Moving down the river

We left Lake City Marina at 11:30 AM, Sunday, September 7th.  It was a hectic morning.  One is never ready to leave.  Tim was still working on water treatment filters, Kathy had headed to the grocery store about three times. Our boat was a mess as we tried to fill it with the belongings that we just KNEW we needed.  But it was in great shape operationally, thanks to Tim.

We had hoped that we would leave at 10 AM, so 11:30 was not so bad! 

What we knew was that we would never be ready to leave, and that we just had to go.  Our goal for the day was to leave the marina.  The goal for the previous day was to leave the St Paul house.  We managed both. 

What was most touching was that our friends surrounded us as we prepared to do this adventure.  We had friends from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, friends from the marina, all there to send us on our way.  And they patiently waited as we got ready to leave.

 

 

Kathy and Tim posing for the crowd, with the dingy bundled in green on the cabin top



Tim practicing his fish stories

The Send Off was great.  All gathered on the dock.  Pictures were taken.   Hugs were exchanged.  And Kathy cried her eyes out.  All hands were on deck to help us get ready to get underway.   Lines were tossed, friends walked the boat out of the slip, and we were on our way.


Sea Fever and crew leaving Lake City Marina

As we made our way down the fairway, friends from other boats and docks stood on their boats, or at the end of their docks and waved and yelled best wishes. 

 Grand Cru II followed us out (our friends, Nancy and Stuart's boat).

Grand Cru II

On the first day, we motored 2 hours to cover the 12 miles to Wabasha (our future goal is 45-50 miles), then docked at the Wabasha, MN marina, and promptly went to take naps!

We plan to be gone six months.  For homebodies, that is a long time.

Thanks for reading.