We had the boat pulled out in Demopolis ,Alabama and the bottom cleaned and zincs changed. We had a ding on one prop and Robert filed it smooth again.
It looks like we are planning Mobile for Christmas! Do hope Santa has us on his radar.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
ORINOCO moves south to warmer weather
We had the boat pulled out in Demopolis ,Alabama and the bottom cleaned and zincs changed. We had a ding on one prop and Robert filed it smooth again.
It looks like we are planning Mobile for Christmas! Do hope Santa has us on his radar.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Columbus Marina Events
Finally after many decades, Patty gets to be an Air Force Pilot for the day. I got to fly the AT6 trainer simulator and do rolls and fly under the bridge and it was so fun!! Thanks to my boat friends, Steve and Julia Erben for requesting that their son, Paul, take me to the base and have a tour.
He is in the USAF and works as a dentist here in the Columbus AFB so his pilot instructor let me fly the simulator on his own time.
simulator controls
We are enjoying an extended stay here in Columbus as there is a good park close to walk with Maggi and restaurants and good stores and now that the weather has gotten warmer, it is a good stop for awhile.
Maggi decided to chase a duck and ran onto the green grass. Unfortunately it turned out to be hyacinths floating on the water so down went the Maggi. I ran to her but could see only two yellow pointed ears sticking out of the water. She climbed out and looked back at the water, blinked and shook her body and went out for a run again.
He is in the USAF and works as a dentist here in the Columbus AFB so his pilot instructor let me fly the simulator on his own time.
simulator controls
We are enjoying an extended stay here in Columbus as there is a good park close to walk with Maggi and restaurants and good stores and now that the weather has gotten warmer, it is a good stop for awhile.
Maggi decided to chase a duck and ran onto the green grass. Unfortunately it turned out to be hyacinths floating on the water so down went the Maggi. I ran to her but could see only two yellow pointed ears sticking out of the water. She climbed out and looked back at the water, blinked and shook her body and went out for a run again.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Columbus, Mississippi in the cool air
We headed south to escape the cold of St. Louis. Today it is cold in Mississippi. Maybe we need to keep moving south. We like this marina and get mail forwarded here and are getting our truck delivered from the Alton Marina because our friends, Oma and Kenneth are bringing it here and having Thanksgiving with us. How nice is that?
We spent a winter here about 4 years ago with other Loopers and enjoyed it. The town is historic and buildings downtown are listed in the Historic Registry as is the Methodist church used during the Civil War as a hospital for both North and South. It is a huge church and very active in doing things for the community and missions. Today they loaded 24,843 boxes of food destined to the Philippines for relief of the people without their homes after the storm. We enjoy this church and some remembered us from last time.
Mums given to me by daughter Lara are surviving from Boise to Mississippi but the cold weather may take them out.
We spent a winter here about 4 years ago with other Loopers and enjoyed it. The town is historic and buildings downtown are listed in the Historic Registry as is the Methodist church used during the Civil War as a hospital for both North and South. It is a huge church and very active in doing things for the community and missions. Today they loaded 24,843 boxes of food destined to the Philippines for relief of the people without their homes after the storm. We enjoy this church and some remembered us from last time.
Mums given to me by daughter Lara are surviving from Boise to Mississippi but the cold weather may take them out.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
November 20 Big Lock Day
Yesterday the Orinoco traveled down 6 locks in a single day. The river dropped some 400 feet since Pickwick Lake in Tennessee.
Picture taken while at
anchor in the beautiful
Bay Springs Lake in
Mississippi. The trees were in full glory in the evening sunshine
The first lock was Whitten Lock out of the beautiful Bay Springs Lake. This is an enormous lock that drops 85 feet and leaves us hanging on to the floating bollard for dear life! Down, down we go into the pit as water and slime from the lock drop on us. The boat tries to turn and twist in the wind and turbulent water but Patty hangs on unwilling to let the wind take the line from her grip.
Picture taken while at
anchor in the beautiful
Bay Springs Lake in
Mississippi. The trees were in full glory in the evening sunshine
A 9 Lock Day Heading South
Alas, we left the pretty lake and headed south again getting ready to go down a huge lock some 85 feet of drop out of the lake into the river. A big let down for sure!
This is the Whitten Lock. The wind was really blowing this day and as we tied to the bollard hanging on tightly as the boat swayed and tried to swing around. The turbulent waters flowed out of the lock as if someone pulled the plug and I held on to the end of the line around the bollard as it sunk at an incrediable rate. Down, down went the 44,000 pound boat into the pit as water and slime descended upon my head.
We made it and the swelling will go away in my right hand soon.
In the morning we only had one lock to look forward to conquering this day. We pulled anchor and proceeded down river toward Columbus, Mississippi going through the lock at Aberdeen then finally got to the Columbus Marina in the afternoon.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Orinoco moves south at last
It was a fun start to the new adventure heading south this fall. We left a group of the best friends we could have standing on the dock at the Alton Marina and we felt the mighty rumble of the big Cat engines straining against the lines that tied the ship to the land.
Off we went into the Mighty Mississippi again as it pushed us south along with its ever flowing current as a rush to the Gulf of Mexico. Through the first lock at Mel Price we floated on this river current waiting while tied to the concrete wall to open the lock and keep heading down river to Lock 27.
Another lock and now on to Hoppies for the first night and to say goodbye to Fern
who gave a good briefing to us and two other Loopers heading south without any place to tie up or get fuel for 257 miles. That would mean we must anchor at least two nights on the river.
Fern and Patty say goodbye after a pot luck meal with them on the house barge.
The big wide Mississippi pushes us along
This is what a modern lock looks like as you enter it.
We anchored in the Mississippi River behind a wing dam as the south wind hammered our efforts to point into the current. Giving way to the wind which was stronger than the current at this time, we pointed the bow and anchored in mud pointed downstream and the night was peaceful and two ancient mariners and one tired dog slept.
The following day we turned up the Ohio and encountered the wide muddy river flowing into the Mississippi and the fleeting yard of the barges going up and down river.
We passed by the new dam and lock site of Ohlstead which has been under construction for over a decade. When operational, it will replace the old, old outdated and ineffective Lock 52 and 53.
As we approached Lock 53 we were delighted to learn that the wickets are down and we can cruise over the dam. It is a function of water levels so we had no delay. Our elation was short in duration as we learned Lock 52 up another 20 miles is backed up with over 50 huge tows waiting to lock through up and down. Some had waited for over 3 days! What a big delay
After holding around the lock and finally dropping anchor near the bank for over 4 hours, the lockmaster had a window of opportunity for us and another private (pleasure) boat to hurry in and lock up while a downbound tow help back about 100 yards until we exited the lock.
The lock was literally falling apart as we waited. The lines picked up metal shavings off the round tubs we tied to and tried to keep our fenders high enough to keep from bumping the metal and concrete walls as the turbulent waters filled the chamber.
As darkness approached, we increased the throttle settings to try to get to our next anchorage. The big Cats responded growling in appreciation of the extra fuel circulating in the cylinders. As the moon came out and the last rays of the sun kissed the waters goodnight, we found the anchorage and dropped the hook hugging the bottom of the river.
This is a windless which has an electric motor and can roll out 300 feet of chain and anchor without any effort on my part except pressing the foot control. Beside it is the wash down hose to hose off mud on the return to the boat.
This is the other end of the chain in the water with the anchor holding the 44,000 pound boat to the bottom of the river.
Goodbye St.Louis
First sunset on the river.
Off we went into the Mighty Mississippi again as it pushed us south along with its ever flowing current as a rush to the Gulf of Mexico. Through the first lock at Mel Price we floated on this river current waiting while tied to the concrete wall to open the lock and keep heading down river to Lock 27.
Another lock and now on to Hoppies for the first night and to say goodbye to Fern
Fern and Patty say goodbye after a pot luck meal with them on the house barge.The big wide Mississippi pushes us along
This is what a modern lock looks like as you enter it.
We anchored in the Mississippi River behind a wing dam as the south wind hammered our efforts to point into the current. Giving way to the wind which was stronger than the current at this time, we pointed the bow and anchored in mud pointed downstream and the night was peaceful and two ancient mariners and one tired dog slept.
The following day we turned up the Ohio and encountered the wide muddy river flowing into the Mississippi and the fleeting yard of the barges going up and down river.
We passed by the new dam and lock site of Ohlstead which has been under construction for over a decade. When operational, it will replace the old, old outdated and ineffective Lock 52 and 53.
As we approached Lock 53 we were delighted to learn that the wickets are down and we can cruise over the dam. It is a function of water levels so we had no delay. Our elation was short in duration as we learned Lock 52 up another 20 miles is backed up with over 50 huge tows waiting to lock through up and down. Some had waited for over 3 days! What a big delay
After holding around the lock and finally dropping anchor near the bank for over 4 hours, the lockmaster had a window of opportunity for us and another private (pleasure) boat to hurry in and lock up while a downbound tow help back about 100 yards until we exited the lock.
The lock was literally falling apart as we waited. The lines picked up metal shavings off the round tubs we tied to and tried to keep our fenders high enough to keep from bumping the metal and concrete walls as the turbulent waters filled the chamber.
As darkness approached, we increased the throttle settings to try to get to our next anchorage. The big Cats responded growling in appreciation of the extra fuel circulating in the cylinders. As the moon came out and the last rays of the sun kissed the waters goodnight, we found the anchorage and dropped the hook hugging the bottom of the river.
This is a windless which has an electric motor and can roll out 300 feet of chain and anchor without any effort on my part except pressing the foot control. Beside it is the wash down hose to hose off mud on the return to the boat.
This is the other end of the chain in the water with the anchor holding the 44,000 pound boat to the bottom of the river.
Goodbye St.Louis
First sunset on the river.
Friday, October 4, 2013
An Exciting Time with Loopers
It is hard to believe it is October. At last the weather is wonderful with warm days and cool nights and best of all...Loopers. We enjoy the boaters as they adventure south in a Quest to complete the Americas Great Loop (AGLCA). Many just started in Wisconsin or Minnesota and arrived at the Alton Marina where they are greeted by the Harbor Hosts, Patty and Robert with the Maggi happily wagging her tail.
Such excitement as the boats pause here and are full of happy people with our same sense of adventure wondering what the Big River has in store for them the next 300 miles as the Mississippi joins up with the Ohio and the Ohio joins the Cumberland. As Robert explains in the nightly briefing, this section of the Loop may be the most difficult as boats much anchor on the rivers before reaching the Green Turtle Marina where fuel, food, stores await.
We enjoy telling them of the independence they will feel as they motor down the river with no fuel except 50 miles downstream at Hoppies. There will be no tow boats to snare them in an emergency except close to St. Louis and close to Green Turtle in Kentucky. They stock up on food, fuel and water here and have everything they need for the journey.
We take some to stores here and help find parts for items on the boats that they want to be repaired before leaving.
As we tell them of the hazards and fun of being self-sufficient on this portion of the rivers, we get so excited to go with them. We plan on it about November 1.
LOOPERS ENJOY A GOOD DINNER AT MAC'S IN ALTON, IL
ALTON MARINA UNDER THE CLARK BRIDGE HOME OF LOOPERS FOR A BRIEF STAY
Of course we cannot forget the other wonderful part of October: BASEBALL. Our Cardinals won the Central division and are in the playoffs with the Pirates. The first game was October 3 and we won! If you think people here are not caught up in Cardinal fever just look at the 40,000+ at each game.
Such excitement as the boats pause here and are full of happy people with our same sense of adventure wondering what the Big River has in store for them the next 300 miles as the Mississippi joins up with the Ohio and the Ohio joins the Cumberland. As Robert explains in the nightly briefing, this section of the Loop may be the most difficult as boats much anchor on the rivers before reaching the Green Turtle Marina where fuel, food, stores await.
We enjoy telling them of the independence they will feel as they motor down the river with no fuel except 50 miles downstream at Hoppies. There will be no tow boats to snare them in an emergency except close to St. Louis and close to Green Turtle in Kentucky. They stock up on food, fuel and water here and have everything they need for the journey.
We take some to stores here and help find parts for items on the boats that they want to be repaired before leaving.
As we tell them of the hazards and fun of being self-sufficient on this portion of the rivers, we get so excited to go with them. We plan on it about November 1.
Of course we cannot forget the other wonderful part of October: BASEBALL. Our Cardinals won the Central division and are in the playoffs with the Pirates. The first game was October 3 and we won! If you think people here are not caught up in Cardinal fever just look at the 40,000+ at each game.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Loopers visit Alton Marina
This month of September is busy with our favorite group, The AGLCA Great Loop as groups come down the Mississippi enroute to Great Turtle Marina on the Cumberland River. The two must stops on the rivers are Hoppies Marina about 50 miles from Alton where there is fuel, water, and a cute town within walking distance. Best of all they can meet Fern, owner of Hoppies. She and her husband have owned and operated the marina for decades and she knows all about the river downstream and is kind enough to share that knowledge with the Loopers as they set on the 200 miles with no services or marinas.
Loopers leave Hoppies and make about 50 miles per day requiring anchoring out on the Mississippi and also on the Ohio. The two locks, Lock 52 and 53 sometimes are backed up with the tows pushing barges to the Mississippi and from the Mississippi up the Ohio. When the river is higher, they sometimes lower the wickets and boats can simply pass over the lock without stopping. Now the river is low so they must wait for their turn in the locks.
Every day, new Loopers come to the marina so Maggi and I wander the docks in the afternoon to look for newcomers. We invite them to Robert's 5:30 briefing about going down the river. We get phone calls and emails from Loopers letting us pass on their experiences for the others behind them.
Loopers leave Hoppies and make about 50 miles per day requiring anchoring out on the Mississippi and also on the Ohio. The two locks, Lock 52 and 53 sometimes are backed up with the tows pushing barges to the Mississippi and from the Mississippi up the Ohio. When the river is higher, they sometimes lower the wickets and boats can simply pass over the lock without stopping. Now the river is low so they must wait for their turn in the locks.
Every day, new Loopers come to the marina so Maggi and I wander the docks in the afternoon to look for newcomers. We invite them to Robert's 5:30 briefing about going down the river. We get phone calls and emails from Loopers letting us pass on their experiences for the others behind them.
Monday, September 16, 2013
The Orinoco Readies for the Bahamas
This is September, 2013. After being away from the blog for a couple of years, we are getting ready to head south in October.
September finds the mariners at home on the good ship Orinoco having sold the house in Idaho and moving all the remaining items in storage in Montana. Now we are free to roam the rivers and oceans at will with no house to worry about all winter.
This is Looper season with many boaters sharing the adventure of the Great Loop coming down river from the Great Lakes and Chicago on the Illinois River to join the mighty Mississippi.
We are currently at the Alton Marina which is the finest marina anywhere! We are proud to serve as Harbor Hosts for the AGLCA (America Great Loop Cruisers Association)and as such we meet and greet fellow loopers and introduce them to the interesting things around town, take some to the grocery store and to Mac's Restaurant for the $15 steak.
Robert is installing a water maker for the Bahamas so we can anchor out and be independent of the expensive water we have to buy in the Bahamas.
September finds the mariners at home on the good ship Orinoco having sold the house in Idaho and moving all the remaining items in storage in Montana. Now we are free to roam the rivers and oceans at will with no house to worry about all winter.
This is Looper season with many boaters sharing the adventure of the Great Loop coming down river from the Great Lakes and Chicago on the Illinois River to join the mighty Mississippi.
We are currently at the Alton Marina which is the finest marina anywhere! We are proud to serve as Harbor Hosts for the AGLCA (America Great Loop Cruisers Association)and as such we meet and greet fellow loopers and introduce them to the interesting things around town, take some to the grocery store and to Mac's Restaurant for the $15 steak.
Robert is installing a water maker for the Bahamas so we can anchor out and be independent of the expensive water we have to buy in the Bahamas.
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