Sunday was truly all those things we love about Lkae Michigan...clear skies, gentle breeze, no waves, no salt, no sharks...26 miles at 8 miles an hour doesn't take long or require an early start. Ludington to Manistee...arrived around noon...seems to be three looper boats here...so we'll practice our social skills, tour the town...and head to Frankfort in the morning.

By the way, the Rolling Stones tribute concert in the park last night provided a nice backdrop to our dinner on the aft deck...and evening of leisure....we like Ludington!!

Friday night is Ludington is pretty exciting in July....guess we made the last one! They shut down Main Street, stores stay open late, vendors appear, children's activities materialize...it's small town America at its best! No parade though! We had some pretty good BBQ at the Q...walked the streets with the masses...and enjoyed some Kilwin's ice cream. Exhausting work but we were up to it!

It's been a fun day...gave a couple of boat tours to folks walking the dock. One couple operates an asparagus farm...another were UM sleep disorder techs...Floyd says I need to quit bringing home strays! Ha, I say...what if they can cook??? We keep telling them we'll be in the area for the next couple of years...hopefully, they'll keep in touch and we can have passengers who cook!!

So far Saturday has started quite nicely...we enjoyed a late special breakfast with the locals at CHEF JOHN'S BAKERY AND DELI... Definitely not fast food...and quite pleasant, off-the-path choices. Floyd's egg sandwich had prosciutto...my french toast was made with Apple cinnamon bread!! Tonight is the free concert in the park next to the marina...Rolling Stones tribute band. Must be good as folks started leaving their lawn chairs in rows on Thursday afternoon...the place is filling up. We think we'll be able to hear them from the aft deck just fine. Though we may do a walk by just to check them out!

Tomorrow we plan to head to Manistee..26 miles...and I have some cinnamon nut concoction to keep us from starvation! Hehehehe!

How did it get to be Friday already??? I've missed some exciting things....not really...

We had a great meal at the Kirby House...but Floyd wouldn't allow two ice creams in the same day...so back to the boat...Water fountain show on Tuesday night was pretty impressive...We left Grand Haven early Wednesday morning...spotted a fawn and two babies drinking from the water across the inlet...don't see that every day.

Arrived at White Lake right on schedule...though it was about three miles up the lake to arrive at the marina. Small place...smaller town...nice big public park adjacent to the marina with lots of shade. Floyd found a post office and Dakota and I opted to nap...oh, and two rounds of serious squeaky ball. Leftovers for supper tonight...nothing special going on here. Weather check gave us a little concern so we decided to leave really early and go to Ludington instead of our previously planned stop at Pentwater. If we're going to be held captive by weather let it be Ludington.

5:30 AM rolls around rather quickly...and our first couple of hours were as planned...then wind started to shift directions...and the next couple of hours were not exactly comfortable. We rounded a point toward Ludington and it began to settle down. We arrived with a troop of other boats...coming and going...got our gas and pump out...had some lunch...walked the dog...then I went to bed!

There are lots of friendly folks here...we met a guy who had piloted F-4 Phantoms in the Air Force at McConnell...fun chatting with him. Two Loopers here headed south...we spent time with both of them. Hopefully able to calm their fears about the mighty Mississippi and the river hell they'll face on the Illinois....they are headed out today.

Our big adventure today was the dial-a-ride bus trip to the grocery store...naps are once again on the agenda. Rains last night have cooled things to the low 80s...gonna be a pleasant weekend. We plan to eat out at the new Q restaurant tonight...attend the free park concert on Saturday night (some Rolling Stone tribute group...just a little different from the Clown Band we saw last time we were here). More looper boats have arrived ...so we'll be practicing those social skills!! Looking forward to heading toward home in a couple of weeks. It's all good!!!!

Tuesday's travel to Grand Haven was a good reminder of all the things we love about Lake Michigan...smooth water, clear skies, gentle breeze...the three hours went really quickly...we left Holland around 7 AM and arrived here around 10 AM....A 20 minute walk to Home Depot, haircuts at Great Clips....lunch time...Floyd and Dakota opted for a nap while I went to town. I scouted out a place for supper and returned with a couple of enormous cinnamon rolls for tomorrow's breakfast. Two looper boats had arrived so I practiced my social skills...friendly folks headed south ...asking lots of questions. We are having some electrical issues...the outside breakers keep popping...so we decided to move to a different slip...but same issue there. It is warm today and there at lots of boats running ACs full blast, I'm sure....we think it's their issue not ours...tonight we'll stay up to watch the musical fountain show (10:10 pm)....tomorrow we head to White Lake/ White Hall...just another short hop with not much on the other end this time.  Grand Haven is a busy town...lots of folks walking around town and kids playing in the water fountain at the marina. Tons of folks lounging in the shade or looking for Pokemon....really!! Floyd's excited that there was ice cream at the dock...and then I told him there's a Kilwin's in town....so maybe we'll have two ice creams today!!

Sunday was a do nothing kind of day...and the wind howled. We are parked against the wall right at the restaurant entrance...so almost everyone wants to chat. They don't get many "loopers" ....interestingly, most seem to have the same questions. Floyd thought maybe he could just make a recording...but I keep assuring him that it is good to practice his social skills. We did grab a burger at the restaurant last night...totally different atmosphere...I think we were one of five tables...same blonde waitress, though I think maybe she was more intimidated tonight than last night...whatever that was about!

Monday morning and Floyd has had to replace one dock line...seems that rubbing on that cement piling caused so much fraying that it was almost worn through.  We are lucky he found that in time to save us from being slammed into the dock.  Weather and wind seems to be calming down...looks good for heading north again tomorrow. Just going three hours to Grand Haven. The big sailboat race from Chicago to Mackinaw was this weekend so we expect to encounter some of them heading back south... Followed some of that on Marine Traffic app...over 300 boats registered. That was a lot of dots moving on our section of the lake yesterday.

Last night this place was deserted....pretty typical of marinas...we expect even fewer folks around today...I'm planning to do a few delicate laundry items...play some serious squeaky ball with sweet Dakota...and start a new book....oh, and cook something for supper. Restaurant is closed tonight. But first I guess I'd better get out of these jammies!!

While Saturday didn't go exactly as planned...we'll take it! Thank you very much! Dakota was off to the groomer at 8:30 and I must say she did a great job...he was finished ahead of schedule...so I made a quick call to the bus for transportation to the local grocery store...thinking that by the time I returned the AC mechanic would be hard at work. Well, not so much....he finally stopped by at 12:30 saying the part was here ( just a small fortune to make that happen) and he had just 30 minutes of work to finish on another boat, then he'd be right here...well, that didn't happen either. Thirty minutes became two hours...the guys at Coral Gables Marina had a chance to rent our slip and were anxious for us to vacate...Doug the mechanic needed to go to his marina to get attachment pieces...long story short...we ended up moving TUMBLEWEED to Tower Marine for another couple of hours. Dakota and I found a shady cool spot and friendly people. The good news is that at 5o'clock the ACs were up and running...generator on...we headed into the boat parade coming and going from Saugatuck...just a little over an hour later we joined the boat parade coming and going from Holland....now we remember why we don't travel on weekends! Quick stop at the fuel dock for pump out and directions...I had the perfect view of the 6 lane boat ramp and the parade of boats/jet skis waiting in line to use them...we pull into our slip and are all secure by 8.... Storms are coming...we quickly headed to the yacht club restaurant...coulda been a big mistbake. It was more than warm in there...and packed. And just to let you know what a fiasco it was...we left at 10:20. We went to the bar to get our own drink refills...and waited for over an hour for our food! It was mighty tasty...so we were glad we waited..but really!! At least turn up the AC.

Early this morning, the thunderstorm arrived....Dakota and I slept liked we'd been drugged or something. Floyd even came back to take a little nap...and we slept on. I think these last few days of no ACand other folks enjoying some late night revelry have taken a toll on this ol' gal. Winds and waves on the lake will hold us here until probably Tuesday...not much planned...reading and napping are agenda items for today!!

It's Friday...and we've done about all you can do in Saugatuck. It is a fun little town...with two, yes, two Kilwin ice cream stores! Floyd has visited them daily!! Dakota gets groomed in the morning then we hope to head on to Holland....there is just a tiny little issue with the AC...seems the raw water pump is giving up...which means no AC... That middle of the night discovery has not been easy...temps in the upper 80s today have been bearable...but the repair person who said he could come on Wednesday did not win the award. Floyd found one who came this afternoon...and for a small fortune will have the part here in the morning. Worth it!! So stay tuned to see how all that works.

Wednesday...July 20... We are outta here...little less than four hours to Saugatuck...but really got our money's worth at St Joseph...four huge loads of free laundry...big load of trash left behind...great grassy shade where Dakota ran with a little Havanese puppy and played squeaky ball.

Saugatuck is a quaint little town...not much room for transients...so we have had to drop the dinghy and stern in to an open slip...we climb down the swim ladder and exit off the swim platform to a ladder attached to the wall. And it is one of the most expensive marinas we've visited! ..Dakota is not too thrilled with this drill as he needs the support of his life jacket for Floyd to lift him....and the heat has come up. But no matter how hot it gets here, it is always hotter in Kansas. Plus we know the heat here will only last about a week or two. This marina is right on the "Boardwalk" just off the main drag ...lots of foot traffic. Floyd has already given two boat tours and met folks from Texas who want to buy a boat. He needs to start charging admission...could help buy gas!! Lol

We did walk around a bit today...but once we discovered the Kilwin's ice cream store we were done!! Before that, we managed to locate the dog store where Dakota is set up for a full groom on Saturday morning...we are thinking that if the weather and groomer timing all works, we'll probably head out on Saturday afternoon. This town is all about decoration shops and women's clothing...fine for me but a bit much for more than a day for Floyd. Holland is our next stop...and it is just 9 miles north...less than two hours. Think we can handle that...plus this climbing the swim platform will grow old quickly, I'm sure!

Tuesday...July 19....a great reminder of all the things we like about Lake Michigan...no waves...little breeze..we are the only boat motoring though we did see gobs of fisherman. Quick stop at the self service gas/pump out station (Captain is still not happy with that front head...and he's thrown enough time and money at it ...shoulda just bought a new one)....everyone enjoyed the four hour cruise to St Joseph. We're on the opposite side of water from the town...and washer/dryer is free...so we are calling the rest of this day LAUNDRY TIME! Taco Tuesday...and laundry.  Weather looks to be nice again tomorrow... But more than a little iffy on Thursday so we will head on in to Saugatuck...it's gonna be way more fun!!

What a great stop Michigan City, Indiana has been! Plenty of grass for sweet Dakota...mansion, zoo, outlet mall, and restaurants. I made serious contributions to Vera Bradley, Talbots, Eddie Bauer and Harry and David...we had fun at their little zoo...would have visited the Lighthouse Museum but it's closed on Monday. Wish I had brought my Fit Bit...I've walked miles today.

Tomorrow we head to St Joseph...weather looks really good" but that can change in a heart beat....as we we'll know. Nothing really there. We are just trying to reverse the negative experience we had there in 2011 ... Stayed at a dumpy marina on the Benton Harbor side...so we've been calling it St Joe/ Benton Harlem ever since. We'll see how that works for us this time. Saugatuck is our next fun harbor...great little community...lots of shops and restaurants...plus Dakota is scheduled for a groom!! Boy, is he ready...and so are we!!

We had grand plans to dress and visit the casino in Hammond...but after that nap, we thought leftovers and hitting the sack early was a better alternative. We aren't as young and energetic as we thought!
So 7 AM departure went well...even though the lake was a bit rougher than we had thought, we knew it was a short trip to Michigan City. About an hour in to our three hour trip, Coast Guard issued a small craft warning for our spot of Lake Michigan....and a quick check of the weather showed a fast moving line of thunderstorms with lots of lightning headed our way! Holy €#%$, batman....Captain bumped our cruising speed up to 12 MPH...and we flew into our slip, lines tied and electric on....and the rains came!! Didn't last long, but winds are still gusting at over 20 MPH. That's life on Lake Michigan! No plans to go anywhere soon.

We headed to town to play tourist at Barker Mansion Museum...grabbed lunch/supper at Matey's on our way home. Napping, blogging, rest and relaxation will fill the remainder of this day. Tomorrow Floyd's headed to another museum...and I'm headed to the local outlet mall...over 100 stores just blocks from our boat! We shall see what we shall see! So much better than river life! We have nothing on our agenda except an appointment with that dog groomer in Saugatuck on Saturday.

Saturday...July 16...Captain turns the big seven - 0!! It's a great day to be on the lake...temps in the 70s...waves are a little higher than we like but very doable....so special breakfast for the Captain...squeaky ball onshore to wear Dakota down...11ish and we are off...a little 14 mile jaunt to Hammond, Indiana...2 hours later we arrive at rush hour on the fuel dock! Cigarette boats are making a mass exodus and everyone needs gas! We manage and park...a minor glitch once we get to our slip with the pass gate card (someone forgot to activate it)... And we seem exhausted! A little meet and greet at the docks...a little birthday celebration...a little nap...a little supper...yep, it's about bed time. I will say the folks around here are mighty friendly. But alas, tomorrow we head to Michigan City. We plan to be there a couple of days..touristy things to do...and the only deadline we have now is an appointment with a dog groomer in Saugatuck on Saturday the 23rd...we can handle this!!

Thursday in the Windy City...we got plans to mingle with the masses! Short walk and mass transit bus ride to Wrigley Field ...met our friend, MaryEllen Hendricks, for an early lunch at Yak-sees...then found scalp tickets that were awesome (first base side, on the aisle, mid way up)(not cheap...but not overpriced either)...did a little shopping  (those grandsons need Cubs wear)....helped the Cubs win over the Texas Rangers without freezing...headed to the El train a little early only to be caught in the mad exit because it had started to rain...we managed just fine...and returned to the TUMBLEWEED in a light drizzle.... Dakota was well rested. So once the rain cleared, we played squeaky ball until he couldn't keep up! Tonight we have reservations at our favorite...WEBER GRILL RESTAURANT (which happens to be across the street from a grocery store)....so we'll be stocked and ready for action. We'll be celebrating...no more locks or skanky river!! KJ...Jack Daniels...beef!!

Tomorrow is Floyd's actual birthday...though he has been celebrating for awhile...we plan to head to Hammond, Indiana...14 miles (2 hours) ..around noon...cause a man should drive his boat on his birthday! And he'll get to fly his Indiana flag....anything to keep the man happy!!

Wednesday was a do-nothing day...drizzle, rain, nice breeze...talked to lock master in the morning to see how things were going...he assured me that things were going according to plan in spite of the weather and to listen to VHF 14... About opening at 7pm. We didn't need to listen because the tows stared showing up...and moving through...but we did have our radio on. Fixed a great pork tender on the grill..and went to bed early as we wanted to make it to Chicago ASAP. About 9 PM, our AC water flow was really low...and pump seemed to be making strange noises...so we shut things down and opened windows...Floyd's thought was that river sludge was restricting either in take or outflow and as soon as we moved away from the wall things would eternal to normal. Tows passed through all night...

5 AM is really early...but the bridge tenders were more the pleased to coordinate their openings and we arrived at the lock at 5:45....only to be told that they were closing at 6... That guy got an earful of frustration from this ol gal...he admitted that they knew we were down there...knew we were coming...and yet made NO attempt to communicate with us...Really!! Got to obey rules, ma'am...you'll be first up when we open at 10.... Yeah, right!  Thankfully they had a short cement wall we could tie to while we continued to wait....

Two tows showed up at 12 or we'd probably still be sitting there. WILLIAM C pushing a six-pack of sand and gravel and light tow JOANNE...got them moving big time. And of course, we got to tag along....we left the lock at 1PM...we have giggled more than once about winning the award for patience and bad timing...from first call to lock through, we've concluded our wait for lockage at Lockport Lock And Dam was 52 hours. So ready to be done with river and locks...but one more.

Figuring we'd make it to our slip before it got dark...and with any luck at the last lock maybe by 6:30...we somehow neglected to consider that we'd be transiting downtown Chicago during rush hour.  Lucky for us, river traffic wasn't never as bad as road traffic ...and we can sneak under all bridges except one...we called him and he said rush hour started for them at 4:30... No way we could go fast enough and still have gas to get there before then....so I called back and whined...he said "so maybe you'll have to wait 15 -20 minutes".... Woo hoo...we came around the corner...honk honk...10 foot railroad bridge lifts and we scoot through. The lock at Navy Pier was busy and we went right through...6:35... We are in our slip, tied secure and Dakota is relieved. We are actually in the same slip we had here three weeks ago...every thing familiar and wonderful....off the river and no more locks!! Time for celebration!! But we're old and tired...and just want to eat and go to bed! So we did! BTW, Floyd was right about the AC...working just fine! (But you should have seen the mess of sludge that we had trapped between us and the wall...skanky!)

Two days on the wall in beautiful downtown Joliet...no restaurants (unless you count Wendy's three blocks away)...no grocery store or laundry in the area...no water...but electricity is free and we've got books, oreos, chips and dip!!! Diet Coke, Pepsi and alcohol...We've got shade shade...lots of shade and grass for sweet Dakota...and plenty of folks walking around staring into their phones looking for Pokemon Go...what a deal!!!

 Talked with the Lock master this morning and they are on track to open at 7 PM tonight...with a long backlog of tows headed south. We plan to listen in on VHF 14 to that chatter...but for now, we are planning to head to Chicago in the morning. Corps rule is that every third lock through should include a pleasure craft, if they are waiting. We are planning to be in sight of the lock master...waiting... since we are north bound, shouldn't be an issue. Stay tuned to see how that works for us!!! lol

In the meantime, we've made some cruising plans, booked a grooming for Dakota, ordered cigars, paid bills, and napped!!!! I'm waiting to purchase Cubs tickets until we really arrive in Chicago. Floyd's birthday is this weekend...BIG Celebration...Woo Hoo...

Our luck will surely change! We started today so hopeful...and No waiting at Brandon Road Lock and Dam...they'd be open and ready for us when we got there...we were in the midst of a "happy dance" when lock master said...not so fast! Lockport lock is CLOSED for the next 36 hours!! WTF!!!


 We are living right! On the way down three weeks ago, we traveled with a couple of other boats and spent time on a cement wall in Joliet waiting for a lock opening (of course)...pretty rough neighborhood but the locals pointed out free electricial outlets for mooring...if need be, they said great free stop....boy, oh, boy, did that information save the day!! So here it is....9ish on Tuesday morning and we are trapped by maintainance at the next lock! No laundry near by...a few chores we could do...rain is due to arrive later tonight....we are done for a couple of days! Not where you'd really plan to spend a couple of days...but as my colleague Ralph Teran use to say....it could be much worse!! I'm calling it another part of a miracle...God's timing to delay our visit in Chicago until the Cubs return!! Linda and Floyd ARE going to Wrigley Field!!! And Weber grill!! Woo hoo!! So worth it!!

Monday...July 11...Starved Rock to Harborside...40 miles...2 locks... We are starting to count each lock as a four hour turn. Thinking that if we make it through in less than four hours, we've earned some sort of honor! This day was no exception...tows and barges are backed up...waiting waiting waiting. We anchored and enjoyed a cool breeze at the first lock of the day just outside of Ottawa. Then, they had us ride up with a light tow (he had no barges) and we both "shot the gap"... That little space between the end of the lock, the waiting barges and the cement cells that keep folks from going over the dam. Turn time at this lock was 4 hours and 10 minutes. Current is getting to be less of an issue as we get closer to Chicago so we made great speed up river to lock number two. Made up for the extra 10 minutes at lock one. Not that it did us any good...again, tows waiting on both sides...lockmaster says, "come on down and anchor between my island and the two cement cells on the left bank where I can see you...I'll try to get you up but it is going to be a while...as in at least four hours." Even though it looked like a rather precarious site, we did it! 2:40 in the afternoon and we are less than 3 miles from our stop for the night....but we can't get there! Captain Floyd fired up the generator and AC ...Dakota and I were very comfortable, thank you so very much. Reading and snuggling took up our afternoon...Floyd, on the other hand, had a ringside seat for all that was happening at the lock. Smoking cigars and supervision of that work kept him occupied...did you know that tows have groceries delivered to the locks? No wonder it takes so long. We knew SAM FLEMING was a down bound split...and were ever so hopeful that they could pull his first set of barges forward enough to squeeze us in for the up switch....and sure enough...suddenly lockmaster is saying get in here...up anchor (more difficult than usual, as Floyd had caught some sort of iron piece in the anchor)...but we "shot that gap" and then "shot the other gap" getting out!  6:25 pm and we are tied to the dock at Harborside! Woo hoo!

Our dilemma for tomorrow is 55 miles and THREE locks...the last one at Navy Peir won't be an issue..these tows and barges don't go that way...too many tour boats and water taxis...but the other two locks, oh my! That adds at least 8 hours (could be more) to our already long travel day. Our AIS app shows boats backed up on both sides of both locks..and we know the ones we traveled with today will be added to that traffic. Our only hope is that they work through the night to get them through...and because we're a pleasure craft they will work to fit us in. Floyd's getting really proficient at "shooting the gap"...

Sunday...July 10...sun rise start...a really pleasant time to be headed north...we made good time...and experienced great weather...and then it all feel apart! Starved Rock Lock and Dam...less than two miles from our stop for the night...1:30 in the afternoon...TWO tows with chemical barges put a stop to every thing... They said it would be at least four hours...and they were right. We pulled off the channel and anchored...took Dakota to shore thinking that would help...but since he was so distracted, his business didn't happen. We weren't too uncomfortable with a little breeze...but really....at about 4:30 a down bound tow arrived and we reminded the lockmaster that we were still here waiting...he announced that we should move closer and that they would split the CITY OF CHICAGO and we could ride up with him. WOW...what a ride that proved to be...with his barges blocking the exit and him in front of us...we had to slip around him, go between his barges, the holding cells and the down bound tow...but at 6 PM...we did it...it sure beat waiting another 4 hours.

Around the bend to discover that someone else was parked at the gas dock, so we entered the narrow channel into the marina...picked a slip...parked, walked the dog (he was ever so relieved), headed straight to the bar/restaurant...just saying it is 8:30 PM and This ol' gal is not long for the world! This day has been forever...we have two more probably just like it or worse before we reach Chicago. But then we are done with locks and skanky river water!! There's light at the end of this tunnel!

Friday we left Tall Timbers...and Arrived at Peoria ...Illinois Valley Yacht Club (IVY) as planned...200 gallons of gas and a pump out...headed to the pool to cool down...dinner in a very cold dining area...and we were done in!

Saturday Floyd outdid himself with the special breakfast...cream cheese stuffed french toast...ooooohh la la...Dakota and I slept in and then after breakfast found some wonderful shady grass to play squeaky ball....we managed a few boat chores but really this was to be a totally down day... I visited the pool...Floyd worked on a little trip planning...we decided that early starts would need to happen because the locks are so busy and ssssooooo slow! With a 530 AM start on Sunday...we grabbed a burger at the bar and skipped the tiki party....oh, the sacrifices!!

PHOTOS that need posting...

The Captain on the rocky rolly Mississippi...June 19th...Father's Day...changing our gold Looper flag for a PLATINUM one. Pretty darn special. We've only seen two others in the eight years we've been looping. wonder if anyone will know what it means??? They sure seem to know the Gold flag.

Two of the reasons I went back to Wichita...grandsons Ryne ( 3 1/2) and Cal ( 9 months) ...swim like fish...busy boys. Cal is already walking...My girl Kelli is in big trouble keeping up with these two...but she is more than capable. She's always had energy to spare!!! I'm thinking these two will take care of that!

My good friend Dee and I (we've known each other a long long time!!!) ...sporting our TUMBLEWEED shirts and curly hair. Dee discovered all about boat life humidity ...can't fight it...just go with it!!!

July 7...Thursday...Rain and storms predicted for the morning arrived right on schedule...we slept in...and piddled around. After lunch we made that trek to the Dollar General...and I'm catching up on that blog!!!! Tomorrow we head 48 miles to Peoria...Illinois Valley Yacht Club...gas, pump out and pool time. May spend another day there just because...I mean they have a four-star restaurant and a pool...why not??? Plans are to be in Chicago on Tuesday...and, of course, we entend a return visit to the Weber Grill...which is just across the street from a big grocery store...two for one taxi ride!!! That's the plan for now...stay tuned to see how all this works out. Against current is an adventure...every thing takes longer!!!!

July 6...It is raining...at 6 AM, Lock master says "we've got a tow in now...when he leaves better be ready for us to lock you up...otherwise, it'll be three hours or more, cause a big double is headed this way. Oh, by the way, if lightning strikes within five miles, we shut down for at least 30 minutes." Dakota and I went back to bed until we got the call to scurry on over.  So sorry, Dakota, no trip to shore for you this morning. We were through the lock at 8:30AM...and parked at Tall Timbers at 1:35. Dakota wasted no time getting to shore...temps today were much cooler and a little breeze helped as well. In a classic case of good timing, wind kicked up and stormy weather appeared after we were docked. Water level here is quite a bit lower than when we were here June 17th...who knew there was a small dam at the end of these docks???? Dakota got plenty of play time with that squeaky ball...and we plan to take a down day Thursday...catch up on communications and run to the local Dollar Store for a few supplies. More rain is coming.

July 5...bright and early...in dense fog, we headed out of Grafton (cell phone hell) and pushing our way north. We are going against current for a couple of miles of Mississippi... and still against current in the Illinois River. We have 80 miles to our anchorage just short of the LaGrange Lock and Dam...for the first  two hours, we couldn't even see the shore line...tows and barges were stopped  as I'm sure they couldn't see to the front of the barges they were pushing. Thank goodness for excellent radar...we felt our way along quite nicely. Around 10 the sun finally burned away the fog and it began to heat up in earnest. I was once again nursing an upset stomach...so Dakota and I stayed below most of the afternoon with generator/AC blasting.We did manage to get 7.5 miles an hour without too much effort.  Once again, who should we encounter????...WAYNE P LAGRANGE...I'm beginning to think of him as our big personal good luck charm!  Just a little after 5PM we arrived at our sandy shady beach and dropped anchor. We took Dakota ashore and dropped a stern anchor as well. Then Floyd talked to the lock master who said..."NOPE, we'd like you up here in front of the house on stilts". REALLY!!! So, yes, lucky us! Got plenty of anchoring practice in the heat! Cause you always do what the lock master says especially when you still need to lock through. Leftover supper of Dee's Skinny pasta...Dakota ashore one more time...then it was generator off for the night. Thunderstorms came...and were still hanging around in the morning. Delightful!!!

July 7...While we loved our time in Grafton for a variety of reasons, we were trapped in what we began to call cell phone and internet HELL. Seems to be the only place where our Verison coverage was a challenge. AT&T is the service of choice in that area and every one else suffers big time. We were no exception. We could rarely make and receive phone calls...texts usually went through...and internet was practically nonexistent.  So here's what happened while we were off line...

I made it to Wichita and back safely...My mission to find suitable mother of the groom attire was successful...rehearsal dinner is in the making...Muriel made a great carrot cake for me to deliver to her baby brother (he has a birthday coming up) and all other items on my list of things to do were accomplished. Two are worthy of narration...

1. Those pesky could not find anywhere extra camera batteries and re-chargers. Of course, I visited the local camera shop and he special ordered the things I needed. When i picked them up, I immediately unpackaged them and went to the "camera drawer" to see if I had a small bag to put them in...and what did I find there!!! Yep, you guessed it...the extra batteries and re-chargers!!! Seems as though I'd never gotten out of the house with them after all! Sometimes I am a mess!!!

2. Floyd's Invisalign trays...Yes, both Floyd and I are wearing those invisible braces. (My supply would last until we returned; Floyd's would not.) The dentist had said before we left that I just needed to call and they would order the next 10 sets for Floyd. I called...seems there were a few issues...once we worked through all that...they were concerned about whether or not the new trays would arrive before I left town on Wednesday to return to the boat. We had a plan B in the works...when a miracle occurred. As I was sitting in the dentist waiting area for my quick exam Wednesday morning, the UPS lady delivered Floyd's new trays! Crossed plan B out...and made it out of town with everything on the list!!!!

I returned Mom to Fredonia, did laundry and made it back to St Charles around 2:30pm...Ann and Bob Kallemeier were kind enough to pick me up and drive me back to the TUMBLEWEED, now in Grafton. We had a lovely dinner together that night.

Friday afternoon we were joined by Dee and Craig, friends from Wichita. They stayed through the soggy Fourth celebrations. We had such fun...but the weather was anything but cooperative. I'm sad to say the highlight of the trip was probably our journey to Wal-mart. We ate well...explored Grafton...watched fireworks...shared knowledge about boating, tows and barges...and Asian Carp...we probably consumed too much alcohol...but hey, they were on holiday.

They headed out early Tuesday morning for Wichita...and we cruised out shortly thereafter headed back toward Chicago.