Thursday, Sept. 20
This is a long post so we split up the questions into 3 catagories: Trip specific, Crew questions, Daily Activities.
TRIP SPECIFIC
1. What is the difference between a Comment and a Message on this blog?
A Comment remains on the screen for everyone to see.
A Message is sent only to us and no one else sees it.
2. Do you have electricity when you anchor?
We have a small (3 cylinder Yanmar) diesel engine that runs a generator in the engine room. It produces enough electricity for us to run the AC, water heater, refrigerator, fans, TV, lights… We don’t run it through the night because even with the engine room blowers on, the noise and risk of CO poisoning is not worth it. We have CO detectors, but even with that, one of the marina’s we stayed at insisted that no one run generators at night due to local fatalities. So, while we’re at anchor, we run the generator until we are ready for bed, then hope for a cool evening and some overnight breeze!
3. Do you travel in bad weather?
Generally, no. Sometimes a storm can pop up especially at the end of a hot humid day, just like at home around the Chicago area. If high winds and storms are predicted, we would stay put unless there is a very good reason for us to move (such as an unsafe anchorage, or a marina with limited protection).
4. What is “on the 1” or “on the 2” all about?
It goes back to the riverboat days before the existence of radio communication between ships. It is a way to signal on which side each ship will pass the other. Nowadays, contact is usually made via radio, but the captains still refer to the 1-whistle, 2-whistle to signal their passing intent. We have called tows on the radio and they have replied with either one or two blasts of their horn or on the radio they’ll say “on the 1” or “on the 2.” You can see more details on the 1 and 2 whistle system with the following link.
http://www.curtisstokes.net/great-loop-boats-for-sale/great-loop-paasing-commercial-traffic.html
5. Why is it a tow not a tug or a pusher?
Great question. Actually, if you want to insult a tow captain refer to his boat as a tug. The movement of flat bottom barges existed for years using men or animals to “tow” the barges along a canal path. Tow boats replaced pulling barges along the banks. They have flat fronts allowing them to push an assemblage of barges (all becoming the “Tow”) better than a pointed bow. Tug boats have pointed ends and are typically used to push other ships into positions. When you think about it, you can understand why maneuvering 18 barges (3 wide, 6 long) each barge being 195 feet long, 35 feet wide, is much more complicated that running a tug boat. No wonder a tow captain is insulted when his tow is called a tug!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pusher_(boat)
6. Are all the towboat captains from the south?
Almost all seem to be from the south after getting past Joliet. We didn’t hear much of a southern accent from captains in the Chicago and northern Illinois area. The tow captains in the Cal Sag channel were not overly friendly, and would not always respond to radio calls if they thought no need to do so. Once past Joliet, most captains were more friendly and interactive. Their messages are short and business-like, but typically with a friendly southern tone and wishing us safe travels. The farther south we go, the conversations are a little slower, and a little more southern. Becoming a tow captain is not easy. They are well paid, but there is a lot of responsibility, and a lot of time away from home with 28 days on, then 14 to 28 days off.
7. What do the tow captains call you?
Brian is usually the one to radio the tows. We say the tow’s name twice, that we are a pleasure craft, our direction or location relative to their position and ask where they would like us in the channel. They usually refer to us “pleasure craft” and they call Brian “Captain” (if they refer to him at all, which is more often now that we’re further south), then tell us to take the 1 or 2.
8. How long will your trip take, especially considering the long transmission replacement layover?
We were planning on a year. Now, we’ve decided to cancel a couple of side trips that we can do by car someday just as (if not more) easily: Nashville and Chattanooga. We should still be able to hold to our schedule to be in Mobile, AL around November 1st, and in SW Florida before the holidays.
9. Are you ever out of sight of land?
Not while we are on the rivers. There was short time we couldn’t see land while we were on Lake Michigan, but we have experienced that before. There will be times like crossing from the Florida panhandle to SW Florida where we will be out of sight of land. In fact, we will do part of this passage at night to allow us to arrive during daylight.
10. How do you know who the other Great Loopers are – do they have a flag or something?
Yes, they do have a flag, just like we do! You may notice when the bow of the boat is in pictures, there is a white AGLCA burgee, or “a flag bearing the colors or emblem of a sailing club, typically triangular flag at the bow.” (https://www.google.com/search?q=define+burgee&oq=define+burgee&aqs=chrome..69i57.3574j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) That means we are in the process of “doing the loop.” AGLCA stands for the American Great Loop Cruisers Association. When someone completes the loop (also called crossing one’s own wake) they get a Gold AGLCA burgee. People who are willing to complete the trip more than once (Really?!?) get a platinum AGLCA burgee. (The gold and platinum are just background colors, of course! See pictures)
11. How do you keep track of the other loopers you meet. Do you ever see the same ones over again?
When you meet another Looper, you exchange “Boat Cards” which have your boat name, your names and contact information. Some have a picture of the boat, others have a picture of the people, some have both. Sometimes the blog address is included as well. When we receive one, we note the date and location and keep them in a binder. We’ve seen many Loopers, though it started out slow. The first Looper we met was in Henry, but we didn’t get the card. Then another in Peoria Heights. We were the only one at Hoppies, which is very strange this time of year, but then it started to pick up. While here at GTB, at least 25 have come through, some staying one night others a week or more. No wonder they moved us off the transient dock. We have seen several of the boats/people more than once already. But unfortunately, we’re much less likely to meet the other Loopers and exchange cards in our non-transient-doc location. (Though now we have a great view!)
CREW QUESTIONS
1. Who is Wilson?
Wilson is a volleyball that Brian received in a slightly damaged FedEx box from work on his last day there. If you recall the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks, Wilson the volleyball, was his only friend while stranded; stranded being the key word. Though we love him, we hope that Wilson will never have to be our only friend throughout our trip and we will not get stranded anywhere along the way! (Knocking on wood!)
2. Do you feel like you are on vacation or living on a boat?
Sue: It started out a little strange, like a long stretched-out weekend at the boat. Now it’s like living on the boat. We’re getting better at it too!
Brian: It is definitely not like a vacation. There is a lot to do on days we are on the move. Engines and systems checks before departure, determining next stop locations (and alternatives if problems), having appropriate charts and references ready, hourly engine checks, preparation for locks and/or docking or anchoring. On days we stay put for a couple days, the 2nd or 3rd days feels a little more like vacation (assuming there are no repairs needed from the recent passage).
3. Does Sue still wear make-up?
Sue: No. Since we left Kenosha, I’ve worn makeup twice. The first night, out of habit and one other night about a week into the trip when we went out to a little bit nicer place to eat. Since then, none. Though it took a little while to get used to it, it’s a lot easier!
4. Is Bo adjusting?
Bo (interpreted by Sue): Yes, I think I am adjusting well. Ever since we had those surprise big waves, I’ve been a little nervous when I hear the sound of a towboat engine, but I just hide out by Mom and it goes away. I still refuse to use that fake grass they bought for me – really!? – who are they trying to kid! Mom & Dad keep trying to get me to use a ramp or step onto some sort of contraption that Dad made specially for me to get down to the fish cockpit to get onto the dinghy. I refuse – though I don’t know why. Even when tempted with cheese, it just doesn’t feel right. Dad continues to make adjustments to it. Maybe soon I’ll give it a try. In the meantime, Dad lifts me by my lifejacket and Mom pushes to force me down to the fish cockpit. I LOVE going for dinghy rides, so I put up with them helping me to the dinghy. They say that soon I’ll get to see my Playtime friends – I am soooo looking forward to that!
5. Have you been surprised by anything?
A) The transmission problems have been a surprise. We have had the boat for 3 years and put over 1600 miles under her keel without any hint of transmission problems.
B) How friendly everyone is at the marinas – whether an employee, another Looper or just another person along the dock, there is always an offer to help in any way or give suggestions for places to visit, get supplies or have a good meal. They are also very trusting. We’ve had people offer the use of their personal cars if there is something we need to get right away. Some of the marina’s offer the use of a courtesy car with the only cost being replacing the fuel you use. At Hoppies the ice locker is unlocked, you just leave $2.50 on top of the ice box if you take a bag.
6. Have you “needed” the space yet (like a retired couple)?
Sue: No major or even minor incidents, but it has been nice to have the space.
Brian: Nope. There is a lot to do to keep things running, so we are usually busy. The long layover in GTB is a bit of a test. We each have lists of things to do that keeps us busy, so we can avoid driving each other nuts. Bo provides us with his own “to-do” list that also keeps us busy.
7. Are your expectations being met?
Sue: I had few expectations, just a lot of questions: 1. How busy would we be on a daily basis? 2. Would we get into a routine? (I am a routine-type person.) 3. Will managing the space, or lack thereof, be difficult? 4. Will we get on each others’ nerves? 5. How soon will we meet other Loopers? Answers: 1. Fairly busy but not too busy 2. Yes. 3. OK so far! 4. Not yet. 5. Started out slow, now seeing many more. So I would say the answers to my questions are quite positive!
Brian: I expected some sort of mechanical challenges, but not a complete transmission failure. The scenery has been great, and we have met a lot a very nice people. We had planned to do the Cumberland River side trip to Nashville and Tennessee River side trip to Chattanooga to experience more of these inland river cultures. We will not be able to do those trips and still stay ahead of the cold weather. We will have to visit these areas some other time.
Bo: What are expectations?
DAILY ACTIVITIES
1. How do you communicate when one person is driving and the other is somewhere else on the boat?
We have 2 ways to communicate:
1) We have an intercom system that was installed by a previous owner with phones at the upper helm, lower helm, front cabin near the galley, the aft cabin next to the bed and the engine room. When you push the number of the phone you are calling, there is a loud buzz – no mistaking it!
2) For docking and working through the locks, we use headsets so we can easily talk to each other. (Also referred to as “marriage savers.”) The only problem with this is that Sue tends to hum if she has a song stuck in her head – usually the last song we’ve heard on the radio, or she’ll express her surprise at unexpected wildlife, like birds, jumping fish, butterflies, large spiders… those come through the headset a bit too loudly!
2. I see bikes in some pictures, do you get to ride them often?
We rode them in Alton and again here in Green Turtle Bay (GTB). Both times to the grocery store, though we also got some fantastic ice cream at a little shop here in Grand Rivers too. What is it with river towns having so many uphill streets? I guess that’s how they avoid flooding, but getting to town is really hard work! (Though good for the glutes & thighs.) Getting back to the marina is a breeze!
3. How often do you cook vs. eat out?
We were told that whatever you do at home will be what you end up doing on the trip. They were right! Just like at home, we tend to eat out often, though on this trip, it is not always possible. We keep hot dogs and hamburgers frozen for grilling. Sue has cooked a few times but makes enough to have leftovers. The instant pot has been great – perfect hardboiled eggs in a matter of minutes, one-pot meals, or even just to boil the spaghetti for our microwaved frozen meatballs and jar sauce. Tonight we’ll grill steaks with microwave baked potatoes. No complaints!
4. A. How much food do you have to stock up?
We’ve been able to get to a grocery store about once every week or so, either by bike or courtesy car at the marina. With limited space (in non-bilge areas, plus small frig and tiny freezer) we can only stock up so much, and fresh fruit and veggies don’t last long.
4. B. What is a bilge?
The bilge is the lowest area in a ship below the livable space and engine room. Every ship will collect some water and whatnot in the bilge and there are automatic bilge pumps to prevent it from becoming too full, though you really don’t want to hear them run. Bilges are never nice areas and usually very … what’s the word… YUCKY, ICKY, GROSS, DISGUSTING … you get the idea. Brian keeps our bilge very clean, but we still use large covered plastic containers for storage on shelving under the galley – only pop, beer, a few water bottles... liquids necessary to stay alive! (Wine and liquor are kept more accessible.)
5. How do you do laundry – does the all-in-one machine really work?
Many marinas have washers and dryers which are usually in good repair. Cost has been anywhere from .75 to 1.75 per load per machine. We have lots of quarters with us! Though I had some doubts at first, I am now thrilled to have the little washer/dryer unit. I’d heard they don’t really dry well, but that is the type that doesn’t have a dryer vent. Ours has a dryer vent which we send out the closet window which isn’t otherwise opened (see picture). It gets a bit hot & humid in that closet if I forget to open the window and put the vent in it, but I usually remember fairly quickly! Doing a lot of small loads and air drying the light weight items has been a tremendous advantage over having to wait for marina machines. (Though they really are much better for larger items like towels and sheets.)
If you have any other questions, please send us a message or comment. (Remember what the difference is? See Trip Specific , # 1)