We started our journey at 6:30 this morning with some apprehension. What would the weather be like? Would our engines work? Would our generator work? Would I be able to work?
The answers: Rainy and then hot as h-e double hockey sticks, sort of, yes, and nope.
The Weather
The forecast called for an 8% chance of rain and a high of 37° C (98.6° F). This was worrisome since neither of us tolerates extreme heat very well. For me anything above 27° C (80° F) is extreme. When it started to rain and then began to pour, we thought that might help minimize the heat.
By the time we got to Hoppies, though, the rain had stopped.
The Engines
Around 1pm, we hit something. I sure hope it wasn’t the lawn chair finally wrapping itself around our propeller.
I forgot to mention a few nights ago I lost one of our lawn chairs. I had been bringing it down from the fly bridge and placed it on the stairs so I could grab the rail and manoeuvre my way around the brooms that were also on the stairs.
Greg claims I propelled the chair down the stairs towards him, a claim I vehemently deny.
Gravity took hold and the chair slid down the stairs, ricocheted off the wall, shot out the open starboard door, hit the dock, and slid into the water. It disappeared immediately.
I thought it was funny the way it evaded both our grasps but Greg was not amused. He was afraid that, with our luck, the chair straps would wrap themselves around our props.
And now Starby is shaking like a leaf and going chugga, chugga, chugga.
We have no choice to keep going, though. We really hope the drive shaft and propeller are okay.
At around 4:10, we arrive at Kaskaskia Lock and Dam, our tie-off space for the night. There is no power, so no air conditioning and no refrigerator.
Martin on the Celeste helped us dock. He told us we had to check in, but I think he was pulling our leg. The only way off this wall is by boat or by ladder, which is 50 feet straight up and made of metal.
On the plus side, it’s the 10th anniversary of our first date. We celebrate by sitting as still as possible and watching each other sweat.
The Generator
Genny, bless her heart, is working so we treat ourselves to some power. We have to conserve fuel, though, so we shut her off after an hour.
The Work
Since the stock market is dropping more and more each day, I have to work to keep myself in chicken cacciatore. I bought a tower through Metro T-Mobile and wanted to see if we could get internet en route. In order to get internet, I also had to get a cell phone with data, but that’s okay since my Rogers phone didn’t work in the States.
I had my new phone for two days and then it died. So now I have no phone and no internet when we’re underway.
We have enough rest days that I can keep up with work. I also created some online stores and am flogging some online products that I use on the boat. If you’re curious, check out my Products I Love page. The stores will be up in a few days.
