The end of week one and the start of week two

Sunday, September 15th.
By the end of week one, we had traversed 193.4 miles, and had gone through 8 locks. Stayed at 5 marinas. And are now in Clinton IA.

There was nothing notable about the trip from Dubuque to Clinton.  Except for the abject beauty of the wilderness that surrounds the river.

The docking on Sunday at the Clinton Marina was rough.  The Mississippi River current shot into the marina, and the slip that we had chosen was really hard.  Thankfully, they had bumper guards on the dock, and we skimmed stuff off some of that, rather than the dock skimming paint from the boat.  Our water pump was constantly running as well.  Kathy learned that when the water tanks are empty, one has to turn the pump off as it will keep running with or without water. Which may burn out the water pump.

We got the boat settled in for the night and went to the Candlelight Restaurant that is on the marina premises.  That was about 5:30, and the place was packed.  Food was pretty good, and we didn't have to make it.

We returned to the boat, all was secure.  The only thing that concerned us was how to get out of the slip against the current.

It was a rough and fitful night. Tim was worried about how we would get out of the slip in the morning. So he was up and roaming about the boat. But the boat looked good in it's slip, darnit.

Sea Fever at Clinton Iowa.  It is the one with the mast.

Monday, September 16th.

We were almost out of batteries for our hand held radio.  The radio is how we hail barges, swing bridges, and the like to assure our passage through, and around them. 

Tim was discouraged about plans to get out of the slip. And did not sleep much at all. On a small boat, that means no one sleeps.

The next morning, Kathy walked a mile to the Ace Hardware store, picked up batteries and a rechargeable setup for batteries. And visited the HY VEE grocery and brought Tim a pastry. And sauntered back. The strangest thing that I saw was an elderly couple, sitting in their Pontiac at the scenic look out, reading their newspapers in their car.  Just seemed odd.

Being nervous about getting out of the slip, we asked Julie, the Marina manager, if there was anyone who could help.  Sure enough, within a half hour, Julie, Bill-the mechanic, and Bill's worker folks showed up.  By now it was 1130.

They got us out of the slip, and we moved Sea Fever down past the swing bridge.  And then the motor started to struggle. Darn Duckweed had clogged the water intake again.  Tim did his best, but the weeds had clogged the intake further than he could reach.  We anchored and called for help to the Marina.  Julie, the manager, helped us out by calling the mechanic, Bill, who then called the fire department who had a tow boat and came to rescue us. 



Sea Fever being towed back to the Clinton Marina by the fire department

They docked us at the gas pump.  The guy at the left side of the picture was enthralled with our boat and took the fifty cent tour.

Bill-the mechanic came down to help us check out our problems.  He worked with Tim.  They got everything working once again and gave us some tips going forward..  Duckweed.  What an issue.

As Bill walked away, Tim asked what the fee would be.  Bill just said...have a great trip.

Once again, we are meeting kind people.  Those who go on and beyond the call of duty.

We will head out of this marina again in the morning.  With great thanks to the City of Clinton, Julie. Bill, and the Fire department. 

Thanks for reading.