Good thing we are Waiting!

Our last trip to LaCrosse was not the joy we were planning.  The boat motor wasn't running very good.  In fact, it had to be guided into the sling to be taken out of the water.  That means we are now looking for a different motor for the boat between now and spring!  I guess we should be glad we discovered the problem in LaCrosse, rather than in the middle of the river!

We did spend some time at the first Lock we will be passing through.  At this time there is only about 1 foot difference in the water level at this spot.  We traveled down the river road a ways and enjoyed some beautiful scenery.

Upon return from Wisconsin we went to the Jug in Chenoa to meet our friends from Montana.  While there, we met a young man that  actually did the trip we are planning but instead of stopping at Mobile, he and his grandparents went all the way to Sarasota, Florida.  The boat he was in was twice the size of ours!!!  He did not seem to enjoy the waves on the Gulf but did like the other part of the trip.  That got us excited again.

Rick and I began to get on each other's nerves a little during this part of the trip.  I think that we are both worn out of optimism.  I think some time in Florida, Texas and Arizona will help renew our spirit.

Check a few of  these shots.  And until next April, That's All for Rick and Diane's Big Adventure!

Heading Back to LaCrosse

Our decision for this fall has been made.  We will head back to LaCrosse in our rented car tomorrow.  We will also take the truck to bring home food in the boat and the motorcycle.  The marina will take our boat out of the water on Tuesday morning and it will remain there until sometime in April. 
In April we will need to decide if we will travel a little way down river and finish the trip in August, or if we will simply leave it in the water for the summer in LaCrosse and do the entire journey in August.  Hopefully, we will not have the flooding issue next August.
We will simply keep the blog spot so you can see how well Rick and Diane get along as a retired couple!  Only kidding (it was Patti's idea)!  I just think that I can occasionally post where we are and when the trip time comes, if interested, you will all have the site information.
Some people have mentioned that they cannot comment on the blog.  I have made it so only followers can comment.  This keeps any random person from making comments.  Of course, you can always e-mail us at rdtrachsel@gmail.com  

Looking forward to the arrival of friends from Montana this week.  Originally, we had hoped they could join us on the river.  Guess we'll visit in Chenoa instead.  Diane

Back In Chenoa

We arrived home about 9:30 this evening.  Before leaving LaCrosse we did some checking on having the boat taken out of the water to be dry-docked for the winter in case we want to do the trip next summer.  We also checked on a slip to put it in the water in April to enjoy a time or two over the summer.  We are strongly considering waiting until next August to do the trip.  They say this fall flood only happens about once every 50 years.  It is not so bad in LaCrosse, nor is it real bad where the Mississippi is wide.  The problem is that the weather is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and the entire scope of the trip seems to be changing.
We are both really looking forward to doing the trip.  The reality is, it may be one year behind schedule.  We have the week to think about it and make our decision.  We'll keep in touch and let everyone know what we decide.
Thanks again to all of you who helped get the boat out of the shed!  Without you, we couldn't even have enjoyed the wonderful 10 days in LaCrosse.  Diane

HIGH WATER DELAY

 We spent the morning contacting marinas south of here and have discovered that most of them are flooded and parts of the river are even closed.  Even though we are not happy about it, we have decided to rent a car and return to Chenoa for the week.  We will stock up on some warmer clothes, take the Quimby's (river trip-tic) with us and plan to resume our trip next week. Maybe we'll even get the part to make our furnace work.

Looking forward to seeing a few of you in Chenoa.  I think Becki will be home over the weekend, which will be nice.  Unless something of a disaster happens between now and next Monday, we say "Have a great week" and if you have a little room in your prayers ask for the Mississippi River to get below flood stage.  (We know it is not big on the prayer list, but sure would be nice!)

Weekend coolness is arriving

The clouds are rolling in.  They say we may have some showers this evening.  It is nothing that should stop us from leaving on Monday.  Our neighbor, nearby boat owner, was evacuated today.  He lives on his boat in order to not pay taxes, etc.  He was "subletting" a dock slip but the owners of the slip got upset.  We've had police here almost everyday because of it.  He decided it was time to move on.  It is amazing the people we are meeting!!!

We enjoyed the parade last night.  It ended  a little early due to an accident but since we didn't know about it, no problem.  I ate my second best brat since being in LaCrosse.  Interestingly, brats have never been on my list of "good foods".

Check out a few of these pics.  One is the dock where we are staying and a few others are the parade and the "after-parade". 

I am unsure if I will have any news over the weekend.  Our furnace is not fixed and it is to get cold.  We will adjust!  And, we are not leaving until Monday morning.  I will make sure to post on Monday to let everyone know we are finally on our way.  Diane

Cold weather is approaching

This is the warmest time of day and it is currently 74 degrees and sunny.  It is still supposed to be nice tomorrow but then a cold wave is it to hit.  They say it will frost here Saturday night.  So, when we originally thought we might need an air conditioner, our thoughts went to our little furnace, which does not work.

Rick is now in search for a thermo couple (?).  While we are hooked to electricity, it is no problem, as we have an electric heater.  We also paid the extra $30 to stay through Sunday night.  The water is to be below flood stage on Monday and that will be our "take-off" date.  Only one week behind schedule!!!!

I am hoping to get a picture of the parade tonight.  They say it is quite the site with everyone wearing and holding glow sticks.  I'm sure we will have a brat with kraut, the staple food around here, and possibly fried cheese curds.  Wisconsins do love their cheese and so do the Trachsels.

A beautiful day for work

Rick continues to find things to do.  Today it is 82 degrees and sunny.  He got the carpet down on top of the boat and other odds and ends accomplished.  I hope we get on the water soon as he is running out of things to do.

Wonderful tacos at Fish's for $1.50 each.  Chicken or beef and so big no one could eat more than two!  Met many locals that are very friendly and helpful.  We got some good information and invited to return for the torch-light parade on Thursday evening.

The water is not going down very fast.  It is supposed to turn cool.  It is getting just a little old hanging around LaCrosse.  On the bright side, we feel good, have no deadlines to meet, enjoy our walks and have water and electricity.  What more could we ask for?  Take care, Diane

Taco Tuesday

It appears that there is a Taco Tuesday most anywhere we go.  We will visit one at a little local pub nearby this evening. 
The water crested this morning and appears to have already dropped about a foot.  We are hoping it will continue to drop so we can leave Friday.  We still can't get under some bridges but we understand that can open one if we call ahead.  Ordinarily, we would fit without the call.

Here are pictures of loading the boat.  The final one is where we are staying until we are ready to leave LaCrosse.

We are in the water

The boat was lifted at about 9:00 this morning. We actually left the dock and got moving on the water at about 12:45. We are staying at a small marina in LaCrosse until the weekend due to high, dangerous water. I guess we will get to know LaCrosse. There is a torch parade Thursday night. We are looking forward to it. We hear there may be more rain coming. That could prove a big problem! We cannot get under a few bridges to get to the river at this point, even if we wanted to do so.

I am still having trouble with pictures. I will work on this tomorrow. I know do have electricity and can hook up the computer. Best wishes to all! It is a good thing we are in no hurry. Diane

New Dilemma-HIgh Water

It was 41degrees the first night in our boat, but thanks to Eric and Dave, we have an air conditioner on top! We had a wonderful time at Oktoberfest yesterday. It is similar to Mardi Gras. It goes on all week and has two big fair grounds. We are very close to the smaller of the two. We missed the big parade yesterday but saw the aftermath!!!! Forgot our German clothes, but still enjoyed ourselves.

Water is rising fast. It will crest on Tuesday. It is flooding in many areas and causing problems at marinas. There will be lots of junk in the water.

Boat should still be lifted tomorrow. I tried to put pictures but blog didn't post. Hopefully, this one will. Thanks again to everyone and their help. Diane

Oktoberfest in LaCrosse!

Dave, John and Jim hard at work.

Is it really going to work?

All jacked up and ready to come out!

A tight fit!

The emerging boat.

It is out!

We are now in Wisconsin but the boat is not.  The semi had problems and did not arrive in time to be hoisted into the water.  It is Oktoberfest in LaCrosse so the Marina is shut down until Monday.  Eric has to leave tomorrow.  If the boat arrives tonight, we will stay on it (dry dock) Saturday and Sunday.  This is where we are tonight!



The boat is still in the shed and it's after midnight!

I'm very tired and I know the guys who helped have to be beat.  The guy with the semi did get it under the boat and through the tireless efforts of Jim, John, Rick, Keith, and Roger, the boat got lowered into the correct spot.  It is still in the shed as some tie-down needs to happen.  I do have pictures and will try to put them on tomorrow.  You would think that I worked hard, but rather I had a delightful visit with Pat, Deb and Jill.
One early suggestion:  From the wife standpoint - this boat was too big for this shed.  Okay, I'll try not to say it ever again. 
I think we are starting at 6:00 a.m.  I will need to pack coolers and make sure we get everything into the truck.  Now we wait to see if Eric shows up on time. 
One last note:  I hope days are better than this when we get on the water!

A Bon Voyage Bottle

We got a bon voyage bottle today compliments of Diane and Roger M.  I spent most of my day running errands in Pontiac.  Missed a few friends who came to see the boat.  Rick didn't think Mary Lee nor Judy S. would be interested in sailing with us!!!!
The boat hauler is to be here about 6:30 tomorrow evening.  I am getting Tyler and Travis so they can watch the ordeal.  Hopefully the boat will come out of the shed without any trouble!!  I will post pictures.  If everything goes right we should head North on Friday morning at daybreak.  Keep your fingers crossed for us.  Diane

Front deck completed

The small front deck has been completed.  It appears that it may be too small for the grill!  I have started loading clothes and other important items such as fresh water, wine and CC.  I keep making lists and they keep getting longer rather than shorter.  I guess we will be able to buy anything we want along the way but I would rather be prepared. 
Roger and Rick finished the top steering last night.  It will really be nice for Rick to steer from up there at times.
If you are in the neighborhood, stop by for a look on Wed.  I think I may run to the lake house tomorrow to mow and pick up a few things.  Rick still has some work to do on the boat and motorcycle, so he'll probably stay home.  Can't wait for the semi to get here Thursday night.  Now that should be something.  If I find out the time, I'll let people know. 

Day 2 Rick couldn't find the blog

I hope others have a better idea of how to follow this system than Rick.  I had to help him locate the blog this afternoon.  Rick and Roger S. put their heads together last night to come up with an idea to steer the boat from the top.  Luckily, I was in St. Louis, so I was able to get a needed part at Cabella's.  The batteries are hooked up, the gas tanks are on, and the motors work.  We are still thinking Friday!  We think that Eric will be able to travel with us to Wisconsin and then return our truck.  No work this afternoon as we are going to Peoria for Oktoberfest!!!!  John S. says this trip will be an item to cross off our "bucket list".  Never thought of it that way, but if it is the case, my list is very, very long and it is good to get started.  Diane

The blog begins

Hopefully we will be able to keep everyone posted as to our whereabouts on the Mississippi River with this blog.  As time goes on, I will hope to add pictures, etc.  As of today, our date for boat transport to Wisconsin is next Friday.  Can't wait, although the boat still has work to be done.