Two Full Days on the Mighty Miss

Rick said it was important for everyone to know that we actually have 90 gallons of gas for our trip.  This part of the trip is very interesting and we have learned a great deal.  Today we met 19 tows and had 1 pass us.  We have learned the river lingo of "southbound pleasure boat at (mile marker) seeing northbound tow, where do you want us?"  The response will be "hang to the black (green markers) or possibly 1 whistle, which means that we should meet left to left, or bow to bow.  I have a little problem with this, but I'm getting better.

Rick sometimes has me use the marine radio because someone told him that tows respond better to women than men.  I can honestly say, we have not found that to be the case, but I still talk on the radio. 

We spent our first night out tied up along the Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam.  We were there with 4 other boats.  These four are big sail boats and most of us have similar destinations.  Two are heading to the Bahamas for the winter.  Another is heading home to Louisianna and I am a little unsure about the other boat as they do not talk as much.  One of the men heading to the Bahamas is the past Special Education Director in Minneapolis AND NO we do not talk shop.  Actually, we have visited more with his wife, who also was a teacher. 

We all spent Thursday night in what I would describe as a little cove south of Cape Girardeau.  Of course we were all anchored so there wasn't much communication.  It is nice to be with other boats just in case there are problems.  The above pontoon was full of party people who were out enjoying the 90 degree weather.  When the sun went down, the warm weather left us. 

Our highs are to be in the low 70's today and the night time is to be very cold.  No electricity means no heat for us!  It does mean we will use the oven or stove for some warmth.

We were the last to leave the cove this morning.  We had some trouble getting our anchors up.  It was one muddy mess.  A giant tow was crossing our path so we waited for reentry to the river.  We entered into extremely turbulent waters.  At one point the front of the boat got pushed under and it was very scary.  In fact, I've only been this afraid twice before when boating.  One was in 1993 during a storm at Lake of the Ozarks, and the other just happened last summer on our old pontoon.  I did pull out the life jackets but thankfully, we did not need them.  Luckily, we did not lose anything from the front of the boat and the good thing was that it cleaned off the muddy mess from the anchors!

We are far behind the others and a little unsure where we anchor tonight.  I am looking forward to finding a dock/marina again in a few days. 

Today there is a great deal of wind and thankfully it is from the north.  This means we are currently running at a speed of 8.9 mph.  We have one more "rough spot" on the Mississippi and then we will begin fighting the current on the Ohio.  We were once told the current was very strong and the locks were all open, however last night we called and were told it is not very strong.  We are hoping the latest news was correct. 

Take care everyone and have a great weekend.