and Gord asked if we like Sushi as they needed a fix of Japanese. They picked on the right couple as that is what we do whenever we get the chance. Again the choice of restaurant and the food was very, very good.

So.. turned in the car next morning but not before stopping at West Marine again to pick up a few things. Yesterday we got our new Garmin chart software for southern Florida. Said goodby to our neighbours and pat and I slid out of our slip at 1:00 PM and headed down the ICW small and big craft route taking a lot longer than we thought as we had to get 7 low bridges to open for us. We are 22 Feet high with mast and all the bridges are 21-25 feet dead center. Not worth the chance! Would not be a nice sound and would make for a bad day. They were quick to open but everywhere are slow ”no wake” zones so we pulled in finally at 4:30 PM having gone down the coast approximately 25 miles. One good 10 minutes of dolphins, mom and little one leaping along side. Took many pictures and not one caught them in flight…maybe next time we’ll get shutter lucky.

Fuelled up the tanks and maneuvered into our tight little slip. Got some help from another boater tying up. Turns out there are a few live aboards here and they appear to be experienced in sailing southern Florida.

Up early at 7:30 AM and washed down the salt and then went to the pool. It’s a big cool pool with a hot Jacuzzi also. Can see thinking of staying here longer, it’s such a nice a resort.

Have rented a car for 3:30 PM so we can enjoy an invitation to American Thanksgiving with the Tuckers at their RV site Thursday afternoon. Will sightsee some more on Friday and can drop off car at airport on Saturday, no charge with a three day rental.

Got the car and took the VHF’s in for a bench test, not transmitting well. Stopped off at a little pub on the water for a pina colada and the weather changed with rain starting. But Pat got her laundry done this AM so things are good and right.

Had a terrific Thanksgiving dinner at the Tuckers KOA RV site with a crowd of over 100.Their RV machine makes for very comfortable living in Florida. Had a good visit.

Got the boat all tied up secure at the dock for the next month and other boaters are keeping watch. We’re invited back for a New Years Eve Dock Party! They tell us it’s giant Margarita’s and fresh seafood cooked in big pots and lot’s of music. So our stories and trip will pick up again on Dec.31st.

We have arrived by Jetsgo in Toronto but the plane was over one hour late. Seems so strange what took almost three months to traverse took only three hours back. I guess you could now say we are getting close to being half way on this journey.


Double trouble Loopers…Ted and Pat

LOOP Report 11/19/2004

Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Nov. 19, 2004

Where do I start to tell you of our past few days of anticipation, excitement and outright …like…what are we doing out here?…

Let’s start back with our boating buddies in Carrabelle and a last All-Star game of pool. They had roundly beaten us in the Tournament but we managed to beat them badly in 5 games the last night before leaving. After much discussions with the local dock guru “buddie” (should have been “muddie” ) and reviewing three different sources of weather reports, Wednesday was to be the day to go… straight across the gulf of Mexico on a line of 145 degrees to Tarpon Springs. Winds of 5 to 10 to 15 at times coming off shore from the North and North East and then East… Waves were to be 2 to 4 feet .

The run would take us out a ways, so by leaving around noon we would travel all night to arrive approaching our destination in daylight to be able to see the many crab pots that supposedly are in the approaches. Around 180 miles all together, maybe 18 to 20 hours. The three boats all decided to stay together going at the slowest pace of “Boomer “ at 8 to 9 MPH. “S ingle Minded” also. Both roll more than we do it seems. Prepared the boat by roping every thing down we could think of and got ourselves ready for a gentle ride overnight.

It turned out everyone’s ( weather forecasters) brains had gone south… at midnight we had gusts of NE of 20 and seas of 5 to 6 and rogues of 6-8 feet that beat the three boats badly. A very long and tough night on the bridge mostly steered by David midnight till 4 AM, All three boats crew felt nausious or sick by 5 PM. We got way ahead of the others as our line suited our boat not theirs. They finally later came back on our line as there was no better way. We did have a starlite night with a quarter moon for some light. Pat sat in the galley holding onto the table and watched many things flying onto the floor but could not reach them as standing was near impossible, she finally laid down around 5:15 AM and I after being laid out sideways on the bed since 1: 00 AM went back up on bridge at 4:00 then relieved David about 5:00 AM. Sue and I watched with great enthusiasum the sun rise in the east over the coast and exposed the town of Tarpon Springs. Now we could see the waves and action better…it never subsided as it was predicted so we powered into the bay at 10:00 AM to pick our way through scattered crab pot bouys and their ropes, David came back on the bridge at 7:30 AM with a fresh face to show us,…well not all that fresh…actually quite beat…sue crashed when he got up…she and Pat were tigers for staying the night on the bridge and watching the galley …the boat performed perfectly without missing a beat for around 22 hours…a punishing night.

All three boats safe in Harbour , us at 11:00 AM. The rest 2 hours later.
Everyone to the beds.
Hadn’t eaten since last day. Don’t care.
The land won’t stop rolling.
Arms and legs ache from holding the boat together.
Boat has a thick layer of salt.
Another Canadian Boat pulls in from somewhere else.
Four Canadian Flags flying at dock together.
And old skipper Joe from the “Compromise” got there before us, how? Not a clue!
Dock walking tourists asking where we came from.

From Hell….. jeeZzUsC-X~@x%+>?#$hiT.e.e …..and Back…EH!

We all were hungry that evening and had a good home cooked dinner then all crashed at 10:00 PM.

Spent next day exploring Tarpon Springs,… Greek Sponge fishermen here and the rest of all their relatives who have restaurants are here too…

Finally found a hair salon and got renewed,…(probably lost 20 pounds on the floor)…. since the last haircut was in Little Current back in early September….Is that still me in the mirror or just another dashing young Canadian tourist?

Finished up with fresh stone crab claws on ice bought off the back of a Greek truck in someones front yard for an ourdouerveee…Then all the crews (10) went together for a Greek dinner at Santorini’s.and celebrated our daring and delightful encounter with mother nature. It has taken a day to be able to find some humour in it all. The table was very loud and animated and as you all know that’s how we like it.

Good friends and good tales…all exaggerated….

Tomorrow….Clearwater, Florida

ARRIVED…left our boat friends in Tarpon Springs and arrived in the real Florida, boats of all description… even a floating Church with a blue spire on a barge. We docked at the Clearwater Municipal Marina soon after. Washed down with fresh water and a brisk scrubbing. The Tuckers, Jim and Pat, came over from their RV home and we all went for a great dinner at The Clearwater Beachcomber having had ourderuveveees (Shrimp and stone crab claws on ice) on the bridge of Chinook. The beach next door down the street looks like a place we could spend a lot of time just vegging. Will try it out this week.

David and Susan leave Sunday and will join us again in April or before. Meantime Pat and I expect visitors to show up and help us put down the cool ones and catch some sun.
Are you ready come Jan.Feb.Mar.?

This is a warm place…..eh!


Looping, Woobly and Sunblasted gang…Ted, Pat, David, Susan

LOOP Report 11/14/2004

Carrabelle, Florida.

Nov.14, 2004

Crossing the Mobile Bay was a long day in a mostly following sea of 2-3 foot with winds coming out of the north at 15-20 with gusts. We cut on a 145 degree angle giving us little roll. We passed a shrimping boat with his nets hanging off each side looking like a big butterfly and surrounded by hundreds of seagulls hoping for leftovers. Spotted our first porpoises swimming along on our side. The water was so brown in the Bay it surprised us that they were swimming in such murky conditions. We have since enjoyed their company numerous times. They either were jumping out in front of the boat to let us know they had arrived to play in the bow wash or leaping along side in the surf at a fast speed but streamlined and showing no effort. They tend to leap out of the water on their side and give you a wink with their eye. And in a blink of their eye they just disappear and are gone somewhere else that’s more fun.

Much of the Intra Coastal Waterway has taken us past much Hurricane devastation, houses demolished, boats torn apart and put up on shore by the surge. Others sunk at docks and docks washed away or sunk, just the pilings showing. Most of the houses and condo buildings in Pensacola have blue tarp roofs. Many boats are up on land with huge holes and damaged hulls. While staying overnight at Seville Harbour Marina in Pensacola we saw that half of the marina was gone and had no water or power.Up on shore there were boats 1/2 block away laying in the trees and yards. We walked around a bit to find the small historical part of town, nice old houses some dating to 1825. The town got it’s start somewhere around in 1550’s.

We stopped in at Destin for a two day stay and saw all the charter boats with their clients taking their catch home, looked like everyone had 20-40 fish each, a sort of red snapper called Mingo, mixed in with grouper and flounder.. Many damaged boats are up in the parking lot are being auctioned off by insurance companies. It’s sad to see such destruction made by the seas we are seeing so calm now. We all went for a shopping break to the big box outlet malls by cab and enjoyed an afternoon getting our land-legs sorted out. We are certainly getting our fill of seafood- breakfast shrimp omelette, fresh shrimp dinner on board, jerk tuna at the restaurant and fresh flounder on board again.

After Destin we kept on towards Panama City and anchored in a lovely “Pearl Bayou”. Got the swim ladder down for the first dip in salt water that was semi clear. Right away a dolphin appeared to see the action so I got out quickly not knowing their reaction to a visitor to their bay. Turns out a local sail boater mentioned there are alligators back in the bayou a little way and could come out in the night. So no more swimming for a time. David got very excited when the evening military jet birds soared over our heads at ultra speeds with their tails on fire like the Phoenix’s. F-18’s David thinks. All I know is they make one H..of a noise.

Next morning the weather reports are not favourable for crossing Gulf till next Sunday or later so have gone back for the next night to Panama City and fill up with water etc. Dinner out at the “Bayou Joe’s Crab Shack” with friends Wilma and Ozzie from “Boomer” .They also fly a Canadian flag and are from Brockville. Good food and interesting stories of previous trips they have made. Up in the morning to head for next stop “St.Joes”.

St. Joes is about 5 miles down a narrow channel from the ICW on the Gulf. Good marina and groceries at the Wiggly-Piggley and it was Veterans Day so much was closed and this town doen’t have much to start with but are trying hard with new construction coming on.
Again lot’s of chartering boats for sports fishing.

Got to Apalachicola, Florida and tied up to the River Inn Marina Docks as all other Marinas were full with people waiting to cross over…The pelicans on the pilings are everywhere here not unlike our Canadian geese. Slippery docks!!! But they are great to watch landing and taking off. Our friends “Boomer” showed up also. Lot’s of shrimp boats here and the seafood is the freshest and the best.

We are gathering various other boats who will also make the overnight passage of 20-22 hours at 8 knots to “Tarpon Springs” all weather permitting. The point of departure will now be “Carabelle”.We will need 24-36 hours of north to north east winds under 10 MPH or NO WINDS!!!

All the boats going are getting revved up for a rendezvous before starting this part of the great adventure.


We decided against the overnight trip as the winds are still not favourable. Went to the Dixie Theater for their 2nd Annual Jazz and Blues festival. Turned out to be Zydeco music which is high energy, smokin’ Louisiana folk or Creole music for foot tapping or dancing as it’s impossible to sit still. (They gave us cushions so as not to get blisters on our butts as we didn’t get off ours).Must say we loved the music and had a good time listening and learning.

Took off early at 7:00 am to head for an all day run to Stenachie across the bay on the big bend. Got as far as Carrabelle and decided we wouldn’t have enough light when arriving so are here waiting for Wednesday weather break. The gulf is currently 10-20 MPH winds northeast and north but waves are 5-8 feet and 7 seconds between. Guess What? We are waiting.

Finally have a nice marina with a lounge with pool table so David and I got beaten up by “Boomer” and “Single Minded” in a Canadian Boat Tournament. Thinking they may have hustled us.We finished with happy hour and discussed when we will all take off and which destination.

Finally have internet after a long time so good to catch up with everyone again. Enjoying all your comments. Seems if I use David’s PC I can send many photos together. When using our Mac G3 we can only do one at a time. AOL software is not as up to date for OS 9.2. Will keep on trying on both machines and will post to the web site at www.gpslocations.ca.

Must mention the beautiful Dolphins played with us again in the St.George Sound coming to Carrabelle, and they are incredibly entertaining leaping in pairs as many as 5 together.

Looping gang…Ted, Pat, David, Susan

LOOP Report 11/03/2004

Mobile, Alabama.

Nov.3, 2004

Waiting for weather to get better before 3 hour crossing of Mobile Bay to the Intra Coastal Waterway leading us on to Florida waters. Our trip to New Orleans was a truly fun experience having got there for two nights of halloween on Bourbon street.

Got to see The Preservation Hall and the band played on.

Lot;s of superb spicy cajun seafood mixed with lot’s of local colour and music, topped with a trip to local cemetery and the french quarter by mule and buggy to create a New Orleans sightseeing salad…There was a side dish of going to the New Orleans Museum of Art and tasting the delights of the Sculpture Garden. For a final dessert we took off for a Swamp tour by high speed air boat. Discovered gators will eat most anything by crushing it and swallowing whole. Why they like marshmellows,… well, doesn’t everyone? Top this all off with temperatures in the 80’s and you got a great southern menu.

Thanks for the return e:mails. We enjoy hearing from everyone.

Looping swamp gang…Ted, Pat, David, Susan

LOOP Report 10/31/2004

New Orleans, Louisiana.
Oct.31, 2004

Halloween in this town leaves us wordless. Best look at the photos.

Loopers

LOOP Report 10/25/2004

Demopolis, Oct.25, 2004

Need to stop here and provision.

Not much between here and Mobile except 2-3 anchorages. It’s hot and damp with humidity but it’s why we’re here, looking for the sun was one of the goals. The river has been very much an obstacle course lately because of heavy rains up north of here. At one point looked like we had to cut the lawn in front of us, this was a garden of floating Hyacinth which filled the path in front of us in the river and locks. Later it became floating junk like trees, logs and the odd refrigerator. And of course dealing with the big wake guys has been an experience. Seems a few people in locks and the river have considered calling the local sheriff as they will meet you at the next lock and put you in handcuffs. ( different kind of lock up not to be experienced.)

We keep meeting this old salt sailor “Joe” who always arrives hours after us in his 25 foot “Compromise” with his little outboard. He’s been going since 11 years ago since retiring. He appears to have not changed his shirt since starting. His reply on this is…”When I can’t find which of the many holes to put my head through I’ll get another.” We think he’s a bit of a storyteller as we enjoyed gabbing with him over an iced lemon tea.

Of course, would’nt you know, now we are going to town in the courtesy car it has started to pour again and will keep the river brown and junky.

We keep hearing about the problems of dockage for transients further on as many of the marinas got hammered by two or more hurricanes, some are non-existent and others will be back in business soon. It seems some folks left their boats up here to get away from the storms on the Gulf.

Apparently from Susan’s scouting the town when on her daily morning walk, it ain’t much to look at and even less to shop at. There is always a WallMart or big box mall around the next corner, guess why the local stores and town are empty…..Hello.oo.oo… Is anybody home upstairs? ….George?…..Kerry?..!!!

Must say we keep meeting very nice and interesting boaters all on there way south just like us, some finishing their loop, others half way.

Please send us an occasional e:mail to let us know you are either getting our stories and pictures or wish some other info we missed.

OK! The wee pigees are off to market.

Ted, Pat, David and Susan, on board the good ship “CHINOOK”

Check web site: gpslocations.ca

LOOP Report 10/21/2004

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Pulled into a marina called Columbus in the dark and mist after a very long, long , long day….. It all started a day ago as a foggy morning checking with the lockmaster to see about locking down in the AM from Aberdeen Marina…”how’s the fog south of the lock?” “Well, you’ all might say it’s socked in down stream but ok up…come on down and we’ll put you through if you care to try”. We motored over slowly and went up against the lock wall to see a massive log and garbage field you could walk across…Now all this came from a massive downpour the day before,.like I mean 3 to 4” of rain and thunder and lightning while we stayed at Midway marina –tornado warnings just to our north by 40/50 miles. Leaving south from Midway at noon we saw and dodged lumber all the way to our next marina at Aberdeen. We had an idea we’d see it again. While staying at the marina we borrowed the town car and went to have dinner at the Best Western (that’s all their was folks). You guessed it …nothing to write home about… Back to the next morning and up against the wall at the lock. No way lockmaster ….not going through that. He says—“We are bringing up a barge and crane in an hour and we’ll bucket it out shortly”.to save you from the rest of the day we didn’t get through until 6:00PM and it got dark fast and we led the way for three other boats with radar and minimum visibility through mist and fog dodging more floating bits and pieces.

A half moon lit up the way down the ditch to our next marina with staff waiting to help us into the slip. We had a great late dinner with a few belts to calm down from the all day journey… So next morning they’re playing the national anthem at 6:30 AM for the start of a Bass Tournament with many,many, pro fisherman here with their amazing rigs with 250 HP outboards all heading out. We could not leave as we discovered our starboard engine had both engine mount bolts sheared on it’s port side. Found a loose nut on the back mount to cause vibration we think. While it got fixed David and I checked out the pros coming in with their catches. Allowed 5 fish and are weighed while bagged alive. Then are put back in the river system for another day. 3 days of fishing ..the third day only the top 6 get to play. Prizes are Big - a Ford pick-up .

Pat and Susan ,..well they went to the town for a couple hours to see not much at all apparently. We are fixed ready to leave again in the AM. Let’s hope they got the locks cleared of the river junk so we can get on down to Demopolis. Forgot to mention some of the ignorant skippers in big 50’Sea Ray type boats giving us the big wakes cause they are in a hurry. Well, one coming by us out of a lock with a 6’ wake didn’t see the barge coming up at us because he was so busy trying to avoid the 6” wake I suddenly put up for him to cross over, he had to back off and come in behind and follow us until the barge went by. I actually think I did him a favour….If you’re asking….yes , we are having a fun adventure.

Loopers: Teddy, Patsy, Davee, Susie

LOOP Report 10/18/2004

October 18, 2004

Now headed down hill, starting at 414 feet above sea level at the top end, the Tenn-Tom is the Tennessee and the Tombigbee Rivers shortened by a massive canal 234 miles long, 300 feet wide and 9 feet depth with 10 locks, providing lifts down 341 feet. 14 million gallons of water to fill one chamber. Once again I have to say REALLY BIG!

Attached photos show how we handle the lift down. We have been lucky not having to wait to long by calling lockmaster ahead of time they let us known who’s locking in up or down. Tows can take 2 or more hours and they get first choice.

Weather has been overcast and raining but now is warming up even with rain still around us.The scenery is pretty and better than descriptions in manuals. Lots of birds on shore. Still not seeing much colour in the trees but it has been so dry here that they may just go brown after we pass.

Since putting new nozzles on the injectors the black soot has reduced but not entirely, and we picked up a couple of RPM’s. Will still travel at our 2700-2800 RPM’s giving us approx: 10-11 MPH using down river current maybe 12-13 MPH.(8.6-9.6knots).

Today we are at Midway Marina and are borrowing a courtesy van and will shop. The propane tank finally ran out on us while cooking dinner, does’t it always do that .not before not after but right in the middle. Not to mention being out of wine and we are in dry counties, so may need to get some local moonshine.Just Kidding! We did see some corn whiskey for sale in Nashville at 80 proof but took a pass on it.Yeeeee..Haw.

Ted, Pat, Dave, Sue.

LOOP Report 10/16/2004

October 16, 2004

Have arrived at the Aqua Marina in Iuka, Mississippi, Now this is a REALLY BIG facility with all the specialties a boater needs. So we got a roving mechanic to put in our new replacement nozzels for the Volvo injectors, as we have been blowing black smoke up our rear end since leaving Dodge City “Honey Harbour”. We hope this is the cure for now, (he did also find a loose clamp on the cold air side of the turbo). Now the trip getting here has been uneventful, except for seeing endless simple shoreline, The old Miss has some interesting cliffs but The Tennessee River has more variations, houses and cottages on high. Also the water is taking on a cleaner look as you can now see down about 6”, the beige now being a shade closer to puce.We finally found a wonder cleaner for the brown beard on the bow, Starbright Hull Cleaner.We did see a fox walking the Paducah shoreline and he sure could have used the cleaner also as he was wearing black boots from the Mississippi Mud or was it the Ohio River, naw, it was the Tennessee. As you might notice, we are slowly losing track of days, rivers, towns, marinas and all the new boats we meet on the way…The hillside are showing only a little colour and the last two evenings have been cool. They say 8o degree weather is on it’s way. There was some excitement on the way when we stopped in at Pebble Isle Marina and rented a car from a Chevy dealer in Camden, about 10 miles out of our way. Then we went on to see Nashville’s Big Pro Bass Store, and this is also REALLY BIG if you’re into hunting, you could buy 20 different seating arrangements for while you are up a tree. It’s kind of like being up a creek without a paddle, you could be up a tree without a seat. Can’t even begin to tell you about the guns for sale here, just the ammo isle would fill a Costco/Sams Box.They had it all there. Checked out the big new hotel that has a river boat running through it and flowering gardens with waterfalls …dare I say it again,…REALLY BIG. Went on to take in some country music at Nashville’s Nightlife Club. Great music and a stand up comedian with his friend puppet “smokey joe”. All of us were crying tears of laughter, he was good, mother would have said a little off colour. A lot of the crowd didn’t quite get it as this was a very blue rinse - no hair - belts to the chest - off the tour buses - group…Dag-nab-it,… you have to stay young at heart if you’re going to travel south. Onwards tomorrow to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

LOOP Report 10/11/2004

October 11, 2004 - Thanksgiving!

Have arrived at Lighthouse Landing Marina in the Kentucky Lakes October 10th.. Getting here has been OK except for finding good anchorage. First night used a lock wall thanks to a lockmaster. The 125 foot cruiser “ Mimi “pulled in behind us with their other boat travelling with them , a 56’ Grand Banks Trawler. Next night we followed a cruiser in between mud banks behind an island out of the way of tows which come by all night long. Picked our way in on a line he gave us missing tree stumps in 1 foot depth below our keel into 9 foot water to anchor, did not move an inch with our 30’ of chain out. Next day down river, much the same, lots of industry, hydro plants using plenty of coal barged to their docks. Also saw our largest tow being 6 wide and 6 long for 36 barges being pushed by one mighty big tug. Went passed the town of Cairo and entered the Ohio River leaving The Grand Mississippi behind. Finally passed the town of Paducah going from The Ohio River into the Tennesee River and onwards to Barkley Dam and Lock. Just in time to lock in with the Delta Queen Paddlewheeler. A lot of people on board in evening attire looking down on us as we slid along side up to the front gates. Sunset on way in and ride up 57 feet and into darkness in the Kentucky Lakes with the paddlewheeler playing their Calliopi. Found a marina slowly by picking our way in with spotlights and much discussion with crew. Will stay a day to shop and have our Thanksgiving dinner at dock. If we don’t pump out the heads/tanks today we surely will need to tomorrow before or next departure. Have seen our first rain in awhile here.

LOOP Report 10/07/2004

October, 6th 2004

Hoppie’s Marina, Imperial, Missouri.

Have carried on to the Alton Marina on the Mississippi river just north of St.Louis, Missouri. Wouldn’t you know it, the river is still very beige and running under our keel at a faster pace. Instead of 10.5 MPH top speed on the lake we are now going down rivers at 13.5 MPH.

Must mention that the fish jump high here and one landed on our back deck while running. Pat insisted we put the poor thing back in the river. Seems this is an invasive Asian Carp. Stories abound of them knocking people out of their fishing boats. We are now believers.

The marina has been the best so far with a covered slip and facilities matching some better hotels. Tried the huge hot tub next to the pool in the evening, rotating coloured lights made it seem very relaxing. The boats here are mostly 36’ and upwards of 60’.Quite a few are here for a break on doing the loop.

One boat we met while tied to a barge a few nights ago was a 34’American Tug cruiser from Duluth which came from top of Lake Superior. They had a run in with some irate fishermen with a boat called “cavemen” accusing them of a large destructive wake and were trying to get them to stop so they could board. The captain apologized and just kept moving on. So we are being keen with binocs along the shore as these events has been known to scam boaters.

While in the Alton Marina we finally put up the mast again as there are no more railway bridge obstacles. We cleared the roof by 2” only after filling the tanks with fresh water. Thought we should have greased the top of the anchor light. Lots of history around Alton,Illinois.

Now under way down the river passing St.Louis and it’s enormous metal (Stainless Steel?) covered arch on the shore dedicated to the city being the gateway to the west. Many pioneers went from here to the wild-west by stage coach and later by rail. Lewis and Clark set off on their expedition from here in 1804. Also this was the home of US President Thomas Jefferson and the arch was built to honour his vision of a Continental United States. But they forgot to create or develop a marina for us on the river shore. Not even a dock to tie up to. Huckleberry Finn would have had to carry on with his raft, guess that’s why he didn’t come this far north.

So Chinook went right on past down river to our next port of call “Hoppies Marina”. It was on the RDB or Right Descending Bank. Arrived to find a couple of old barges and a fuelling station and as we approached noticed our port instruments dropped to zero. We landed and shut down all systems ,…but…holly cow!…port engine is still on and no way to shut it off. Cruisers in front, Cruisers behind,…smoke…everyone watching,..some neighbourly advice that didn’t work,… went into the basement (bilge-engines room) and looked at the electronics package on top of engine and found inside a loose connection. Put it back on and the engine would now turn off with the key and all instruments came back on. This was an another test and we passed once again. This area of the river has been 37 to 50 feet higher during flooding in July, August, and September. That’s why everything is on floating barges. Booked in for a few days, as we are awaiting Susan to fly back to St.Louis and join our expedition again. In the meantime have rented a car and are being camera tourists in a rental car. Hope the river doesn’t rise while we are in Town. They guarantee not in October. Must say this river could use some more water, it’s at it’s lowest ever, as we have seen many town and marina docks up on shore. At Tall Timbers Marina in Havana, Illinois we touched the silt bottom going in but had plenty once in at the dock. It’s kind of tense when a depth sounder reads –0.5.in silt or mud. Kind of slid into the hole in the wall there while running in neutral.

In St.Louis we went to see the Arch tower from ground level and also saw the Union Train Station which has been transformed into a shopping mall and hotel. They did a great job of saving an old train station and it’s history was also included in the architectural package.

Have gone to the Library of History and Research on the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympics (Forest Park) This would have been a great place to visit then as the Fair was enormous and full of wondrous new ideas such as electricity. We found new information on my mother’s father and my grandfather and the place he lived with his father and mother and family in Missouri before immigrating to Nanaimo, British Columbia, called “Grape Grove, Ray County, Missouri”. This gives some new leads on ancestors before 1880. They came from Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. I mentioned to a research librarian that I had heard they lived near a town where Jessie James once traveled through while being hunted. He said that would be Ray County, and he went to the 1880 US Census for Ray County and the family was registered.

A Lucky Break for family genealogy!

Upon getting back to Hoppie”s Marina we find the marina filled with more large boats headed south, some we met back in Alton. Everyone standing on the deck comparing notes on what to do for the next couple of days down river. Hoppi and wife Fern know it all and hold sessions for everyone who wants to know the latest conditions. This they do from their armchairs on the deck of the barges. Apparently for over 30 years.

Our next part of the trip is pretty much without anywhere to get service so will be on anchor or tied to lock walls. We carry a lot of diesel and water so no problem. Once we get to the Kentucky lakes it supposedly really gets special for it’s pretty shores.

Ted, Pat, David, Susan

LOOP Report 09/28/2004

Tuesday, Sept.28, 2004

Ottawa, Illinois, USA (yes, the name of the town is correct)
Golly Gee Whizikers, staying at “The 4 Star Marina” in Ottawa, it’s up a crick with half a foot under our keel. And it has taken some 2-days from Chicago and has been exhilerating, breath-taking and downright stressful, to understand you need to sit behind a humoungus tug docking a barge load the size of a lacross field. This is a major 1-hr exercise in boat handling for everyone. But,.. back up canal to Chicago… Arrived by car Thursday thanks to Hertz and found our boat with David and Sue ready to bust out for the locks and down river. But first did a tour of Navy wharf (Coney Island, Wonderland and large sized tourists). Went for dinner on the advice of good friend Martin to Shaw’s Crab House. Dinner was a treat as we were expecting just a simple seafood dinner. Forget that!! Martin knows his high end gourmet stuff and I mean stuffed. A great place, but rich food.

Back to the boat, for adventure next day. But need to tell you a niffty other story about getting through USA Customs Border Protection before carrying on. Pat had a medical test (Ultrasound) 5:30 PM on Wed. and when arriving at the border at midnight the officer asked who had just been to the hospital? They asked us very politely to drive the car through a special gateway. Then asked pat to go to the office and that I should drive through the gate again. Then I was asked to leave the car and also go to the office. Turns out pat was radioactive and glowing from the injection and they had a gieger device at the entrance. Made their day and gave us a little penetrating thrill unexpectedly.

So now we are on the river and moving nicely straight through the city “spectacular”…and on through big locks, drops of 40’ and 30’. Some very industrial sections with many coal fired electrical plants and other cement, gravel, scrap and rail yards. Once out of that area the river is tree lined and gets wider as we go. The water is a nice beige colour, Chicago Sanitary Canal might have some bearing on that. Overnight stayed on the wall in Joliet and woke up to a Carp Fishing Derby, these are serious fisherman! Still so hot the bimini is up and the sunglasses are on. Arrived at 4-star marina to find 1/2 foot of water under the keel.Needless to say the water is low in this section. Actually this is rated as –4-star unless you like honky tonk bars, people were arriving at nidnight looking to party. Got away next morning in more bright sunshine and blue sky, this weather is unbelievable, have a feeling we’ll pay for this later somehow. Had to wait 3-hours at Starved Rock lock. Barges had first go into the lock and they squeezeee..ee.e them in 3 abreast, tug and all, sometimes they will break it up into 2 sections - they’re that long, we have seen them pushing as many as 12 barges in front of them. When passing, we always ask their preference as it takes a while, us going at a fast pace of 10 miles an hour and they surging ahead at 6 miles an hour. When they steer around a corner in the river they block it all so we wait behind. Can’t argue with tonnage.Everyone is very kind to us on radio and are meeting friendly locals giving us good advice. Have arrived in Peoria at the IVY yacht and canoe club. Good dock, electricity, water and internet service.Sue has headed back to Alliston/Toronto for meetings by rental car with our new boating friends on the 38’ trawler “Boomer”. We are servicing engines with filters and oil as we have put on more than 100 hours.Will stay another day and then head for St.Louis next, picking up Sue down that direction in one week.Still have blue sky today but heavy winds stirring up the river. Must mention coming into this Marina we registered minus 1/2 foot so suspect soft bottom, this place is shallow! All is well and we are having serious fun !!!!

Ted and Pat and David and Sue.