Chapter 1 - Day 1: Our Adventure Begins

4:20 am
Saturday
September 4, 1999
Day 1

Well it's finally here-ready, or not.

Whatever preparations we were going to make have been done, and whatever we forgot-we'll have to fix, buy, or do without.

It's early. Way too early. (Chuck this is even earlier than in the BVI) I woke up about 3:30 and couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up. The weather channel is on, the coffee is brewing, and I thought I'd get this captain's log started. After that I'll finish the last minute preparations.
Darrell, and Donna Thompson (friends that we have met through boating in the Ottawa area) got on board last night. They will be with us until next Saturday. After storing their stuff, and a quick pizza, Donna and Deb headed out to the store for our first weeks provisions. Deb and I had already put our refreshments on board for the entire 3 week first leg, so if the girls forgot any groceries, we'll still be ok. (I was very involved in the planning of the liquid beverages-definitely an important part of the captains duties)

Today's weather looks to be beautiful. About 90 degrees, no rain, and light winds. Right now it's perfect outside. 66 degrees, and the stars are very bright. Last night is probably the last of the moon we'll see for a while.

Too bad because Sunday, and Tuesday we'll be at anchor, and it's always great to have a big moon over you.

Our plans this morning are to leave about 9:00 am. We would normally leave much sooner but we need to top off the fuel tanks before we head out. There are only a few spots on the IL. river to get diesel fuel, so if I fill up here we can make it to St. Louis.

We have 4 other boats joining us this morning Deb's sisters Ann, and Mooie (nickname for Mary) and their husbands each have their boats. Plus Ann's daughter, and her boyfriend are taking their boat-- along with John and Sue-- other boating friends.
Today, were heading for Hams marina, in Chillicothe, IL. About mile marker 170. (Starved Rock Marina is at the 234 mile marker so we'll be traveling about 64 miles.) We have one lock to go through about 1 mile down river from our marina. The drop is about 20 feet. I hope the wait to get through is not too long. The time can very greatly. Sometimes the gates are open and we pull right in-but we have waited as long as 5 hours to get through.
We'll see.

In response to your comments/questions;
* These engines each take 26 quarts of oil-1 oil filter-and three fuel filters. It took me about 4 hours just to change the two engines, not counting the generator. (5 quarts-1 oil filter-2 fuel filters) I'm supposed to change them every 150 hours.
* Yes we can receive e-mail while we're traveling. Either just click on "reply", or my e-mail address is; bk@prosourcegroup.com
* No I'm not smart for figuring out how to do this when we have just started
a new business. 1--While we're growing it may be the best time because
next year we'll be to busy. 2--I have two great partners who not only
support this, but talked me into buying the boat and doing this now. 3-As I said before who knows what will happen in the future. I'd hate to look back and say "I wish I would of...."
* Steve and Claudia---thanks for the wine and especially the lighthouse, it looks great on the boat.

So with that we're off. There will be a lot of water under this hull, and a lot will happen before we return to this slip again. Most of it good, but I'm also sure there will be a lot of challenges as well.
We'll deal with those as they come.............

BK