4:55 am
Sunday September, 4th
Day 2
Well day 1 was a complete success.
We left the dock about 8:15 and stopped to get fuel. (136 gallons-- $220) The lock to a while to get through. When we got there a southbound double a barge that is 3 wide and 5 long that has o be split in half in order to get in the lock-therefore it takes two locks for it to get through), We got there at 9:15, and didn't get through until 12:30.
The weather was perfect. I mean a 10. 90 degrees, & sunny. Most of the day we cruised at 10 to 11 mph. At times we went faster, but Headquarters (the name of our boat) makes a large wake when we run fast, so when there are a lot of other boats out, I keep it down.
There were 5 of us running together. We got to Hams Harbor Marina about 5 PM. I guess you could call this a marina, although it looks more like a junk yard. This place has tremendous potential, but the owner just doesn't make it work. Great location-great harbor-but uuuugly!
For dinner we took something for the grill, and went over to the dock where the others were docked. They were all together, under a covered slip, so we had a party. Well actually they had a party. I was tired. I got up too early. Sooooo......at about 8:00 while they were hollering and carrying on-I went to bed.
I made my first mistake of the new day already. You see when we run the generator ( which is any time that we are moving) the electricity it creates is not perfect so the electric clocks run fast. Normally we reset them when we dock, to get them back on track, but last night I guess we forgot because this morning laying in bed the red digits on the clock said 5:00, but when I got up and dressed, my watch said 4:30. Oh well I'll get a early start on the day.
This morning looks great. Stars are out, and it's 66 degrees. Forecast is for nice, warm, with a chance of rain latter today, as a cold front passes.
The plan is to head out at first light and travel about 100 miles-or so. We have two locks today, and plan to anchor out along the river tonight.
Hopefully we will make it to about the 50 mile marker or so. Which means we will be 50 miles from the Mississippi.
So that's it for now. It's 5:35, and I need to get a few things done before we fire up the engines.
As they say on the VHF radio
"Headquarters clear----and standing by"
BK
Saturday, September 04, 1999
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
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
Saturday, August 21, 1999
T-Minus 14 Days - Two Weeks Away...
5:00 PM
Saturday 8-21-99
T-14 days
Well it's getting much closer now. We've been chipping away at our "get ready" list, but it seems to be getting bigger instead of smaller. Today was a good day though, because I did the big job. Oil Change, and engine compartment things. (I love it down there) I was just thinking, this engine room is bigger than some boats we've owned!
It's been a long day working on the boat, but now I've just had a shower, and sat down for a well deserved gin and tonic. Deb is moving a little slow today as last night we went to see "The Little River Band" (they were awesome!) and it seems that maybe she had one too many Miller Lites. Her job was to go to the store today, which I might add she did a great job of, and now she is taking a nap. What? We just got a call from Anne (Deb's sister) and they may bring their boat over-6miles- for a "gin and tonic" cruise.
Just another great day on the water.
I wonder what they do all the time on the boat you ask?
* Bob up early, Deb up about 8:00 AM
* Clean, or work on the boat if necessary-a labor of love
* Leave dock about 10 to 12
* Head out to a sand-bar or drop a hook (anchor) somewhere
* Swim-laugh-play-generally have a great time
* Either head back about 6 PM or stay out on the hook all night (We have a generator that will handle everything on board)
* Start all over again
As we go you'll learn more about the boat, but just a few facts-
* 50 ft
* 34,000 lbs.
* 600 gallon of fuel
* 150 gallon of water
* 100 gallon of septic ( which we pump out when we fuel)
* 2 toilets, 2 showers
* Stove, and Micro wave
* 3 TV's, VCR, and a Satellite that will track a TV signal where ever we are, or as we travel
* GPS, Radar, Plotter, and lots of other neat electronics
* 2 queen sized bedrooms & 1 bedroom that has twin beds
* 2-625 HP Detroit engines (1250 HP total)
* 13.5 Kilo watt generator to run things when we're not plugged into a dock somewhere
* Full sized refrigerator in the galley-plus a small one on the bridge
* 3 air conditioners that also provide heat (like a heat pump)
* In short-anything we could ever need (or want)
Enough for now except to respond to all the e-mails and calls:
1. No we didn't win the lottery
2. No I didn't retire, I'm way to young
3. Yes this will be scary, but very exciting as well 4. No I will not be taking off for 6 months to a year, I'll be working all the time, just leaving the boat at different places, and going back to the boat to move it.
5. Yes we are fortunate (I don't believe in luck) 6. The boat should be back at Starved Rock Marina next July, or August at the latest 7. You're right--- this is a dream come true
So-------
It's now 6 PM. The gin and tonic is kicking in, and I'm slowing down. Deb's up, and making herself a Bushwhacker, so it looks like she will be fine.
I've got to end this so we can eat, and go on that evening cruise was I talking about.
I'll write before we leave, or at least within the first few days of out trip.
BK
Saturday 8-21-99
T-14 days
Well it's getting much closer now. We've been chipping away at our "get ready" list, but it seems to be getting bigger instead of smaller. Today was a good day though, because I did the big job. Oil Change, and engine compartment things. (I love it down there) I was just thinking, this engine room is bigger than some boats we've owned!
It's been a long day working on the boat, but now I've just had a shower, and sat down for a well deserved gin and tonic. Deb is moving a little slow today as last night we went to see "The Little River Band" (they were awesome!) and it seems that maybe she had one too many Miller Lites. Her job was to go to the store today, which I might add she did a great job of, and now she is taking a nap. What? We just got a call from Anne (Deb's sister) and they may bring their boat over-6miles- for a "gin and tonic" cruise.
Just another great day on the water.
I wonder what they do all the time on the boat you ask?
* Bob up early, Deb up about 8:00 AM
* Clean, or work on the boat if necessary-a labor of love
* Leave dock about 10 to 12
* Head out to a sand-bar or drop a hook (anchor) somewhere
* Swim-laugh-play-generally have a great time
* Either head back about 6 PM or stay out on the hook all night (We have a generator that will handle everything on board)
* Start all over again
As we go you'll learn more about the boat, but just a few facts-
* 50 ft
* 34,000 lbs.
* 600 gallon of fuel
* 150 gallon of water
* 100 gallon of septic ( which we pump out when we fuel)
* 2 toilets, 2 showers
* Stove, and Micro wave
* 3 TV's, VCR, and a Satellite that will track a TV signal where ever we are, or as we travel
* GPS, Radar, Plotter, and lots of other neat electronics
* 2 queen sized bedrooms & 1 bedroom that has twin beds
* 2-625 HP Detroit engines (1250 HP total)
* 13.5 Kilo watt generator to run things when we're not plugged into a dock somewhere
* Full sized refrigerator in the galley-plus a small one on the bridge
* 3 air conditioners that also provide heat (like a heat pump)
* In short-anything we could ever need (or want)
Enough for now except to respond to all the e-mails and calls:
1. No we didn't win the lottery
2. No I didn't retire, I'm way to young
3. Yes this will be scary, but very exciting as well 4. No I will not be taking off for 6 months to a year, I'll be working all the time, just leaving the boat at different places, and going back to the boat to move it.
5. Yes we are fortunate (I don't believe in luck) 6. The boat should be back at Starved Rock Marina next July, or August at the latest 7. You're right--- this is a dream come true
So-------
It's now 6 PM. The gin and tonic is kicking in, and I'm slowing down. Deb's up, and making herself a Bushwhacker, so it looks like she will be fine.
I've got to end this so we can eat, and go on that evening cruise was I talking about.
I'll write before we leave, or at least within the first few days of out trip.
BK
Saturday, July 17, 1999
T-Minus 49 Days...and Counting
t-minus 49 days
Saturday, July 17, 1999
4:45 am.
Hello all,
(I should explain here that this is going to many different people---and I'll explain why later)
This is the first of what should be several e-mails from Debbie or I concerning our "Great Circle Trip".
What is that you ask?
Well that is the official nautical name for our boat trip which will take us by water over a route from Chicago to Florida, up to New York, across the Eire Canal to Buffalo, across the Great Lakes to Michigan, down to Chicago, and back home again.
As some of you know Deb and I (well more me than Deb) have been talking about this for a few years. My goal was to leave some Labor Day and take a year to make this circle. Our original plan was to do this when we retired, but I wasn't sure when that would be.......... if we would be able to afford it then.............. and the way we were going I was also concerned what type of shape we'd be in. So a little over a year ago we began to plan a way to make this trip while I was still working. We sold our Gibson Houseboat, and bought a "Cruisers Yachts" cruiser (I know it sounds confusing) that will be very comfortable, and safe to make this trip.
We leave on September 4th.
We will make this trip in several legs. The longest time we will be traveling will be three weeks, and the shortest will be one week. We plan on being back in our slip at Starved rock Marina next July sometime. During this year, I will be taking off about 44 days from work, and we will be moving the boat about 77 days. There may also be a time that we will be able to visit the boat in between the times we will be moving it, but right now we don't have this set up yet.
My normal style of writing is to use bullet points so I can cover several thoughts, and not have to worry about tying things together.......... so I might as well get started.
* First of all, as I said earlier, this e-mail is going to several people.
Family, friends, vendors, and even one of my customers (who belongs in the friend category). Keep this in mind as I/we make some of our comments, because they may be directed to someone specific and you won't have a clue what we're talking about. The goal is to keep some of you posted, and to share our journey with others.
* I will try---but I'm not going to worry tooooo much about grammar, or punctuation---more on content, and information.
* We will be traveling over 5000 miles.
* The computer we have on board has a small keyboard, so typing fast, and accurate, can be difficult, so some of the messages may be short, and to the point.
* Once we leave we will be sending e-mails by using a modem hook-up from our on board cellular phone. This is slow, because of the modem speed, but it works great----if----we have a strong cellular signal. Because we will be traveling in many remote areas this signal is sometimes non-existent so although we may write an e-mail on a certain day we may not be able to send it. So, you may get several days e-mails together, because we finally found a good signal.
* Our plan is to try to write something each day we are traveling. It will keep you posted on our travels, and make for a good diary once we're finished.
* We are using a master list to send this e-mail. If you'd rather not be on this list let me know. Or when you see an e-mail with a subject of "GCT"
(great circle trip) just hit delete! Or.......if you know someone who we should send this to let us know.
As I said our first leg begins on Sept. 4th. The first week we will leave Starved Rock Marina and head south--down the IL. River-past St. Louis, & down the Mississippi to Cairo, IL.-up the Ohio-up the Cumberland to Paduca, Ky.-and then up the Tennessee to Iuka, Ms. The total trip is about 700 miles, and we should arrive at Aqua Marine, in Iuka, on Friday Sept. 11th.
Daryl and Donna Thompson will be joining us for that week.
The next week Daryl and Donna will fly home, and Steve Thoke (my business
partner) and his wife to be Chris Van Allen will fly to Memphis meet us at Aqua Marine. We will then take a week to travel 450 miles down the Tom-Bigbee to Mobile, Al.
The third week Debbie's two sisters, and their husbands will join us in Mobile, and we will cross the Gulf to Tampa, where we will leave the boat for the winter.
After Christmas we will move the boat from the West Coast of Florida to the East Coast. Then in the spring (late April-early May) we'll start north and our plan is to stop in Richmond, Va. for a while. We are building a new distribution center there for Perdue (the chicken company) and I will be spending a lot of my time there. From there to New York, home for a few weeks, then probably take three weeks from New York to Starved Rock.
We have a lot to do to get prepared for our journey. Cruising guides, charts, manuals, oil changes, engine checks, spare parts. All the fun things! We spent a week on our new boat recently, so we have a feel for what we'll need. Just as important is what we can take off the boat. We have been working hard on this one. We realize we don't need all this stuff on board.
So that's it for now. As I said this is just a note to tell you more notes are coming. If you have any questions drop us a note, we'd love to hear from you. As you can see the e-mail address is mine (Bob) at work, but I'll forward any comments to Deb at home if you send them. That is until we leave, at which time Deb will be with me, so I won't have to tell her then because..................you know!
BK
Saturday, July 17, 1999
4:45 am.
Hello all,
(I should explain here that this is going to many different people---and I'll explain why later)
This is the first of what should be several e-mails from Debbie or I concerning our "Great Circle Trip".
What is that you ask?
Well that is the official nautical name for our boat trip which will take us by water over a route from Chicago to Florida, up to New York, across the Eire Canal to Buffalo, across the Great Lakes to Michigan, down to Chicago, and back home again.
As some of you know Deb and I (well more me than Deb) have been talking about this for a few years. My goal was to leave some Labor Day and take a year to make this circle. Our original plan was to do this when we retired, but I wasn't sure when that would be.......... if we would be able to afford it then.............. and the way we were going I was also concerned what type of shape we'd be in. So a little over a year ago we began to plan a way to make this trip while I was still working. We sold our Gibson Houseboat, and bought a "Cruisers Yachts" cruiser (I know it sounds confusing) that will be very comfortable, and safe to make this trip.
We leave on September 4th.
We will make this trip in several legs. The longest time we will be traveling will be three weeks, and the shortest will be one week. We plan on being back in our slip at Starved rock Marina next July sometime. During this year, I will be taking off about 44 days from work, and we will be moving the boat about 77 days. There may also be a time that we will be able to visit the boat in between the times we will be moving it, but right now we don't have this set up yet.
My normal style of writing is to use bullet points so I can cover several thoughts, and not have to worry about tying things together.......... so I might as well get started.
* First of all, as I said earlier, this e-mail is going to several people.
Family, friends, vendors, and even one of my customers (who belongs in the friend category). Keep this in mind as I/we make some of our comments, because they may be directed to someone specific and you won't have a clue what we're talking about. The goal is to keep some of you posted, and to share our journey with others.
* I will try---but I'm not going to worry tooooo much about grammar, or punctuation---more on content, and information.
* We will be traveling over 5000 miles.
* The computer we have on board has a small keyboard, so typing fast, and accurate, can be difficult, so some of the messages may be short, and to the point.
* Once we leave we will be sending e-mails by using a modem hook-up from our on board cellular phone. This is slow, because of the modem speed, but it works great----if----we have a strong cellular signal. Because we will be traveling in many remote areas this signal is sometimes non-existent so although we may write an e-mail on a certain day we may not be able to send it. So, you may get several days e-mails together, because we finally found a good signal.
* Our plan is to try to write something each day we are traveling. It will keep you posted on our travels, and make for a good diary once we're finished.
* We are using a master list to send this e-mail. If you'd rather not be on this list let me know. Or when you see an e-mail with a subject of "GCT"
(great circle trip) just hit delete! Or.......if you know someone who we should send this to let us know.
As I said our first leg begins on Sept. 4th. The first week we will leave Starved Rock Marina and head south--down the IL. River-past St. Louis, & down the Mississippi to Cairo, IL.-up the Ohio-up the Cumberland to Paduca, Ky.-and then up the Tennessee to Iuka, Ms. The total trip is about 700 miles, and we should arrive at Aqua Marine, in Iuka, on Friday Sept. 11th.
Daryl and Donna Thompson will be joining us for that week.
The next week Daryl and Donna will fly home, and Steve Thoke (my business
partner) and his wife to be Chris Van Allen will fly to Memphis meet us at Aqua Marine. We will then take a week to travel 450 miles down the Tom-Bigbee to Mobile, Al.
The third week Debbie's two sisters, and their husbands will join us in Mobile, and we will cross the Gulf to Tampa, where we will leave the boat for the winter.
After Christmas we will move the boat from the West Coast of Florida to the East Coast. Then in the spring (late April-early May) we'll start north and our plan is to stop in Richmond, Va. for a while. We are building a new distribution center there for Perdue (the chicken company) and I will be spending a lot of my time there. From there to New York, home for a few weeks, then probably take three weeks from New York to Starved Rock.
We have a lot to do to get prepared for our journey. Cruising guides, charts, manuals, oil changes, engine checks, spare parts. All the fun things! We spent a week on our new boat recently, so we have a feel for what we'll need. Just as important is what we can take off the boat. We have been working hard on this one. We realize we don't need all this stuff on board.
So that's it for now. As I said this is just a note to tell you more notes are coming. If you have any questions drop us a note, we'd love to hear from you. As you can see the e-mail address is mine (Bob) at work, but I'll forward any comments to Deb at home if you send them. That is until we leave, at which time Deb will be with me, so I won't have to tell her then because..................you know!
BK
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