Sometime it’s about going from point A to point B. What has been so cool about this trip
is that when it seems to get a little boring you turn a bend and it’s, wow,
that’s neat or, damn, we need to get out of the way of that tow! There is always something to do or keep
your attention. Not much time for
reading but plenty of time for little tasks…snacking…catching up on
e-mail…kick’n back. That’s what I
was looking forward to…knocking the pace down to idle. Been an adjustment. A welcome adjustment!
Sunday, 9/16 to Monday – Spring Valley to the Illinois
Valley Yacht (IVY) & Canoe Club
Trip down from Spring Valley boring…what are those tows and
barges doing on shore? Well they
are abandon..sunk! Surprise they
haven’t been picked apart for scrap.
At Henry, IL that is what is happening…old into new.
A little later I see this island of white. Thought I’d seen this before…island of
sea gulls. No, after examining the
photos from my new 40X zoom camera…the birds are white pelicans!
IVY is a great club.
Circa 1907 they have seen growth, floods, contraction, high water and
low…but they stick it out and (outside SSYC) they are the best I’ve seen. I could be happy here…they have three
sailing fleets…and did I tell you about the great bar?! and restaurant?! Chris & I had a wonderful dinner
with an older couple that have been members for decades. There is history here…people pursuing
their boating passions and eager to share them with us “passer-byes.”
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| First Commodore |
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| Wall of Commodores |
Tuesday, September 18
My Uncle Putter died today. He was always full of life!! Bigger than life.
Nothing stopped him. Can’t
say how many days I’d seen him riding his bike on the rail trail…pass him…and
he’d turn and catch me…smiling, loudly announcing his place in this world. I ‘d have a hard time being sad today
because it’s such a great day to ride the river. To be in my place.
He pursued his passions aggressively…not waiting for tomorrow to decide
today. Passion for life…that is
what I will remember about Uncle Putter.
Passion for life…is how I will honor his memory!!! If there is a heaven…Putter is not
resting in peace…he is biking full on…he is setting the pace. His message to us…keep up!!!
We left IVY, cruised through Peoria , and actually transited the Peoria lock with two
other Loopers! Attitude Changer
and Bama Belle, both from Mobile, AL are acquaintances from Joliet. After sharing a lock, docking at Tall
Timbers, a couple of drinks and dinner we are good friends. They are in the “home stretch” of their
Loop experience. We are so encouraged by the great time and experience they had
plus the lessons they passed along…it gives us confidence to keep going. Like we could be stopped!
Bill and Chris,
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us virtually along.
Coincidence: Thursday, we watched 22 white pelicans land on a sandbar in Saginaw Bay just off our beach.
You are bringing back some great memories. I had to dig out my old log book. Unfortunately, I did not keep a very detailed log as you are doing and back then I took few pictures (and have no idea if they still exist). Although the entry for October 9 has some color, most of the entries in the log are just basic info:
October 9, tied up at Starved Rock Yacht Club - 25 cent beers, 50 cent mixed drinks (give you an idea how long ago I went?)
October14, gas 5.5 gals $3.74 at Havana mile 120.5 (another clue)
October15, ran to mile 57.5 and anchored behind Big Blue Island.
Ray and Deb