Monday Sept 29:
Wes woke up before his alarm, but I was moving slow. I finally got up around 0630, did some dishes right away as I had some silverware of Our Journey's that I wanted to return right away so I didn't forget! We untied and pull the anchor around 0700 and headed downriver. We got to LaGrange lock around 1145. We had to drop the anchor as they were putting a double cut through. We had to wait about two hours, but then we all got through. There were 10 of us going through. It was a HOT day, so we decided to continue on for another 50 miles to the next anchorage. We figured if we were going to burn fuel, we might as well keep moving because if we anchored just under the lock, we would have been running the generator anyway. We decided to stop at Wing Island and drop the anchor. We were barely out of the channel, but we were over enough. Boot Up rafted off to us. We ran the generator to cool down the boat. Then the may flies came out in full force!!! The boat was covered!! Wes tried to blow them off as best he could. We relaxed a bit then went to be early.
Tuesday, Sept 30:
We were both up early. We did our respective bible studies, then pulled the anchor and started downriver towards Grafton. We headed out about 0745. We arrived at Grafton about 1215 (just in time before my 1230 work call). Wes went around and visited with Sam then walked around and visited with other loopers while I worked. Then he went up to Grafton Pub and had a few beverages with fellow loopers while I worked. Once I was done, I walked up there and we had dinner and drinks. There were a lot of us loopers up there (we kind of took over their upper deck patio). They had a band playing and I enjoyed the live music! Then a bunch of us walked across the street to Bobby G's martini bar and had a few more. Once again we got stuck on that darn fun wheel!! We finally went to bed around midnight (no not looper midnight). 😂 It was a very fun evening!
We both were moving a little slow in the morning, but we got up and both started working (me for work and Wes on video stuff). Then we met up with a bunch of loopers in the later afternoon (Our Journey, Summer Breeze, and Ramble On) and walked over to Aries Resort and road the Sky Lift up to the top of the big hill. Then we walked over and got our tickets for the Alpine coaster. It was a unique and fun ride!! Each of us had our own coaster where you controlled the brake. We all laughed (some screamed) and fun was had by all. Then we went over to the terrace and enjoyed the views with a couple beverages and great company. We road the Sky Lift back down, the stopped at Bobby G's martini bar for one beverage. Last stop was Grafton Pub for one last drink and dinner (half off appetizers was the special of the night). Then back to the boat for a quiet night and bed at a normal time.
Thursday, Oct 2:
Today is a short travel day, so we left later than usual. We shoved off around 0945 and headed to Alton. We needed to arrive before my 1200 work call. We arrived around 1130 and were settled in before my call. Wes checked us in then ran into Kevin from Soul Mates. We went to Old Bakery Brewery for lunch. We had a nice visit. Then back to the boat as I still had work to do. Lou and Shannon arrived around 4pm. I was still on a call, but Wes took them on the flybridge and they visited until I was done. Then we got in their truck and went to Fast Eddies. Soon after, Kristy joined us, then her daughter Alex and her wife Abby, then lastly Mike joined us. We all had dinner and a couple beverages. Enjoyed some live music and really enjoyed the fabulous company. Everyone went they separate ways and Mike drove us back to the boat. We ran into a few loopers on our walk back to the boat a visited a little, but not too long as the bugs were out. We relaxed a bit then off to bed.
We were both up early. Wes had video stuff to finish, an MTOA board meeting, had to get packed up, and had to get the rental car. Let's just say he was a little stressed. He got everything done, then he took off around 0930. I worked all day, then walked over and visited with Wayne and Karen from Our Journey. We walked up to docktales and visited with some fellow loopers. Then back to the boat for dinner and relaxed a bit before bed.
Saturday, Oct 4:
I slept in a little bit. Then I got up and did some cleaning around the boat. I had a delivery from Walmart, then Chris and Casey came by on their boat and picked me up. We went for a little cruise on their boat on the river, then they came back to the fuel dock and took on some fuel. They let us park it there for a bit while we went inside for a beverage. A couple other loopers stopped by and we all visited. Then I helped Christ and Casey shove off to head back to Grafton for the night. I went back to the boat, relaxed then went to bed. Wes was off on his boat move. They had a hole in the port engine exhaust, so they were down to one engine. They limped into Aqua Marina on Pickwick Lake around 2030.
Sunday, Oct 5:
I has a nice lazy day on the boat binge watching some Netflix. Wes's day was not relaxing at all. With some help from some others at Aqua, he was able to get the parts needed to fix his customer's boat. He spent his day in the engine room making the repairs. The good news is that he got everything done so now they are all set to continue on tomorrow. They are hoping to make Columbus tomorrow to make up the time.
