The Captain said it looked like some weather and lightening was moving in so we delayed our departure. At 9 am a very bad storm hit us with high winds, heavy rains and lots of lightening. Visibility on the river was down to just about nil. It was certainly a wise choice staying in the marina.

Our propane detector has been going off recently. This morning it kept going off. We smelled no propane. The captain read the tank 135 psi. Sixty minutes later it had dropped 25 psi. He does not think it is a propane leak, perhaps hydrogen from the batteries or a faulty detector. We’ll study it. We had the propane shut off at the tank and the switch, and then turned the detector back on. We had no alarms through Friday. Even with cooking on Friday, there were no alarms, although he did have a fan blowing up toward the galley, not down as had been previously done.

1030 The storm was over. Lines off and left Keokuk Yacht Club. Waited about 20 minutes for Lock 19. This was our first lock with floating bollards with the Camano. We had gone through many of them with the pontoon. We set out lines on amidships cleats on both port and starboard. We came in for a port tie-off. It was hard to back to port so we tried for the next bollard. The mate can stand by the corner cabin window and loop the two counter clockwise loops over the bollard, then loop the line back at the cleat. We were able to hold the boat fairly straight and away from the wall most of the time. We need a 4th fender near the curve of the bow for protection as we approach the bollard. Then need the other three along the straight edge.

3700 rpm 17.9 mph

1150 Passed the confluence of the Des Moines with the Mississippi. End of Iowa and into Missouri.

Lock 20 11/2 hour wait for a 11/2’ drop. We floated it. It started to sprinkle about the time for us to lock through. Then rained as we motored in. Thank goodness we floated. It kept the mate dry!

Lock 21 waited 2 hours 31/2’ drop Floated through with the runabout we saw at Keokuk Yacht Club. They stopped there for fuel.

Mm 321 anchored on the downstream side of Fabius Island. This was a little chute with less current. A great anchorage, we set two anchors and god good bites with them. Showers were exquisite. Steak for supper. The nymph peeked out!

mm 366.9 40 miles today

Saw a doe and her fawn across the small channel at our anchorage. Having a nice relaxing morning when a tow slowly rumbled by heading downstream. The captain waffled -- wait here 'til 1130 or try to beat it to the next lock 10 miles away. We chose to go. Leaving quickly, the mate did not do her usual checks. You can straighten up down here after we get underway," the Captain suggested.

0820 We pulled anchors, the mate washed the lines, then went in the cabin to finish her chores. She shut off the anchor wash down pump switch on the main breaker panel. Then opened the engine compartment (the door is on the floor of the cabin by the helm chair.) The shut off valve for the pump is in the hold on the bulkhead wall under the steps to the galley and directly forward of the engine and the unprotected spinning belts. As she stepped over the open hatch to the galley steps, a towel on the helm chair slipped off into the hold and landed next to the engine. Fortunately, it did not get caught in the belts. Concerned the towel might slip into the engine, she carefully reached down and pulled it out, not wanting her body parts to get caught in the s pinning belts either. With the major crisis averted, she closed the pump valve, lowered the hatch cover and took several deep breaths in relief!

The mate then cleared the dinette table and gathered water jugs, camera, phone, and log book to take to the fly bridge. On a lark, she thought to fix the bed now instead of later. Climbing into the v-berth, she noticed the sidelights were still open. "Oh, no!" They are positioned quite low on the bow and water can easily come in if they are open. They must be latched while underway. Water had come in and splashed on the curtains and the area around the opening was damp as well. It could have been a disaster for shortly after this, the Captain brought up the engine up to top speed to catch and pass the tow. A lot of muddy river water would have splashed inside. A serious catastrophe averted.

Lessons of the morning:

1. Clear the helm chair and dinette of anything that could slip into the hold before opening the hatches.

2. No matter how rusher we are, remember to latch the cabin sidelights before getting underway.

Lock 22 We did beat the tow. It took us about 7 miles to catch and pass him. Floated through. 3 1/2’ drop. No wind. The Captain played with the bow thrusters and rudder.

Passed Hannibal, MO, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn’s stomping ground. Read the log from the ’97 trip and our stops in town. The marina is closed this season for rebuilding. Only two boats were inside.

Passed "Gift Island" where we stayed 2 nights in ‘97. The water is up, so there was no beach. Sometimes it’s tough to go back to the past. It’s not quite the same. Perhaps not as pretty, or massive, or great tasting, or pleasing. Enjoy the moment as it is. Create new memories and new adventures.

Mm 289 1130 pictures of wing dams.

1230 Two Rivers Marine mm 283. Took a slip for the night, got fuel and a pump out, bought new dock lines, a mop head, and a shackle for the anchor buoy. We used the courtesy car to go to Louisiana, MO for groceries.

Just after we returned from our showers, Pam and Steve from PIER PLEASURE invited us to join their group for a night cruise, his first. We hopped aboard their 36’ Gibson houseboat and had a delightful cruise, a slow putter up and down the local shoreline enjoying the lights reflecting on the water. Jim and Doris Mattchen from THE LAST ONE came along. They are from Decatur, Ill and know Gene’s cousin. They have a condo in North Fort Myers near Woody’s. Pam and Steve visited them there. We may see them this winter when they come down.

Greg called in the afternoon. Bob’s not having a good day, lots of bleeding and pain. Tried calling at 8:30 PM, no answer.

Mm 283 39 miles today

Left the marina at 0753 after pumping out a second time. The valve was not quite right the first time.

Lock 24 no waiting. Floated solo. ~8’ drop.

Lock 25 thought there was no waiting, gave a 15 minute notice, then waited 15 more minutes. Floated solo. Only two more locks left on the Mississippi.

1345 approaching Portage des Sioux near St. Charles and St. Louis, MO. There are sandbars with lots of boats beached. Heavy boat traffic here. More logs in the river. Deeply cut, beautiful limestone bluffs on the Illinois side. Choppy water, cool and windy.

Mm 217.9 at 2:17 (1417) The start of the Great Circle.

The confluence of the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers at Grafton, IL. We have now begun the Great Loop. We Be Loopers! Pictures of Grafton and the IL River, the red/green nun marking the confluence, the bluffs looking downstream

Mm 212.4 1450 Motored close to Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine as I took pictures of the statue. As I gazed at the 50’ high Madonna standing on a 17’ pedestal it was a prayerful moment for me. I sought her intercession for the WE BE BLEST in all her voyages, praying for safe passages for her crew and passengers, for wisdom for the Captain in all his decisions, for protection in storms. I asked that we continue to bring the Lord’s blessings to all those we meet along the waterways.

This is the area where most of the St. Louis pleasure boats are docked in this area on the north side, near St. Charles and Portage des Sioux, MO.

1530 Stayed in Alton Marina, a 5 anchor rating. Very nice, with a beautiful view of the Alton Bridge all lit up at night. We spent quite a bit of time talking with Terry and Connie and showing them our boat. He’s been following the Camanos for a couple years, and was thrilled to actually see one in person. They are deciding when to retire and what to do during retirement.

Mm 202.9 81 miles today

Lines off 0832. Called down to Lock 26. The lock master indicated he would be ready in about 30 minutes after he flushed the debris out of the lock. We floated it solo. This was the first lock on our Great Circle Tour. There was still a lot of floating debris in the lock and much more just outside it. The captain drove through it like on an obstacle course.

194 The Chain of Rocks Canal. Speed just above 10.6 at the mouth of the Missouri River. In the canal, 8.3 mph at 20000 rpm. Created a speed/rpm check and chart.

1039 lock 27 the last one on the Mississippi. Just a short wait and we floated this one as well. This lock had the upstream gates come up from below and raise up. We were in the long, 1200’ lock this time. There was much less excitement than 7 years ago on the pontoon locking through with the huge line boat, the PENNY ECKSTEIN.

1045 out of the Chain of Rocks Canal and our first view of the St. Louis Arch. We’ve seen very little barge traffic.

Pix of the Arch and paddle wheeler. Saw a coast guard boat, Army Corps barge boat carrying lock gate parts. There was some kind of festival on the abandoned Chain of Rocks Bridge, and a festival at the waterfront by the Arch.

Below the Arch, it is very industrial, barges are tied up along shore and even stacked

and moored in the channel. A dozen or more line boats sit idle along shore.

1130 13.5 mph at 2300 rpm. This is a swift current. We have the river totally to ourselves. Here we are near a city of 2.5 million people and the river is ours alone.

Mm 147 1400 picture of the bluffs and a tow 5 wide by 6 long.

Mm 135 The water calms down, then another 5x6 tow comes by and we have 3’ swells to go through and choppy water for a couple miles. The water calms again and soon another tow approaches.

131.4 The river widens and the bluffs are gone.

130 Just before we hit this turbulent area, our speed increased to 14 mph. We were warned of this spot seven years ago by the Army Corps. It’s still turbulent.

Mm 118 The confluence of the Kaskaskia with the Mississippi. There is a floating lock wall we can tie off to for the night. 802 miles total thus far.

The Captain was beat, very tired. After the last lock, the free-running river bounces the boat around and he was often adjusting the steering. Plus, the constant vigilance on the river watching out for logs and other debris was tiring. He cashed in early tonight.

Mm 118 85 miles today

Lines off 0630 65 degrees, cool but dry, cloudy, much better without the rain

Smooth water, occasional 5x6 tow. This still riles up the water for over two miles.

0823 mm 95 no extra turbulence noted

Mm 93.5 54’ deep hole, boiling, speed increased just upstream of this area. This turbulence evidently moved downstream.

Another day with no boats, few tows, not a sportsmen area. Fairly even channel with bends as it meanders. The mate spelled the Captain at the helm for about and hour or so.

Mm 85 turbulence moved to mm 83. Both spots moved downstream in seven years.

1100 called Kidd River City Fuel. Charlie Brown can’t be there for 2-3 hours. Should have called early in the morning. Do so next time.

1145 tied up at his fuel dock in Cape Girardeau. Called Kidd River Fuel. He’ll be there in an hour or more.

Went to the visitor’s center to use their phone. Back to the boat and saw another boat 19th HOLE waiting in the channel. We began to make room for them on the dock when Charlie Brown pulled up and said he’ll do one boat at a time. Fueled up and headed out. 19th HOLE then fueled and in the meantime a large houseboat pulled up as well. Charlie had a three-fer!

19th HOLE passed us, a cruiser from the east coast of Florida. They are completing the Great Loop and will be anchoring near Cairo tonight. We may see them there.

1300 the sun came our. Warm, pleasant temps. We were able to take off our windbreakers and chamois shirts.

1600 mm 21 Dogtooth Bend. Heading north going downstream. This would be a good bet to try on someone. Very muddy river, all riled up from the tows and boils. Took pictures of the boils and diamonds. Also diamonds with the tow DENNIS ROSS.

1715 anchored at mm 8 in a slough upstream of the interstate bridge at Cairo. This is a nice bay, no current and our own waterfall all across the small channel. This is our last night on the Mississippi. The Captain is not too unhappy about that!

The Captain’s reflections on the upper Mississippi: it hasn’t changed much in seven years. I think from Dubuque up has lost some of its attraction probably because of familiarity -- being on it 8-10 times. The lower part of this Upper Section is prettier than I had remembered from Clinton to St. Louis with the multitude of islands and pools. St. Louis and down just prepares you for the peacefulness of the Ohio.

Mm 8 111 miles today 915 total miles

0640 Anchor up. The waterfall this morning was hazy and there was a heron standing on the rocks about in the middle of it. Took a picture.

Right after we motored back into the channel from our anchorage, the Captain noticed the engine temp was increasing from our normal 150 to 175 and rising. We pulled off the channel to prepare to anchor so he could investigate the problem, when the Captain suddenly remembered he pulled a "Bob Dunham." Yesterday he had shut the sea water cock to the engine when he cleaned the sea water strainer and forgot to open it again. OPPS! This engine is cooled with sea water! The mate took the helm while the Captain hurried below to open the water valve. Disaster averted. He will be changing the sea water impeller soon.

Mm 1.5 The last anchorage on the Mississippi looks like a good one. Can stay in it next year. 19th HOLE was anchored there.

0723 turned the bend from Big Muddy to the Ohio River. Good bye 12.0 mph. Hello 7.0 mph.

Hello Bob Conroy, our good Samaritan when we made the pontoon trip in ‘97.

Cairo has a big fleeting area with hundreds of barges tied together and waiting. One grouping was 10 barges wide by 7 barges long.

Pix of Olmstead Lick Construction. Completion now had been moved back to 2001 from 2007.

Pix of diamonds on the Ohio.

1200 A small butterfly flew aboard , landed, flew and landed several times. I immediately thought of Marsha and Bob. Was Maxine asking us to pray for them? I did, fervently.

1215 RR bridge at Metropolis. A coal train crossing the bridge looks like a toy train, crossing so very slowly, about 5 mph. It’s longer than the bridge, about 1 mile long.

Lock 52 No waiting. A slow lockage in the auxiliary lock. We were told to have 30’ of lines ready on the bow and the stern. We threw the two 30’ lines to the lockmaster and they were secured around the big mooring posts. The was the first time we gave lines.

1410 The Tennessee and Ohio confluence at Paducah. Left the Ohio and on to the Tennessee. Three rivers today! We’ll try Kentucky Lock -- new water! Very industrial near Paducah. Lots of barges. Along the Tennessee River, we’ve seen barge and line boat repair facilities, a barge cover manufacturing plant, and a barge painting operation. Pix of the painting operation with a barge about ready to be launched.

Mm 22.4 Kentucky Lock arrived 5 PM. 1 ½ hour wait. Cleared the lock at 7:30 PM. Smooth lockage with bollards. Very slow, over ½ hour to lock up 52 feet. Kentucky Lake pool 357.8’ -- 1.2’ low.

Anchored in a bay on Kentucky Lake just downstream of the canal to Barkley Lake. A great spot. 5’ deep, solid anchor. The night sounds began anew. The nymph found the WE BE BLEST again!

NOTE: to do a four river day, come through the canal to the Cumberland, then back to the small bay on the NE end of the canal for the night. Or motor into the Tennessee, then take the Cumberland through Barkley Lock.

mm 25 Tennessee River 79 miles today.

0755 Anchor up. Motored through the Canal to Barkley Lake into Green Turtle Marina. Filled with diesel, ordered Racors, impeller, bought the Cumberland River charts and the Cruising Guide by Fred Myers.

1110 We’ve traveled 1012 miles.

St. Croix River 22.4 miles 3 hours no locks

Mississippi River 811 miles 27 days 25 locks, floated 8 locks

One minor chip to the dink

One major mishap -- mates broken window

Captain’s opps -- sea cock water intake closed on last morning

Ohio River 46 miles 6 1/2 hours 1 lock

Tennessee River 25.4 miles 6 hours 1 lock

Barkley Lake is quite scenic with coves, bays, limestone bluffs and a few islands. It borders the Land Between The Lakes and is not as wide as Kentucky Lake. We worked at learning how to read the crossing and passing daymarks on the charts and on the river itself.

Mm 81 The river narrows and we lose the lake. there are bluffs on the RDB, tree covered islands on LDB.

Mm 87.7 1745 Anchored in a bay in Fred Myers Cruising Guide. Did not go as far in as he suggested. Took a small bay at port near the first set of buoys. Put out the bow and stern anchor. Daron called so we let him know we are two days a way. The Captain lost his bobber so her went out in the kink to retrieve it. After returning, we both explored the bay in the dink. The Captain grilled pork loin chops and we enjoyed supper on the flybridge. It cooled off nicely for sleeping. The mater tied the v-berth screens with fish line and secured it to the inside wall. They seemed to be loose at the top. Did not want to lose them. This is a nice anchorage. Saw a squirrel and later three coons searching the shoreline for food.

mm87.7 59 miles today.

After the Cumberland River passes through Barkley Lock and Dam, it forms Barkley Lake which is quite scenic with coves, bays, limestone bluffs and a few islands. It borders the Land Between The Lakes (the LBL) and is not as wide as Kentucky Lake which is on the western side of the LBL. Traveling upstream toward Nashville to see Daron and Kayla, we worked at learning how to read the crossing and passing daymarks on the charts and on the river itself.

Thursday July 29

0659 anchor up. The Captain pulled the stern anchor earlier and we began to swing up the bay into shallow water, so we pulled the bow anchor up earlier than anticipated and set out for the day.

Pix of eagle flying, and in a tree and a heron.

The Mate piloted the WE BE BLEST until 1130. Twice tows passed us going downstream and we motored through heavy patches of debris, the Mate expertly maneuvering around and through it. We were unsure where the debris came from, although it appears to travel in bunches. The mate thought the tow’s waves washed it from shore. After the second it did appear to be the reason.

1430 called Cheatham Lock. 2 hour wait. As we approached, one boat called and said they’ve been waiting since 1130. That doesn’t sound promising!

A tow came up and tied to the lock wall, ready to lock up after the pleasure boats. We dropped anchor, after an hour a bass boar came up and appeared to have motor trouble. We pulled anchor, but they were OK. So then we tried to tie off to one of the big concrete mooring cells for the barges. One boat tied it, but backed away. The Captain pulled up slowly, and the mater was successfully able to run the 50’ line through a large 12’ diameter mooring ring and secure it to the WE BE BLEST. Hurrah! But as the current pulled us downstream of the cell to the end of our line, an eddy began to pull the WE BE BLEST III back up to the cell -- not good! So we untied and idled around the lock approach with the other four boats.

2 mph current downstream here. 1645 gates open, 45 min to lock up. 1730 on our way again. Had the engine off in the lock and eddies and turbulence must have cleaned the engine intake strainer that was put on (on the outside of the hull) at Sunnyside Marina. The engine temp dropped back to where it was when we started.

Mm 153.0 Cumberland River Harpeth River Motored up about 1 mile. Beautiful bluffs, nice anchorage. 10’ deep, used bow and stern anchors.

Mm 153 67 miles today.

0635 anchor up. The Mate was at the helm getting the feel of slow handling while the Captain pulled the anchors. Mate at the helm until 1100, just before we came to Nashville when the Captain took over so the Mate could photograph downtown Nashville.

We were speculating whether or not the WE BE BLEST III was the first Camano to go past Nashville.

The downtown dock had the three boats that locked through Cheatham Lock with us yesterday. All the spots were reserved, so we’re heading to Old Hickory Yacht Club on Old Hickory Lake. It will be only about 5 miles from Kayla and Daron’s.

Carol Tushick called and will FEDEX the Camano info to Kentucky Dam Marina.

216.2 Old Hickory Lock. Wait 1 hour, 20 minutes to lock up. Windy, choppy on the lake.

1415 Old Hickory Yacht Club took a slip. Was able to get electricity. $25/day. Hot off and on today. Spilling water at the dam. Downstream current ~3 mph. 2500 rpm ~6.3 mph.

Mm 220 67 miles today

Called Daron. We saw them every day while in Nashville. Saturday did land stuff, mainly shopping, Catfish House for supper. Sunday Daron and Kayla came to church with us, then on the lake all day. Swam in a bay near the lock. Washed the boat wearing Kayla’s fins. They really helped They did donuts with the dink. My does it look small with two people in it. A hot day but fun.

Monday Daron took the day off. We shopped some more, got fins like Kayla’s. That evening we went to the water aerobics class that Kayla taught at the Y. It was a great workout! Tuesday worked on the boat during the day, cooked supper to take to the kids’. Bob is getting worse. Heading to California. Made reservations with SW Airlines. We will fly there on Thursday. Leaving the WE BE BLEST III here at the marina for $250 a month and our $100 paid for 4 days will be part of the payment.

Wednesday, talked with Marsha and we should wait to come later. They are planning a Celebration of Life on September. 4th. So we canceled our reservations and SW gave us our money back. We worked on the boat during the day, got provisions after Daron picked us up and enjoyed our last evening with the two of them.

We had a great visit with Daron and Kayla. We shopped, boated, worked out in Kayla’s water aerobics class she taught at the YMCA, and hung out together. We’re so impressed with their dedication and preparation for the Great Floridian Ironman on October 23. They have had their work out schedule prepared for four months before the event with various combinations of swim-bike-run from 5:30 am before work to 8 PM after work.

At this marina we met Bill and Bonnie Cook. They have been live-aboards for 5 years on their 40’ Cheoy Lee Cruiser. He works part time at West Marine wherever they stay for awhile. He gave us his list of marinas and anchorages from parts of the great circle trip. They have not done the whole loop as yet.

Up early in the morning and got ready to take off. Because of all the spiders we had to give the boat a thorough washing. We decided we really did not like all the spiders at Old Hickory Yacht Club ... "Yacht club it is not," to quote Jim the manager. The covered slips had been empty for several years and just recently purchased and opened up by the Yacht Club this past fall. So the spiders had really taken over. Every day the boat was covered with black droppings. They would wash off but some left stains. Hopefully my Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean will get them off. We’re glad we did not have to leave the WE BE BLEST III there when we’d fly to California.

By 0925 we had the boat looking bright and shiny once again and left Nashville.

Old Hickory Lock -- no waiting, a fast trip down.

Right below the dam we experienced a 3 mph boost from the current. Farther downstream though, the boost reduced to 1 ½ mph.

The mate wanted to stop at the downtown dock and walk on the Shelby Ave. Bridge to take a Pix of the WE BE BLEST III with the downtown buildings in the background. It was rainy plus we left later so we needed to more to get to Harpeth River anchorage by 5 PM. Next year, with the circle tour, we’ll do it.

1300 Motored through a tremendous amount of trash, debris and logs in the water downstream of downtown Nashville. Probably from all the rain the last day or so. Storms moved through last night and we had lots of rain and lightening. Today is cloudy and misty. We were at the lower helm for awhile.

1346 Back on the fly bridge. Still cloudy, although the sun is trying to come out. Misty hills are ahead. They are very beautiful. The Cumberland is a very scenic river with the rock, bluffs and rolling hills. It’s also narrow which adds to the beauty.

1650 Mm 153 Harpeth River anchorage. We now have an extra 30’ of chain. We set out only one anchor. It did not get as solid a bite as before, but the one anchor held us all night.

Took the dink to explore upstream. The river was very muddy and lots of debris was washing down from the rains. The bluffs were spectacular. We even saw an arch in them. Wild turkeys came close to the water’s edge.

The Captain sprayed the entire boat this evening trying to bear off the spider population. We were beat from washing the boat in the morning, so the Captain hit the sack around 8 and the Mate followed just after 9.

Mm 153 68 miles

Anchor up 0800. Very muddy water, still lots of debris. The underside of the biminis had lots of condensation. Dead spiders were all around the bikes and front windshield. YES! A dead spider is a good spider!

Cheatham Lock -- no waiting. Going down is much easier. With bollards, we can keep the boat farther from the wall. But she needs to be cinched close going upstream because of all the turbulence.

This was a very pleasant day today. Cool in the AM, conformable in the afternoon. High 70’s. The mate began studying the Piloting course -- did 2 chapters.

Mm 87.7 1600 Back to the anchorage by Ft. Donelson Park

65 miles today

Anchor up 0900. Motored back down the Cumberland into Barkley Lake. Today is the weekend and our "private" river was invaded with numerous bass boats, pontoons, jet skis, cruisers, houseboats, and an occasional trawler. It was time for the weekend fun in the sun for those who still pursue that four letter word: WORK. The day started cool but ended up warm.

0530 Pulled into Green Turtle Bay in Grand Rivers, Ky and took a slip for the night. Rode our bikes to town, trying to keep our legs limber. Tomorrow we’ll head across the Canal into Kentucky Lake and meet our friends, Dan and Ann Venters at Kentucky Dam Village Resort State Park and Marina. How’s that for a name! They will be camping in the park and we’ll take a slip in the marina. Time to test the boat washing/rain theory. Wonder if the area needs rain tomorrow!

We enjoyed or visit with the Venters, boating on Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake. However, as news of my brother’s condition seemed to worsen, we decided to fly out on Wednesday. Fortunately we did, for he died the morning after we arrived.

What a roller coaster ride this week has been. We experienced both highs and lows as we prepared the memorial service and celebrated Bob’s life. Many tears were shed along with laughter as we heard story after story about Bob. Time with family and friends is precious and supports us in our joys and sorrows.

Thank you so much for the outpouring of care, concern, love and prayers when Bob passed away and for our personal safety and our home's safety during Hurricane Charley. About 150 homes in our community had extensive damage, another 300 had "minor damage" - relatively speaking. The remaining 350 homes, including ours, were virtually untouched.

Unlike parks north of us, here no home was leveled, no one was hurt. Not even those few crazy enough to stay here during the storm to watch lanais, carports, and roofs fly by, and even crash into their windows. A friend there asked one 90 year old "why," he said he was just curious. When asked if he'd do it again he said, "No, once was enough"!

We will be heading back to the boat on Sunday, August 22 and continuing on with the trip.

Look for a story I wrote for Bob several weeks before he died. I read it at his memorial service in California. It's Called DIAMONDS ON BIG MUDDY.

DIAMONDS ON BIG MUDDY

                                         For my brother BOB

                                                        July 27, 2004

The mighty Mississippi River flows from Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Army Corps of Engineers maintains the Upper and Lower Mississippi keeping a minimum nine-foot deep channel for the commercial traffic.  Barges, thirty-three feet wide by one hundred ninety feet long, haul enormous amounts of coal, ore, grain, sand, and gravel.  Lashed together, they form tows.  Massive, powerful line boats, also known as towboats or pushers, move the tows up and down the river.

            The navigable upper Mississippi begins in the Minneapolis, MN area at mile marker 857.8 and ends at the mouth of the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois, mile marker zero -- 857.8 river miles downstream.  (River mile markers are like interstate mile markers.)  This upper section includes twenty-seven locks, which the Army Corps operates to lower boats a total of four hundred twenty feet from pool to pool in a stair step fashion.  The last lock is near St. Louis, mile marker 184. 

            As the water passes the St. Louis Arch, the Mississippi becomes a free running river, no longer confined by locks and dams.  Here the current and turbulence pick up noticeably, jostling and bouncing the WE BE BLEST III.  The boost in speed we experienced from the three mile-per-hour current above the locks now jumps to five after we pass the last lock.  Instead of motoring around seven miles-an-hour, our boat scoots along at twelve.  Forget the autopilot!  Steering a straight course through all the boils and rough water now becomes a challenge. 

            The Lower Mississippi begins at Cairo and ends about nine hundred eighty miles later, southwest of New Orleans.  The current is even faster here -- in high water it surges six to nine miles-an-hour.  Because of the locks, the tows on the upper section are limited to three wide by five long (fifteen barges lashed together) with perhaps one or two barges secured beside the pusher.  In the Lower Mississippi, tows occasionally have forty-five barges secured together five-by-nine, and even forty-nine barges, a seven-by-seven tow.  With all the barge traffic, turbulence, and lack of services, the Lower Mississippi is definitely not suited for pleasure craft.

            Today was our third and, thankfully, last day motoring on the free running river between St. Louis and Cairo.  Tomorrow we will turn onto the much calmer Ohio and head toward the Cumberland River, which will take us to Nashville, Tennessee.  This has been a long grueling day, shoving off at six thirty in the morning and traveling until five fifteen in the evening.  We usually motor only five to seven hours, forty to sixty miles a day.  Although without suitable anchorages or places to tie up, we covered one hundred eleven river miles today.

            The Mississippi River is muddy -- hence the name Big Muddy.  The farther we traveled downstream, the muddier it became.  By late-afternoon we motored some of our last miles on the Upper Mississippi.  We were in Dogtooth Bend, mile marker 21, a ten-mile long sprawling “S” curve and one of the few places the downstream Mississippi current travels north.  Here is another oddity:  parts of the state of Missouri lie east of the Mississippi and parts of Illinois are located west of the river.  This resulted from radical changes in oxbows -- the river abruptly changing course and cutting off portions of land.  (Try those factoids on your friends sometime!)

            Unseasonably cool for midsummer, our cloudy day turned sunny early in the afternoon -- a very welcome change.  We enjoyed the warming sunshine as the river narrowed in Dogtooth Bend, with its tree lined, sandy banks.  Although windy, the temperature was pleasant.  However, the water was far from pleasurable.  With a depth of twenty to forty feet, the swift, raging current was muddy and choppy.  Frequent boils pitched us this way and that.  After passing the tows, their turbulence bounced the WE BE BLEST III for over two miles. 

            As we steadfastly motored into the first bend, to my surprise and delight, the river danced with diamonds.  No longer muddy, dark and threatening, now reflecting the sky, the water became a beautiful blue-gray.  The crests and sides of the waves were awash with light.  Thousands of sparkles gleamed and shimmered on the blinding waves.  As we slowly followed the winding, snaky river, the diamonds moved around the boat, always nearby -- before us, behind us, on our port and starboard sides.  Whenever I faced the sun, I saw the diamonds.  The Big Muddy was absolutely beautiful!

Blissfully enfolded in God’s presence, He spoke deep within my heart.

Trust in Me.  I will cover up all the ugliness of life with My glory.

            Savoring the display of lights and God’s message, I recalled my brother Bob’s courageous and faith-filled battle against cancer.  Life can spin us around, tumble us about, cloud our vision, torment us with extremes, buffet us with winds, confuse our minds, wrack our bodies with pain, assault us with disease, swamp us with despair and drown us in the ugliness of cancer. 

            Yet God affirms:

I am here.  I am with you and I will not leave you. 

I understand.  Do not fear.  Hold on to Me. 

My glory will cover up and remove all the ugliness of life. 

Come!  Turn to Me for all your needs. 

Look to Me for eternal life.

            God was my constant companion that sunny afternoon.  It did not matter how much the WE BE BLEST III twisted and turned through Dogtooth Bend, jostling and bouncing in the turbulent current.  The diamonds danced beside us.  To see them I merely turned and looked toward the sun.

            Indeed, God was always there.  His bright, warm sun was shining on the WE BE BLEST III, while the love of His Son Jesus was shining in our hearts.  I prayed as we motored out of Dogtooth Bend, “Thank you, Lord, for your everlasting love.”

When you travel on the water, look to the SUN to see the diamonds.

When you travel through life, look to the SON for an eternal treasure.

                                                      * * * * *

Postscript:  A former Delta pilot, Bob received his final flight plan from God and passed away on August 12, 2004.  Forever seeking adventure, Bob saw the diamonds and now has found his treasure. 

 * * *

We stayed at Kentucky Dam Marina this week. It was our time to regroup and catch our breath -- do some grieving, some future planning, some organizing, and some walking. Gene installed a new depth sounder and learned how to operate the autopilot so it would follow a course of way points in the GPS. We need this for our open water run across the top of the Gulf of Mexico heading down into Florida. He finished wiring our tankwatch 4 system, which keeps track of the level in our black water tank and both fresh water tanks. With a push of a button, I now know how much is in each tank.

Jan worked on laundry, spent time working on the computer, writing and organizing the ideas for her next book, REFLECTIONS ON THE WATER. She was able to use the marina’s computer searching the Internet for the best airline deals for four future flights between September and December.

The weather was very hot and storms moved through almost every day. Shore power for our air conditioning was most welcome. Every time Jan thought about washing the boat, it rained! So that’s yet to do.

Kentucky Dam Marina is very friendly and accommodating, providing Internet access, a courtesy car we borrowed to get provisions at Wal-Mart, and a Boat US discount on the slip rental.

We’ll be leaving here tomorrow or Monday and heading down the Tennessee River toward the Tenn-Tom Waterway.

Late this afternoon we met some local boaters from dock 5, Mike and Sherlyn Campbell. They are from Indiana, and will be coming to Florida leaving this area Nov. 1. They plan on staying at the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin and will call us when they arrive. We visited with them on their 42’ Carver. They introduced us to many of the boaters on their dock. We toured a Pluckybaum houseboat which was recently redone. Also met Leo and Sally who have a very big Carver. Leo, 91, wintered in Ft. Myers in the past, and is a very knowledgeable boater. I met him in the laundry room and he is such a gentleman.

Washed the boat at 9 (took 2 hours). I had given a copy of my Diamonds, Love and Lessons on the Lake to the marina and mentioned it to Glendyl, the dockmaster. He said he’ll borrow it and read it. 1140 lines off and left KY Dam Marina.

We have six weeks to motor around and then boat to Mobile, AL to fly home on Oct. 16 for Daron and Kayla’s Ironman on Oct. 23. We’re a week ahead of our pontoon trip when we came here in 1997.

1515 mm51.0 Just motored 1500 miles! A beautiful day today. Pleasant temps. Diamonds danced all along our way. Decided to stop at Paris Landing State Park Marina.

1730 Tied up. Mm66.1 43.1 miles today. The Captain Gene had a headache, perhaps from diesel fumes blowing back on us. Happy hour: two Tylenol and a beer fixed him right up! Let the log reflect: the mate even got in the sack before the Captain! Probably a first -- no computer work tonight. She was bushed from washing the boat in the heat plus some late nights on the computer and Internet. Low and behold --- we washed the boat and it DID NOT rain! Will wonders never cease!

Tuesday, August 31 mm 66.1

Rode bikes for 45 min around Paris Landing State Park. 1013 lines off.

We thought of stopping at an anchorage around mm 87, but with the chance of storms later in the week, we decided to motor today in the good weather. The next anchorage is about mm125.

The mate was whipped, and her back sore (wearing her brace), so she pulled a Betty Dunham and went below to take a nap. Several naps and two hours later she came back to the fly bridge. Captain Gene had been manning the helm alone -- even had to switch hands with the autopilot. The fingertip on his right hand was sore from using the autopilot yesterday. Right! Oh, poor dear!

Captain Gene set up the blue folding chair behind the center helm chair to sit in the shade. That worked quite well. Autopilot in hand, feet propped on the center chair, what a life!

The Mate took out the other folding chair and did likewise. This will be a good napping position. Yup! Verified at 1620.

1530 an eagle swooped down to the water, grabbed a fish and flew away. It had bright white head and tail feathers.

1630 the Captain Gene said his autopilot finger on his right hand is pretty well rested up. It’ll be good for tomorrow! Grueling day on the river -- this is not!

1730 mm125.5 anchored in the secluded bay we found in ‘97. Very peaceful. Later the mate reviewed two chapters of Piloting (a US Power Squadron course) and Captain Gene fished. We took showers before dinner, before the bugs came out, and before it would get too cool. After supper, Captain Gene read and the Mate studied more Piloting.

59.4 miles traveled today.

Wednesday, September 1 mm125.5 anchor up 0808

Awoke early. The fog was rolling out from the trees, through the bay and into the river. It was beautiful. I have a picture of two cypress trees in the misty fog. The mate was feeling much better and was at the helm for two hours.

We met a Nordic Tug around 0900. He hailed us, asking if we were a Camano, said he loved the boat, would probably have one except for the Nordic Tug he bought. Saw them at a trawler fest. He was from Henderson, TN. Captain Gene put in a little dig saying he loves the flybridge! The Nordic has none.

The Mate studied Piloting again -- reviewing the tests for Chapters 1-3. Then finally on to new material -- the compass. She’s been studying these first three chapters since last summer on the trip to the Pacific NW.

1400 Hurrah! The Mate can now calculate TVMDC problems, with deviation, variation and compass readings, converting the compass readings to true north readings.

1730 Tried to anchor at mm195 beside an island Had trouble blowing up on our main anchor even with a stern anchor out. We tried a couple times -- then pulled the anchors and motored farther up the island but on the opposite side of the channel. The wind was not as strong, so we were more secure. Captain Gene wanted it noted in the log he did not like this anchorage. It is the one in ’97 where the water dropped 3 1/2’ during the night. We were tied off to a snag and woke up to a big surprise. Fortunately we were able to get the pontoon lines off that were tied to the snag -- and we were not beached!

0430 Captain Gene popped out of bed after hearing the rumbling of a tow. It was going downstream, so not of concern to us -- he went back to bed.

0530 He heard the rumbling again. This tow was coming upstream. He began pulling up the stern anchor. It was stuck. After letting out more rode on the bow anchor, he pulled the boat over to the stern anchor. Horsing it, Captain Gene finally freed the anchor but bent one of the flukes in the process. It must have been hooked on a snag below.

While all this was gong on, the Mate tried to go back to sleep, ignore the Captain, and ignore the noise of the chain rattling in the anchor locker just two feet from her head. NO GO! The Captain was adamant about leaving and heading to the lock. "We can beat that tow to the lock," he declared. So much for enjoying the cool morning air curled up in a nice comfortable bed.

By 0620 anchors were up and we did get to Pickwick Lock before the tow. Locked through, then motored into Pickwick Landing State Park Marina for fuel. We had come in fairly empty, not having filled up since KY Dam Marina, 184 river miles ago. We needed 67 gal. The Captain estimated we’d need 75-80.

Jane and Jim Campbell called as we were motoring in. We had very poor cell phone service in this area so we called them back at a pay phone. Hurricane Frances was threatening the East coast and possibly Arcadia again. They asked to use our home if needed. We said of course, and notified the Dunham’s that the Campbell’s might come. We couldn’t reach anyone in OBV, so we had no word on what they were doing in preparation for Frances’ arrival.

Walked up to the gas station and got milk. After pulling out of the marina around 1100, we passed the tow that we beat to Pickwick Lock. "If we had not left so early, we would have just been getting in the lock right now." "Yes, Captain Gene, sir, you were right! Mumble, mumble, mumble! Grumble, grumble, grumble!"

We headed to our favorite anchorage at mm218, complete with waterfall. This is one of the best anchorages we’ve found. It is a long, slender embayment off the main channel. Half way in, a smaller, narrower finger takes off perpendicular to the larger one. This anchorage is about 80-100 feet across and has steep, heavily wooded banks. At the end of it, we heard a waterfall. We’re protected from winds on all sides. We backed in and set both bow and stern anchors. Hopping in the dink, we motored and paddled to see the waterfall. We had anchored here twice in 1997 on the pontoon trip, but had not been able to see the waterfall since we had no dink. It was not very tall, but wide and picturesque. What a peaceful anchorage!

We stayed here three nights. The mate worked on stories from our Norris Lake trip in 2001. These will be added to her newest manuscript. Captain Gene fished and puttered. The only drawback was no cell phone coverage whatsoever. We could not get any news from folks about Hurricane Frances. We decided to leave Sunday late morning so we could try to make phone calls with our weekend minutes.

We had a rather frequent visitor while in this anchorage. A beautiful butterfly, velvety black with blue tipped wings. Her underside was totally different -- mottled, aqua, spotted with orange. She flew around the fly bridge, often landing near us. Stayed for half an hour or so on one of the helm chairs. I kept praying for Marsha as I was writing. On Saturday, she landed right beside me. I had my hand within a foot or two of her but she did not come up on it. I was able to get some great pictures of her. I called her Marsha’s butterfly.

Mm218 25 miles traveled

We had four boats rafted together and anchored at the mouth of our bay and another houseboat out there too. They all came in on Saturday.

After having church, we heard voices. The folks from the houseboat were swimming by our boat on their way to the waterfall. The little kids were riding piggyback on the men. After they swam back to their boat, we put the dink back in the water and motored to the waterfall once again, then out to the bigger bay. Captain Gene showed the Mate how to run the dink motor, so she practiced with it and brought it back to the WE BE BLEST III.

Pulled anchors at 1036. Heading toward Florence, AL. Finally getting cell phone signals, we talked with Dunham’s and Campbell’s. Jane and Jim were staying in our house since Saturday. Hurricane Frances brought winds and rain, but nothing severe for either OBV or Arcadia.

1600 Took a slip at Florence Boat Harbor with a Boat US discount. Very friendly, free laundry and fairly high speed Internet access. A good stop. Courtesy car to Super Wal-Mart for provisions.

Met Frank and Sandra who had just returned from doing the Great Circle Trip -- 10 months in a 43’ Mainship. Frank said it was a touch big for the trip and that ours is a perfect size, not more than about 36’ is recommended. There were some marinas they could not get into. Capt. Bob’s Cruising Guides are very good. I should check out www.womenaboard.com for lots info and tips.

Touched base with the kids. Marsha’s doing OK. Perhaps the butterfly’s presence (Maxine) was for Morrie instead. He’s not been having good days.

Mm256 38 miles traveled

Monday 9/6/04 Beautiful weather today, hot by afternoon

Washed the boat, did two loads of free laundry, Internet work -- checking plane reservations, breakfast at Captain Bill’s on the dock and pulled out at 1235.

Wilson lock was just upstream a couple miles. *** see description in ’97 log. This lock had double bollards. The Mate took the upper one, but with a docking line, this did not leave much line to hand on to. When we locked through Wheeler, she took the lower bollard. Still need to use a longer line for these TVA locks. Wilson was quite smooth for the first 2/3 of the way up, then the current pushed us around a lot. Captain Gene thought the RDB side was smoother. We were secured on the LDB. 97’ lift.

Wheeler was a very smooth lockage, 50’ lift. A 20’ runabout, with two young couples out for a day of fun in the sun, locked through with us. They had only one small fender, a short line and appeared to be new at locking. They had a lot of trouble keeping the boat from banging the wall, pushing off the grimy, slimy walls with their bare hands. The lockmaster called one by name and after the lockage had them wait while he got another fender and longer line. He also gave some instructions to them. Not a good lockage for trying to impress the women!

Today was a beautiful day of motoring. Sunny and breezy. I mentioned to Gene we need to remember days like this when we are home, in Florida, and not able to boat.

1610 Anchored in Second Creek mm275.1, just above Wheeler Lock. Lots of embayments on this lake. The mate swam for about 30 minutes, getting some exercise and washing the waterline on the boat.

Captain Gene remarked again, we need an engine compartment fan to cool that area. It gets 100 degrees during the day down there. The only way to cool it now is to open the hatch into the main cabin. Then we get 100 degree air in there -- not good when we’re trying to keep cool. He’ll vent the heat from the compartment into the lazarette.

Mm275 18 miles traveled 2 locks

The Captain Gene woke up at 0410, heard the anchor dragging and found the wind had shifted and we had blown over our bow anchor. The stern anchor was not set anymore. He let out more scope on the rear one and crawled back into the sack.

00717 anchors up and headed out after debating whether to go or stay since today will be a cloudy, rainy day. We decided to head out. We’d rather spend extra time on Watts Bar Lake.

Motored from the fly bridge until 1100 when some rain began. We practiced taking bearings, determining course directions and Captain Gene set way points in the chart plotter. We’ll follow them on our return trip back through these lakes. This is good practice for our open water run in the Gulf. Motored the rest of the day from the lower helm after the rain began. About the only time we motor from the lower helm is when it’s raining.

Mm339 Anchored in the Flint River just off the island in the channel. 2 anchors. Fairly shallow. Good spot for wind protection from all directions, but need to be a little closer forward to the island and more towards the center of the channel. It did get fairly shallow where we were.

We did not see a single pleasure craft today. A couple line boats and barges.

The Mate was about to begin fixing dinner but wanted to study Piloting, so the Captain graciously agreed to take care of supper and the dishes. The Mate studied until 1100, six hours of book time. Good exercise for her brain

Mm275 62 miles traveled

PIX 1120 Diamonds on a cloudy day

Frances leaving town -- half cloudy, half blue skies

Wednesday, 9/8/04 mm339 Cloudy skies, Frances leaving the area

0820 Anchor up. Locked through Guntersville Lock today. Windy, not too much turbulence, but the bow kept heading to the lock wall. The Mate really struggled to keep it off. Wore the tip of her boat hook down to the metal. Need to get some replacements. This lockmaster was not very friendly at all.

Guntersville Lake is quite beautiful. We’re seeing more and more ridges, bluffs and mountains in the distance. Big patches of milfoil floating and in the shallows in the channel -- on top of submerged hills. We’re in 33’ of water and 20-30 feet to starboard we see heron and other birds walk the milfoil looking for food.

1422 We’re starting to get sunny weather as Frances begins to leave.

1518 Arrive at Goose Pond Colony Marina and anchored in their bay by the golf course -- beautiful scenery -- some color at sunset. We realized we have not seen too many sunsets since we’ve been anchoring in narrow secluded embayments with steep wooded banks. Life’s a series of tradeoffs. We’d see many sunsets on the pontoon trip as we beached along the channel.

Once again the Mate hit the books and began to learn how to plot. Study time from 1600-2200 tonight with a break for supper

We swung on one anchor at Goose Pond. A nice change from our two anchors at night. Cool in the night. Breeze through the hatch.

Mm339 41 miles traveled 1 lock

PIX pix of reflections at Goose Pond and traveling on Guntersville Lake

0705 anchor up. Guntersville Lake is very scenic, specially as it narrows down farther upstream.

1215 crossed the TN-AL state line. Riddle for the Day: Captain Gene and the Mate sat on the fly bridge and motored across the TN-AL state line. The Captain entered TN before the Mate and left AL after her. How did he do that? Answer at the end of today’s log.)

Took pictures of reflections along Guntersville Lake -- trees, bridge, quite calm water. How do we see God? Sometimes more clearly than others. Relate this to different reflections -- crystal clear, mirror image to fuzzy indistinct images. Could be a first story or last one.

Betty called around 1000. Ivan is cat 5. The Keys are evacuating. Arcadia is evacuating also because of the Peace River flooding. Ivan is expected to come up the center of FLA. She sorted through the hurricane boxes to take what’s necessary. They are considering going to GA to Bobby’s. She put stuff up off the floor in case of flooding. Gene and I had a discussion about what we really need to save -- pictures Jan’s Grandma, Helen’s wedding picture Need to take paper files and scan them, same with some pictures Betty was beside herself with worry. Had Dotti’s funeral luncheon the next day, not sure if they would be there for it or not.

1310 A big cloud of black smoke began billowing up in the sky. It kept coming and coming. Something big was burning. I24 was that direction. It could be a tanker that caught fire. The river curves around in that direction, but we don’t think it’s on the water.

33 minutes: start of wait at Nickajack Lock to motoring out. Best lockage, very smooth. 39’. Best lockmaster, very friendly. He came out to talk with us. He said the black smoke was from the TVA fire training. It can be a several times a day occurrence. The lock walls are black from it.

1430 anchored at 426.9. The Captain fished and the Mate studied piloting. She even began charting, then took a break around 1600 to swim. "All work and no play makes for a dull day!" Captain Gene checked over the Mate’s plot and found only one mistake thus far. Conversation later that evening was whether the Mate would do anything to get an A. The next morning when asked if she’d get an A, the Captain emphatically replied, "Yes, you earned one!"

Mm426.9 49 miles traveled. 1 lock Nickajack

PIX in the Tennessee River gorge

Mm443 Raccoon Mountain on the right

Coast Guard work barge with cans and nuns

0905 anchors up. Leading for Chattanooga. The yellow chamois mop is great for wiping down the boat and bugs in the morning ALA Dickie style.

Mm444.6 99.8’ deep, then 106’ by Raccoon Mountain. The gorge is spectacular, high tree covered slopes with some rock outcroppings. As the depth increased to 85’ our speed actually increased from 7.2-8.5 mph.

PIX Life doesn’t get any better than this! A remote in each hand -- GPS and radar.

Planned on tying off at the dock by the Aquarium in Chattanooga, but it is all torn out. The whole waterfront is under construction. There will be new city docks, lovely landscaped areas, sidewalks all along the shore. Ross’ Landing Marina was open, so we stayed there. $1/foot LOA.. This was the first time we paid on LOA.

1410 rode bikes for an hour or so, got groceries. No good beer at JAX Liquors, only 3 kinds available. Showered up and walked back to Big River Brew Pub for a couple beers and dinner. What a feast and treat. Walked back to the boat and read/worked on the computer. Captain Gene had gone to bed early, and around 2200, a fantastic display of fireworks started behind us toward Big River. There was a baseball game at the stadium and the home team must have won. These were very unusual fireworks, quite impressive. Captain Gene heard their noise, got up and enjoyed the show with the Mate.

Mm 464 36 miles

Saturday, 9/11/04 few clouds, hot

First thing this morning, we logged on NOAA’s hurricane tracking center to check out IVAN’s progress. Heading hopefully to the Gulf and then north. Still could come to Ft. Myers. Had good cell phone coverage, so stayed to make calls. Gave Gene a haircut and pulled out at 1220.

Chickamauga lockmaster was very friendly, must not be the growly one we’ve had in the past. The lockage had us rubbing fenders on the way up. We swung forwards and back quite a bit. It was hard to keep the stern off the wall.

1510 Pulled into an anchorage at Harrison Bay State Park. Thought we’d ride bikes on the "bunny" mountain bike trail, but with all the weekend boat traffic, the dock was extremely busy. So we skipped the ride for now. We considered going farther since we were not riding, but decided to stay here where we have good cell phone reception and Internet connection.

Mm478 only 15 miles traveled 1 lock.

Sunday, 9/12 478

We pulled up to the dock at Harrison Bay State Park, since we decided to ride bikes in the campground and see if there was a church service. There was one scheduled, but it had merged with a Sunday School class from Bayside Baptist Church. The group had a breakfast buffet they cooked at the park and invited all the churchgoers to join them so we had food for the body and the soul. Prayers were offered for many intentions, as well as the safety of all in harm’s way of IVAN. The Sunday school teacher spoke on the importance of being witnesses for Christ, and after the service, he prayed with us, blessing our travels and asking the Lord to use us to spread His message of love and salvation, being witnesses to everyone we meet.

Afterwards, we rode the 4.5 mile bike trail in the park. It was a bit rough and had some big muddy areas, so our bikes came out caked with mud. We hosed them off at the campground dump station before loading them back on the boat. "No mud allowed on my ship!" The mate declared. With any water on the bow, the mud would run from the fore deck all the way along the walkways to the stern. "No, Sir, no mud allowed!"

A number of folks stopped to chat as we secured the bikes, talking especially about Florida and the hurricanes. Some made light of us hiding out up here in Tennessee, others showed compassion for the destruction that occurred and the danger yet to come. One boater, knowing we were not allowed to tie off to the dock overnight, offered us his slip for the night. He was taking his boat to a nearby marina for some repairs. Boaters are friendly folks!

Headed out at 1400 and continued up river to mm494.7 and the anchorage in Sale Creek. Captain Gene fished in the dink and the Mate cooled off in the water, washing the hull’s waterline.

Afterwards the Mate sat up on the flybridge and watched a spectacular display of diamonds on the water -- a very narrow band stretching from the stern of the boat toward shore. Usually there are wide areas of sparkling lights, so this was rather unusual being so narrow. Looking into the bright sun to watch, the Mate was surprised to see the band of diamonds change color, in no particular order, from a bright white, to red, green, orange, yellow, and blue. We’re not really sure what was causing the colors to appear, but they were beautiful. It was like a fantastic fireworks display. As the water became calmer, the center of the band lost its lights. There was a mass of bright light by the stern; and, at the shore end of the band, innumerable bright, rapidly flashing sparkles appeared in a very random pattern. The diamonds were certainly dancing today. And then they were gone. The water still.

What a reminder to me that it’s important to occasionally stop all the busyness of life -- motoring; doing all the mate’s and captain’s chores; keeping up with the log, computer and camera work; studying piloting; -- and just sit and take in the beauty of the moment. Beauty which sometimes can be very fleeting like diamonds dancing on the bay.

Mm494.7 16 miles traveled

Monday, 9/13/2004 mm494.7

Anchor up at 1000. One of the Mate’s duties in the morning, ALA Dickie Gibson style, is to take our chamois strip mop and wipe down the boat. Using the dew, it’s easy to remove all the bugs that are attracted to our lights at night and choose to commit suicide. Tennessee River water is so clear, we can even use it to wash down the boat and the mop. This morning, after wiping all around the boat -- bow, gunnels and cockpit -- the Mate decided to wash the flybridge deck as well. Moving one of the chairs near our secondary fridge, low and behold, a night crawler began stretching out, taking a stroll. The Mate knew Captain Gene kept the worms and night crawlers in this fridge. Not a good omen! Fortunately this fridge mainly cooled soda, beer and extra veggies. Upon opening, all she could say was, "O YUCK!" The cauliflower, broccoli, beer and shelves were the night crawlers haven, covered now with worm bedding as four others enjoyed their freedom from the container. Evidently, the day before, Captain Gene had not closed the lid tightly. Taking the helm, the Mate left the captain to clean his mess. "O YUCK!" What was surprising was that one night crawler (hopefully only one) was able to slip out of the fridge! ... This was not the first time this has ever happened. That’s why the Mate knew the worms were not going in the main fridge!

1454 Arrived Watts Bar Lock. 1530 Motoring out. Very quick, very smooth lockage. The lockmaster received the WE BE BLEST III ‘s award for the most considerate lockmaster from Minneapolis to Nashville to Watts Bar Lake. He called us to say he was getting the lock ready (10 Minutes), to come on up, and to wait in the calm water. May God grant him a special blessing today. Attempting to be witnesses, the Mate did tell the lockmaster about our award and God’s blessing.

1530 Arrived at our destination -- Watts Bar Lake. We can see four ridges off in the distant bay. We’ll anchor near the mountains today! This lake has innumerable coves to duck into for fishing and anchoring. Here comes a week of fun. Hopefully Daron and Kayla will be able to join us this weekend. We’ll see what IVAN will bring to the area.

1700 Anchored at mm541.5 in the back reach of Pearl Harbor. What an absolutely serene anchorage -- quiet, still, heavily wooded, steep banks. We heard a single bird chirping. There was very little wind or waves so the trees were reflecting quite clearly in the water. We sat a long time enjoying the quiet, peaceful, serenity, wondering how a city girl ended up here. We played around with the idea of screening in the flybridge. We’ll check into it in Florida. The cost may be prohibitive. Bug repellent clothing will be much more economical. We’ll stay a couple days here so the captain can fish all the little bays and the Mate can write.

Greg called tonight. Their family will be coming for Thanksgiving for a week. That should be fun. It will be their first visit to our home in OBV. He thought IVAN was swinging westerly -- good news for Ft. Myers -- perhaps bad for Mobile. We’ve rethought leaving the boat in Mobile and will leave it in Demopolis instead. This will keep her out of the salt water and perhaps hurricanes too.

Mm 541.5 48 miles 1 lock

Night crawler update. Yesterday the captain had washed the cauliflower and broccoli after the great night crawler escape. The Mate later packed them in a Wally World plastic bag and tucked them in the main fridge overnight. This morning, preparing to make our favorite salad, she took the broccoli out of the bag and there, intertwined in the flowerettes, was a long night crawler. "O YUCK" "So that’s where he was hiding," the captain declared as he tugged and tugged on him. We had to cut the broccoli bunch in pieces to free him. "Better wash that broccoli good!" the captain suggested as he carried the wiggly captive back to his proper container. The Mate checked the fridge for any more escapees. Negative, thank goodness!

The captain fished and explored the bays in the dink. During the afternoon, the mate looked out on the absolutely calm bay. The MINI BLEST reflected almost perfectly in the water. She found the captain, sprawled out in the dink, hat over his face, pole in the water, probably snoozing. Life is tough! Here was a live version of the picture Gene embroidered for Brianna’s quilt. Back in 1996, each family member created a square which was a portion of the quilt we put together when she was born. Too good to pass up, this was a Kodak moment to share with Brianna.

The mate hit the Piloting books again and plotted a couple courses on sample charts -- a good lesson and practice for our open water runs across the Gulf from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs. The Captain had taken Piloting and Advanced Piloting back in Ft. Myers last winter, so he was a good tutor.

Hung on anchor another day. Beautiful weather before IVAN heads up this way. The captain putted around some more in the dink and brought home a few blue gills. Fresh fish to eat. Yum ...Yum! Well at least an appetizer of fresh fish. Actually it made a nice breakfast for the two of us! The mate decided to write a letter to Homer Vick, a former VP of finance at Wisconsin Power and Light, letting him know the influence his words had on the captain when he was a young engineer. She even included her story FIRM FOUNDATIONS, which mentioned his ideas about values.

Daron called. They will not be able to make it this week end. A friend of Kayla’s was coming for a visit. They had forgotten about it. But his news was that he asked Kayla to marry him last night ... And she said YES! A wise choice on both parts. We’re so happy and excited for them. "Please, Lord, let her lead him to You," was the captain’s repeated prayer. We toasted their future happiness! They may have the wedding when they are in Florida for the Ironman.

Candy called. She was going in for surgery tomorrow to clean out the two pockets from her May surgery. Should be an out patient 2 hour procedure. We pray it will.

Thursday, 9/16/04 rainy

We stayed in this anchorage three days and nights. In the morning, the fog would roll out of the woods into the bay, providing us beautiful misty mornings.

Inspecting the generator this morning, the captain found that the bearing had failed. We contacted Westerbeke, who gave us a contact near Knoxville, who gave us a contact in Chattanooga. We’ll probably have the work done there. Waiting to hear from them. This will be warranty work since the generator is only three months old with only 92 hours of use.

In the meantime, Daron called and said IVAN had hit Mobile and was heading right up Alabama toward us. Perhaps since IVAN missed us in Florida he decided to find us in Tennessee! Our area is expected to get 10-15 inches of rain and 45 mph winds. Daron invited us to hang out with them as long as we’d want. They would come and get us. We decided to go to Blue Springs Marina mm547.5 for fuel, pumpout and a slip for a night or two to ride out the storm. We would consider going to our very secluded anchorage we found on the pontoon trip near Watts Bar Resort, but without a generator working we can’t stay on anchor until our batteries are recharged and then for only a night or two at a time.

The rain began late morning as we motored to the marina. By afternoon IVAN began dumping buckets and buckets and bathtubs of rain on the area, and continued all through the night.

Mm 547.5 6 miles traveled 1998 total miles

Friday-Saturday, September 17-18, 2004 Blue Springs Marina

IVAN’s deluge continued into the morning. The water depth under our boat rose 7’ as the rivers and lakes flooded. Fortunately we were tied to floating docks so we all just rose with the rising flood waters. The locks above and below us were closed for 2-3 days. Some areas received up to 10" of rain.

Bohlman Generator from Chattanooga contacted us and we arranged for them to come to the marina to pull the generator next Wednesday.

We met Jim and Margie Wendling on AFTERNOON DELIGHT, a 350 Mainship Trawler. They have been living on the boat for the last two years and recently completed the Great Circle, the loop circumnavigating the eastern third of North America. Their boat is now up for sale, since they plan on getting a motorhome for land travel. We bought most of their charts for the LOOP. At half price, it was too good to pass up. Now we’re committed for next year’s trip!

Saturday, we borrowed the marina’s courtesy car, drove to Rockwood to a Super Wal-Mart for supplies and provisions, and attended 5pm Mass in Herriman. The priest had a very thought provoking sermon on the "toys" we have which we really don’t need, and our attitudes about stuff.

Sunday - Tuesday, September 19-21, 2004

We left the marina, motoring for about 1½ hours, sightseeing and enjoying Watts Bar Lake. This is certainly beautiful scenery. Pulled into a bay upstream of the marina, and anchored. The mate worked on the 4th revision of the family cookbook, to have it ready for Daron and Kayla’s wedding. The captain read, puttered and fished. It was so good to be on anchor again -- cool evenings, misty mornings, still calm water, heavily wooded banks. A beaver swam by in the late afternoon, creating ripples in the perfectly flat water. An ever-present heron stood watch near shore, ready to nab his meal at a moment’s notice.

Mm 2005 river miles traveled

Monday afternoon we pulled anchor and again toured the area for a several hours -- motoring in and out of bays, finding new homes built since our pontoon trip. This was the area we mourned as we heard a number of chain saws cutting trees, and spotted developer’s lot signs posted all along shore. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the area was not stripped of trees, and the homes did seem to blend in well with their surroundings. These were more modest homes than those we found on the slopes of Ft.Louden Lake. We anchored in a multi-fingered bay across from the marina.

Mm 2024 river miles traveled

Tuesday morning as the fog was lifting and the sun starting to peek out, we noticed the abundance of spider webs on our bike tires and on the burgee holder. They glistened in the sun. It was quite a sight. The caption on the picture of Captain Gene’s bike has to be: RIDE MUCH? We spent the day fishing and working on the cookbook. Late afternoon we headed back to Blue Springs Marina and our "usual" slip. The generator may be pulled tomorrow, although that was "ify."

Mm 548 20 river miles traveled

Wednesday - Friday, September 22-24, 2004 Blue Springs Marina

The captain was pleasantly surprised when Ray Bohlman, from Bohlman Generator Repair, and Jr., his helper arrived around noon. Ray had indicated he would try to get to us on Wednesday. Knowing the extremely tight quarters around the generator, when talking on the phone, the Captain queried Ray as to his size. "I’m a big guy, around 280#, but I’ll have my helper with me." Today we realized, Jr., Ray’s helper probably pushed 230# -- not much better for squeezing around in the hold!

Ray did manage to get down there, several times head first, and then had to be extricated by his feet as the Captain and Jr. pulled and tugged on his legs and feet. Ray was sweating buckets by the time his head appeared.

Because of the tight quarters, the generator is extremely difficult to disconnect from all the hoses, cords and connectors, and then lift in and out. The brochure indicated it weighs 183#. After muscling it out with great difficulty, red-faced, gasping for breath, these two both agreed, "They lie! It’s more like 200#!"

Early in this procedure, Ray was crouched in the hold, legs occasionally wrapped around the propeller shaft and dangling in the keel area below the generator. As he attempted to remove the screws that held the generator anchored to the floor of the hold, we heard, "Where’s this water coming from?" Soon the bilge pump started and the bilge alarm sounded at the same time. Removing another screw, Ray realized the water came from the screw holes. Evidently these screws were put in all the way THROUGH the hull. Oh, no! More water. The pump began again. The alarm sounded it’s warning. As soon as the generator was removed, the Captain saw the water spraying up in a 7" geyser. Later he replaced the screws and plugged the holes with 3M4200 to temporarily stop the leak.

Now we not only need to have the generator repaired, but the hull as well, and devise a new installation method so the next time the generator is removed we will not have to deal with thru-hull leaks. More calls. This time to Camano Marine for advice and Sunnyside Marina in Stillwater who is responsible for this folly and its repair.

Friday the WE BE BLEST III was hauled out with the marina’s 30 ton travel lift, had her bottom power washed, and put "on the hard" using jack stands and cribbing blocks. The workers also left her in the cradle (on the travel lift’s slings) as well, since they did not need it for a few days. This was an unusual sight -- on the hard and in the cradle at the same time. No rocking tonight for sure! Knowing the air conditioner will not work unless the boat is in the water, Todd, the boater in the adjacent slip, invited us to stay at his home with his wife and two little girls. We’ve had boat rides, car rides, even vehicles, offered to us in the past. This was the first time someone offered their home! I’ve said it before: boaters are great people!

The mechanics opened the screw holes the Captain had temporarily plugged, to allow them to dry and to be sure the water had not traveled into the layers of fiberglass. There she sat over the weekend to dry. Monday repairs will begin.

In the meantime, Daron had called to see if we wanted to come to Oak Ridge on Sunday where he and Kayla were competing in a half Ironman race. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. Oh my! This would be their last entered event before the Great Floridian Ironman October 23 with twice the distances. It was also an opportunity for us to do sag wagon training for the ironman. We jumped at the chance to cheer them on.

The mornings have had a light fog, and as it burns off, the spider webs glimmer, glisten and sparkle all around the marina. Not only did we find them on the covered docks -- around the electrical pedestals, on the boats, along support poles, over lines -- but also in the open -- up and down the masts of the sailboats. One picture the mate took shows a multitude of sparkling, lacy webs, short-lived but beautiful.

Jim and Margie were kind enough to drive us to Oak Ridge, about an hour away, where we met the kids at the hotel. Bags unloaded, we drove the course so they could get a feel for the hills, terrain and turnarounds. After their carbo-loading pasta dinner at Applebee’s we headed back to the Jameson Inn. Daron and Kayla packed their nutrition and gear and we headed to our room to follow the progress of Hurricane Jeanne. Betty Dunham’s brother and neighbors had evacuated the Stuart area which took a direct hit. The neighbors were staying in our house. Upon their return to Stuart on Monday, they found their home did have some roof damage. Betty’s brother’s home was fairly intact.

Up at 5:15 on Sunday, early breakfast and on to the course at Melton Hill Lake, just above the lock and dam. Still dark and a little cool when we arrived, the kids set up all their gear and bikes in the transition area. A beautiful rose haze colored the sky over the water as the sun began to rise. Because of all the flooding, there was a tremendous amount of debris in the lake over the swim course. "Watch when you take a breath. Use your teeth as strainers!"

What a great day it was. Daron and Kayla did fantastic. 6 hours for Daron to complete the course and 7 hours for Kayla, who took 5th place in her age group. This did humble them a bit, though, realizing how much more the full ironman will require of them. More training is still to come for the next month. They drove us back to the marina and headed home to Nashville.

Candy was back in the hospital from Wednesday through Sunday because of internal and external bleeding after the second surgery. They were also trying to adjust her pain meds to get a better handle on that. Home Sunday to a very low activity recuperation and healing time.

Repair work began today. Fiberglass was built up about 3/8" in the hold under where the generator will set. This should allow the screws to anchor it down without going through the hull ... We hope! The exterior was sanded and a coat of Bondo put on to plug the thru-hull holes. Bottom paint outside completed the job. The test will come when we splash her and reinstall the generator.

Today I am 60 years old. Happy birthday to me!

First thing this morning the crew from the boat yard was ready to put the WE BE BLEST III back into the water. In less than 20 minutes she was splashed again and we motored back to our covered slip. The captain checked for leaks in the repair work and the raw water sea strainer that he had removed to clean and reseal. Negative. Good news thus far.

Ray Bohlman called and has not been able to find the bearing or even our model of the generator, but said he is working on it. He suggested waiting until at least Monday before we come to Chattanooga. So we will enjoy Watts Bar Lake through the weekend. Hope this does not delay us too long. We spent the day really cleaning the exterior of the boat and adding another coat of Rejex to the area above the rub rail. Todd was working on his boat and the Captain has been helping him occasionally.

Captain Gene treated the Mate to a fantastic birthday dinner at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Euchee Marina, about 5 miles away. After happy hour on the fly bridge, we borrowed the courtesy car and headed out. Celebrations were in order, not only for starting a new decade, but for dropping another 5# on the South Beach Diet for a total of 25# since last November, and, better yet, for dropping a third blood pressure medicine and cutting the second one in half, and in half again. Really splurging on this auspicious occasion, we split an elegantly presented milky way chocolate mousse cake, complete with birthday candle, compliments of the Lighthouse. Oh how decadent! What could be better than spending my 60th birthday on the boat, and in the water, on one of our favorite lakes, with my best friend and lifelong lover! Life is good! WE BE BLEST!

We visited this morning with Bobbie and Joe, boaters on a covered pontoon cruising down the Tennessee from Knoxville to Paducah. They have been doing a number of inland rivers for the last several years. Next February, they will do the St. John’s River in Florida and the ICW from Jacksonville to Tarpon Springs. We may pass them on our way downriver.

Headed out around noon. Since it was so calm, the lake quite wide and not that much current, we decided to work on our deviation table for the WE BE BLEST III. For those unfamiliar with compasses, they are affected by any metal in the boat and will not necessarily give accurate magnetic readings. Using our radar, which gave a correct magnetic heading, we were able to see what actual compass heading we would steer for various radar headings in increments of 15 degrees. The difference between the magnetic heading and the compass heading is called a deviation.

We created a deviation table for the upper helm and the lower helm. Both tables are unique due to the amount of metal near each compass and, for the same reason, each boat has its own unique deviation table. This information will be critical, if the electronics fail, when we are making our open water run across the top NE corner of the Gulf. Some of the headings had a deviation of 10-14 degrees. If we do not take this into consideration, as we steer a course over the open water for 10 hours, we could miss our entry port. Not good!

1800 mm549 around Thief Neck Cut-off Anchored in a finger bay which faced SW so we had a great view of sunset.

We woke up to a very foggy morning and spent the day on the hook in this anchorage, fishing, reading and writing. The mate spotted a grouping of limbs and branches that, when reflected in the water, resembled a dove and heart. A prayerful moment and morning, this led to ideas for a feature story in her next book. What a great day and another beautiful sunset! Since we still had no generator, we came back to the marina for the next two nights.

The Mate cleaned the cushions from the fly bridge with the Magic Eraser, rubbed 303 on them and then the Captain sprayed them with Lysol. Hopefully that will stop them from collecting mildew. Finished up with the laundry. Having free machines has saved us quite a bit. That is a great feature at this marina. Used the courtesy car, tried unsuccessfully to find church (we didn’t drive far enough), bought some fiberglass so the captain could add a finer weave glass onto what the marina did, and provisioned at Wal-Mart once again.

The latest update on the generator is that the rotor rubbed the stator so Westerbeke is sending us a brand new generator. It’s being shipped from Massachusetts. Hopefully it will be in early next week. Sunday we will head back to Chattanooga and await it’s delivery.

We left Blue Springs Marina around 1400 and stopped at the Lighthouse Restaurant at Euchee Marina for lunch. We had their buffet, which was OK to good. Next time, we need to order off the menu to have the outstanding entrees.

We motored toward Watts Bar Lock and Dam, where we planned to stay in a very protected anchorage just upstream of the lock. We weathered 5" of rain on our pontoon trip at this location. It was so secluded, we were protected from winds coming from all directions. -- so we thought.

As we pulled into the bay, what a shock and disappointment! The tall trees were stripped of bark, leaves and limbs, many tops broken off. Shorter trees and brush had begun to grow up. We thought at first a fire had devastated the area, but looking closer, the standing dead had no black scorch marks. Was it a storm? The tops appeared to be broken off as if from wind damage.. Leaving the bay, we pulled up to a bass boat and queried the fishermen. "It was a Japanese Beetle," they replied. "They hit a lot of trees in the area, although they don’t damage the evergreens." The captain thought it was probably a bore of some kind.

Our beautiful, protected, secluded bay is no longer. We motored instead across the channel to the bay at Meigs County Park, back into the tall trees.

Since we are now heading downstream, today we’ve begun our trip home. We said our good-byes to Watts Bar Lake deciding to come back next year. There are innumerable bays and anchorages we have yet to explore. Sunsets yet to watch!.

Mm 529

Monday, October 4, 2004

0630 the captain woke up to a relatively clear day which deteriorated rapidly as the morning wind blew out of the woods and into the bay. By 0730, the bay was socked in with fog. Earlier at 0700 the captain called Watts Bar Lock for availability of a lockage. No barge traffic coming. Good!

0800 pulled anchor, called the lock again and headed out of the bay still in the fog. Locked through with a 40-45 foot motor yacht. After lowering us 50+ feet, the wide gated opened to a narrow channel of almost zero visibility. For the next two hours, the captain tested the radar and his ability to navigate in the fog. Both passed successfully. The other vessel left the lock ahead of us, but seemed to wander around in and out of the channel. We’re not sure they had their radar on. As we passed them, they fell in behind the WE BE BLEST III and followed us for the next 10 miles.

This was a good opportunity for us, especially the captain, to become familiar with motoring in low visibility situations, as well as reading and interpreting the radar screen -- land masses, channel markers, sea scatter, boats, pusher and tow. It was quite a challenge -- even though the channel was relatively narrow, it had several hairpin and "s" curves which we did not want to miss and perhaps run aground. There were times we could not see anything around us. It was quite chilly, so at one point we went below, but down there it was even harder to navigate in the fog, so we went back up on the fly bridge. By 1000, the fog finally lifted and we were motoring easily again. 10 miles and 2 hours -- a good nautical exercise. Man against the fog. We won!

1400 pulled into a lovely anchorage, recommended by Dick Jones, the sailor from Blue Springs Marina who marked our charts with a number of good and safe anchorages. This bay is not completely on the charts. It had a number of narrow branches, so there were several good spots to drop anchor. The leaves are beginning to change color. Every now and then a vibrant red peeks out from the fading greens -- probably Sweet Gum trees. It’s so quiet here, a few birds chirping, heron squawking every now and then, fish jumping and splashing the water. Two eagles flew across the water and landed on the same branch.

What started out as a very cool morning -- we were bundled up on the fly bridge and had the heater going in the cabin -- has turned out to be a wonderfully sunny, pleasant afternoon -- high 70-80’s, no clouds, slight breeze. We relaxed in the afternoon; both took a nap -- the mate’s second since she had an earlier fade the last hour we were motoring. Was that nice -- in the v-berth, the slight hum of the engine, lap-lapping of waves on the hull, gentle rocking as we motored. A delightful nap! Since this bay was unnamed on the chart, the captain christened it Seduction Bay.

Fishing, computer work, reading, tacos for supper and a beautiful reddish afterglow from the sunset capped off the day. What a challenging, relaxing, wonderful day in God’s beautiful world. Truly WE BE BLEST!

Mm491 39 miles 1 lock

After sleeping in and a relaxing morning, we pulled anchor and headed to Chickamauga Marina. On the way we passed a HUGE 4-5 story stone house ... Edifice ... Castle ... being built on a point just downstream of Harrison Bay State Park. We had seen it from the opposite shore on our trip up to Watts Bar Lake. This time, we motored past it. Fr. David, this is not merely a "starter castle." This IS a castle. Folks at Harrison Bay State Park indicated it’s been under construction for several years. It is known as the castle, since it really looks like one with turrets and balconies. The owners keep changing the plans. So some of what had been completed, was ripped out and begun again. It’s hard to imagine living in a place that enormous.

Generator update: it is on a truck from Massachusetts and should be in to Chicamauga Marina by Thursday or Friday. We’ll stay here tonight to charge the batteries, anchor out Wednesday and come back to the marina on Thursday. Hopefully it will be in soon. We have a plane to catch from Birmingham on 10/19 and it will take us probably 9 days to get to Demopolis where we’d like to leave the boat when we fly back home for Daron and Kayla’s Ironman.

Today was "Mail Call." Our neighbor, Sonnie, sent our mail to the marina and it was waiting for us when we arrived. It must have been two-three months since we last had it sent. With most of our bills in an auto-pay mode, at least there were no surprises in the mail!

Wednesday, October 6, 2004

Worm update: The mate was fixing enchiladas rancheras and needed a green pepper from the fridge on the flybidge. The Captain’s comment as he handed the pepper to the mate: "Better wash this well!" Evidently, not to be outdone by their big brothers, the nightcrawlers, the Captain’s fishing worms decided to leave the confines of their cramped container and explore their chilly world -- the flybridge fridge. O YUCK! Once again the Captain cleaned the fridge. Later the mate found a straggler out for a stroll on the gunnel. He’s lucky he didn’t drown before the captain put him on his hook ... to drown or be eaten!

Needing some exercise, we walked around the point, the park and beach near the marina. Motored out just after noon to look for an anchorage and idled into Island Cove Marina and Resort to see what they had in their ship’s store. The mate’s gotta shop! She wandered up and down the aisles seeing if there was anything we couldn’t live without. The flags and burgees (small pennants) caught her eye and she called to the Captain: "You know you’re in the South, when there are more confederate burgees than American flags!" "That sounds like a Yankee talking," commented Don at the service desk. Later, after purchasing some boat polish and wax, the mate asked if confederate products will work on a Yankee boat. "Nope, they’ll dissolve it," answered Don. We all laughed as we headed back to the WE BE BLEST III.

We anchored in Dog Leg Slough, a long finger bay off Harrison Bay State Park. Just like a bass boat fisherman, as soon as the engine was off the captain had his line in the water, trying to slay the big ones. Perhaps he can add to the few blue gill he caught Monday and we can enjoy fish for supper tonight.

The 4.5 mile mountain bike trail that we rode several weeks ago is in the woods around this bay. Sitting at anchor, a number of bikers rode past us on one side and then the other as they followed the trail. Occasionally we would hear them comment about the boat. We remember while riding, 100% of our attention was focused on the rough, muddy winding trail. There was little time for sight seeing or looking at the water, although we did see a boat anchored in this bay. A glance was all we could give it, then back to following the trail.

We packed a bite for supper, and motored out of Dog Leg Slough in the MINI BLEST to watch sunset. What a spectacular display God put on for us tonight! As the sun was setting, it reflected a magnificent rich golden color on the water. The ripples gave it an appearance of hammered gold leaf covering the surface of the lake. The sun set at 7:05 pm and for the next 45 minutes we watched a wonderful color display slowly changing from the rich golds, to the soft pinks, to blazing oranges, and finally to vibrant reds. Adding to the overall beauty, the water and waves mirrored the color of the sky. God does know how to do sunset!

Back at the WE BE BLEST III, Captain Gene set out his fishing line for the night and proceeded to catch a 23" 6# channel cat. What a fish! He checked the advisories, warning which fish should not be eaten from certain lakes and rivers. There was none listed for Chicamauga Lake. He’s a keeper! "The price per pound just went down!" The captain proclaimed as he pulled and tugged at the channel cat’s skin. Soon we had catfish fillets waiting in the fridge. Catch of the day was our supper Friday and breakfast Saturday.

We motored back to Chickamauga Marina and waited for the generator, which finally came in late Friday afternoon. Ray Bohlman returned Saturday morning with Junior to reinstall the new genset. They huffed and puffed and muscled it back into the hold and proceeded to hook it up. Ray gave Gene the "honor" of putting in the screws to secure it to the hull. "All dry holes!" No water leaks this time! The generator fired off and ran but it’s still not working properly. The three guys scratched their heads, did lots of troubleshooting, but could not solve the problem. So Ray will be calling Westerbeke on Monday. I guess we’re here in the Chattanooga area for the weekend. Our window to make it to Demopolis by the 18th is beginning to close. Tomorrow we’ll spend the day on the lake and anchor out Sunday night, then come back to the marina for Genset Plan B on Monday.