Fw: Our Villa, Cruises the Great Loop

We arrived at our marina in Trempealeau,WI on the Upper Mississippi River on
our 37 foot Lord Nelson Victory Tug on September 5, 2008 after 11 months of
cruising America's Great Loop. We cruised 6,801 miles, locked through 182
locks, used 1,389 gallons of diesel and logged 967 engine hours. We burned
1.44 gallons per hour, which averaged to 4.9 miles per gallon, with nothing
subtracted for generator consumption.
We had 3 mechanical issues on this trip. Our muffler collapsed on the
inside causing the engine to overheat, to remedy the problem we had the
muffler cut in two and rebuilt and also replaced the sea water pump. Our
alternator failed due to grease on the slip rings. The motor mount bracket
broke when a bolt broke that attaches it to the marine gear, which we had
welded. We had problems with our motor mounts five years ago when a bolt
broke. We severely damaged a 40 pound Dansforth style anchor and replaced it
with a 65 pound Forfjord anchor.
We crossed our wake on June 16,2008 in Burlington,VT where we purchased Our
Villa in July, 2003. The most memorable parts of the trip were the many
wonderful people we met and the beautiful scenery in the USA and Canada
Joe and Arvilla Glinski aboard OUR VILLA, hull #56

Lansing,IA To Trempealeau,WI

0545 Depart Lansing City Dock. 1525 Arrived at home port of Trempealeau at Lock Six. Cruised 50 miles and three locks. 73 degs and mostly sunny with AM fog. About 2 hours delay at the locks. We are now finished with our trip and would like to thank everyone that made comments on our blog, and thanks to everyone that followed our trip. It was a once in a life time trip and we met so many wonderful people, and saw so many interesting places. We are now sitting at our marina and it is raining, nice
to be tied up to a dock, as we anchored out 5 nights in a row.
Arvilla & Joe

Dubuque,IA To Lansing,IA

0550 Departed anchorage. 1920 Arrived Lansing City Dock. Cruised 75 miles and two locks with two hours of lock delay. Cloudy and rain most of the day temp stayed at 58 degs all day.
Joe & Arvilla

(no subject)

Departed anchorage at 6:03. Arrived at mile 585 to anchor for the night at 7:30. Had 1 hour delay at lock 12 and 2 1/2 hours at lock 11 ( tow boat & American Queen cruise boat). Only 64 miles today due to delays at the locks. Cloudy and rain and a high of 69 deg. What a difference after 91 degrees yesterday. Getting closer to our marina.
Arvilla & Joe

New Boston,IL To Clinton,IA

0550 Depart anchorage. Arrived at anchorage at 1935. Cruised 83 miles and four locks. It was 91 degs,sunny and not much boat traffic. We only had 2 one half hour delays today.
Joe & Arvilla

Keokuk,IA To New Boston,IL

0600 Depart anchorage. 1926 anchor below Lock 17. Cruised 81 miles and two locks. Sunny and 91 degs. A nice smooth ride with not much boat traffic, even though it was a holiday.
Joe & Arvilla

Quincy,IL To 8 Miles South West Of Keokuk,IA

Adam and Stephanie departed for Plover at 0730. So, Arvilla is back on the boat. Departed Quincy at 10:55 after walking to church. Arrived at lock 20 with a hour and half wait. When we got into the lock there were no lines a lot of wind and 7 other boats with us. I guess on this part of the Mississippi they feel they do not need to give lines out. Not a good experience. We set anchor for the night at 5:20. We are going to have a few cocktails and snacks to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary.
High temp of 88 degrees and sunny all day. A little windy at our anchorage.
Joe & Arvilla

Rockport,IL To Quincy,IL

0543 Depart Two Rivers Marina. Very foggy and could not see the buoys but they showed up good on radar. Anchor got fouled on a large cable below lock 21. Had to tie a line on it to hold it up and lower the anchor and then drop the cable. 1445 arrived Quincy Boat Club. Arvilla and Stephanie arrived 1615. Had fish at local bar. 87 degs and sunny. Cruised 46 miles and two locks.
Joe, Arvilla, Adam, & Stephanie

St. Charles,MO To Rockport,IL

0800 Depart anchorage after fuel filter change and bleed low and high pressure fuel lines. 1700 arrive Two Rivers Marina. Cruised 57 miles and two locks. Passed AMERICAN QUEEN. Sunny and 85 degs.
Joe & Adam

Waukegan,IL To Saint Charles,MO.

Monday,25 Aug 08
0538 Depart Waukegan Marina. Three to five foot beam sea made for a lot of rolling. 1000 take down mast in Chicago Harbor for the low Chicago bridges. 1925 Anchor on the Kankakee River. Cruised 94 miles and two locks. 76 degs and sunny.
Tuesday,26 Aug 08
0525 Depart anchorage. 1940 Anchor near Lecon,IL. Cruised 86 Miles three locks. 79 degs and sunny.
Wednesday,27 Aug 08
0540 Depart anchorage. Stop in Peroia,IL to visit a ham friend. 1905 Anchor four miles above Beardstown. Cruised 97 Miles and one lock. 85 degs and sunny.
Thursday,28 Aug 08
0532 Depart anchorage. 1736 turn to starboard up the Mississippi river. 1930 anchor near St. Charles,MO on the Dardenne Slough. High wind and 2.25" of rain late in morning and some wind at anchorage. Cruised 109 miles and one lock. High temp 89 degs.
Joe & Adam

Sturgeon Bay,WI
!Sturgeon Bay,WI To Waukegan,IL

Friday and Saturday at Quarter Deck Marina visiting with friends. Saturday morning Adam,Stephanie, and Eli arrived. I had not seen Eli since November and now he has glasses and is walking. We had a short visit before Arvilla,Stephanie, and Eli left for Plover. Adam and I departed Sturgeon Bay at 1306. Arrived two Rivers,WI at 2010. Cruised 51 miles,3 to 4 ft waves and high temp was 77 degs.
0410 departed Two Rivers and arrived at Waukegan,IL at 2020. Cruised 124 miles with 3 to 4 foot following seas and high temp of 67 degs. Kept the boat closed the past 2 days due to flies.
Joe and Adam

Washington Island To Sturgeon Bay

We departed Washington Island at 7:15, cruising on the Bay of Green bay, with only a light chop.
Sunny and a high of 74 degrees. We are anchored 5 miles from Sturgeon Bay, at Sawer Harbor. We will go to Quarterdeck Marina tomorrow and wait for our crew change on Saturday.
Joe & Arvilla

Beaver Island, MI To Washington Island,WI

We are back in Wisconsin!!! We stayed at Beaver Island Sunday and Monday. We went for a walk and found a small church and went to mass, then we walked over to see the lighthouse on the island. On our way back we stopped at a maritime Museum, that had an old fish tug that we could board. Really neat and did take pictures. We also walked a few miles to find one of the airports on the island, they have 2 airports and a college, and a school for 1-12 grades. We did not find the airport as it was
behind some trees, I guess it could not have been very big. We departed Beaver Island this morning at 6:20, the first hour was choppy and some waves splashing over the bow. The next 9 hours were 3-5 ft. waves on the port stern quarter. Not the best cruising day, but we made it safe and sound. Arrived at Washington Island to anchor at 4:45. Sunny, high of 65, and winds 23 mph.
Joe & Arvilla

St. Ignace,MI to Beaver Island,MI

Departed St. Ignace at 6:10. yes, we are now on the dreaded Lake Michigan. the first three hours of cruising were fine--the last three hours were terrible with 3-4 foot seas on our port bow. Everything in the boat was shook up, especially Arvilla who was suppose to be at home on this part of the cruise. But, we are one week ahead of schedule, no crew change until Aug. 23rd. Arrived at Beaver Island at 12:15. Mostly sunny and 78 degrees.

De Tour Village, MI to St. Ignace,MI

Departed De Tour Village at 8:35 after changing Canada money at a local bank. A beautiful sunny day and calm seas, 76 degrees. We could see the Mackinac bridge from 30 miles away. We arrived at St. Ignace Marina at 2:15 and met Tom & Mary there. We visited, grocery shopped, had wine & beer, and went out for a fish dinner. It was great to see them again.

`Clapperton Island,Ontario To De Tour Village,MI

We departed our anchorage at 6:05 and had 2-3 foot seas until 1 p.m. We stopped at Drummond Island to check into customs at 4:00 under sunny skies and 75 degrees. We were then on our way at 5:00 in the rain. We arrived at De Tour Village Marina at 6:10, cruised 91 miles today.
Joe & Arvilla

Strawberry Island,Ontario To Clapperton Island,Ontario

We departed our beautiful anchorage at 6:10. Another smooth and sunny day. We arrived at Little Current only to find out that the swing bridge is down for repair--only 18 feet of clearance. So, we had to take down the mast. We then proceeded thru the bridge and were on our way. We arrived at out anchorage at 5:10 and shared the anchorage with 8 other boats after 82 miles of cruising. The high temp for today is 74 deg. with afternoon thunderstorms.
Joe & Arvilla

Sans Souci,Ontario To !0 Miles South of Hartly Bay,Ontario On Georgian Bay

On Tuesday we cruised 81 miles between rock islands all day long. When they say Georgian Bay has 30,000 islands they mean it. Some of the islands have houses others are just rocks. Beautiful sunny day with a high of 71 degrees and calm seas. That is a favorite of Arvilla's.
Joe & Arvilla

Port Severn,Ontario To Sans Souci,Ontario

We spent Sunday at Lock 45- had a spectacular evening with a beautiful sunset. Tom & Mary departed the boat on Monday morning. Sorry to see them leave as we had a great time with them. We then enjoyed visiting with a ham friend from the area. He has provided a lot of our email service. We then departed thru lock 45 at noon, and arrived at our anchorage at 5:45. It was a sunny day and half of the day was great the rest had 2-3 foot waves. Not one of Arvilla's favorite days. Cruised 40 miles.
Temp 73 degs.
Joe & Arvilla

Gamebridge,Ontario To Port Severn,Ontario

Friday Departed at 0600 and crossed Lake Simcoe. 1250 Arrived Swift Rapids, Lock 43. Cruised 42 miles and one lock. Sorry that I ever mentioned that the weather was so beautiful and sunny, ever since the funnel cloud it has been raining and cool. From Tom & Mary: We got up early to cross a large lake, which everyone said was dangerous & rough. We left early from the breakwater & went out on to the lake. When we got on the lake I couldn't see shore - maybe that was because I was down under with
a blanket over my head. I only bounced 1 or 2 inches off the bunk. By the time we got to the other side, we were doing fine - a 2 hour crossing. We tied up above Lock 43 - the most pristine lock we've been at. When I went up to the lock I couldn't see down to the bottom - should be quite a drop for us in the morning.
Saturday depart Swift Rapids lock 0850. Arrived at port Severn, Lock 45 1230. Cruised 17 miles and one lock and one marine railway. 65 degs and rain most of the day. We are now at the upper end of the last lock on the Trent Severn. We will probably go thru on Monday morning if the weather is okay. From Tom & Mary: Lock 43 was a real drop, but in 8 minutes - very new design. We got to the railway - Lock 44. I guess you have to see it, but they lifted us OUT of the water & transported up up & over
the land. Really something to see. We arrived Port Severn - the end of the trail for us. Tomorrow, the nicest lady in Canada, Andrea, will drop off our car. Without her, this whole trip wouldn't have been possible. On Monday we will depart via auto & begin our trip home thru Sault Ste. Marie & eventually the Ferry from Muskegon, MI to Milwaukee, WI. We will be forever grateful to Joe & Arvilla for letting us join them for this part of their trip. It has been truly a trip of a lifetime & do
we have the pictures to prove it.

Fenelon Falls,Ontario To Gamebridge, Ontario

Thursday, 1624 Arrived Gamebridge breakwater wall. Cruised 33 miles and seven locks. As we stated earlier we have had great weather, except for Thursday when a storm with a funnel cloud hit the lake and was called a water spout. It was a little scary, took some pictures, so we hope that they turn out okay. From Tom & Mary: Five of the seven locks today were one right after the other - gates always open. We tied up behind the breakwater & about an hour after we got secure a thunderstorm rolled
thru. Arvilla & I were sitting & chatting when I said to her, "That looks like a tornado". Well, by the time it got out unto the lake it was a long funnel cloud - about 1,000 ft. (Carla J - I've got pictures) I was calm & collected, but it was in the distance - maybe five miles. And then it was time for a little wine.

Bobcaygeon,Ontario To Fenelon Falls,Ontario

1000 Arrived Fenelon Falls Lock wall. Cruised 15 miles and one lock. We had a beautiful sunny day again with a high of 79 degrees, and found out that the bridges are not as high as they said they were. From Tom & Mary: We tied above Lock 34, another small tourist town. Did some walking, shopping & then had a late lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Falls. During lunch some local lads walked out above the Falls & drove down over them - very exciting - especially when they didn't come up right
away. Lunch was excellent, which reminds me, I'm going to be 300 lbs. after this trip - please don't mention it when you see me. The only way we know breakfast is over is that it gets to be Noon & then it becomes lunch & so on. The only way we know we are done eating is that it's time to go to bed. Life is good here on "Our Villa".

Buckhorn,Ontario To Bobcaygeon,Ontario

Tuesday arrived Bobcaygeon 1200. Cruised 16 miles and two locks. Gorgeous sunny day with a high of 83 degrees. From Tom & Mary: We arrived at this small tourist town & tied up below the lock. Arvilla & I walked up town & there on the corner a woman's dream - a store with thousands of shoes. Great shopping! During dinner we had a lovely, gentle rain - no high winds, no firemen telling us to take shelter - just rain. Those Wisconsin storms must lose their gusto by the time they get here!!!!

Lakefield,Ontario To Buckhorn,Ontario

Monday arrived at Lock 31 lock wall at Buckhorn at 1400. Cruised 22 miles and three locks. The weather has been just beautiful since Mary & Tom arrived. Now we know where the Canada Geese hang out, dah, Canada. They make a real mess on the docks. From Tom & Mary: Today we went thru Hell's Gate - now the avid boater's that we are, we thought anything with HELL in it we should pay attention. HUGE rocks everywhere, some with houses on them, breathtaking. Lock 30 is an island, only accessible by
boat. They have a black bear that comes & crosses the lock gates. But after seeing the dead bat, we didn't feel it necessary to see a live bear. We tied below Lock 31 for the night. The lock closes at 7:00PM & after the lock people left, the local kids came & swam in the lock chamber & rode their bike off the lock wall into the water below the lower lock gate. Great entertainment for us - who needs TV. All is going well. Joe is still answering all my questions.

Hastings,Ontario To Lakefield,Ontario

Saturday at 0623 we departed Hastings and Arrived Peterborough Marina at 1230. Cruised 37 miles and one lock. Mostly sunny and 80 degs. We went to a Catholic church for mass and found a dead bat on the floor in front of us, which made it very hard to concentrate. We had an outdoor concert with thousands of people attending and fire works after the concert.
Sunday departed Peterborough 1100. 1400 broke an engine mount bracket at lock 23. Luckily a lock repair crew was called in to repair a broken cable at lock 24 and the lock master gave Joe a ride in his car so the repair crew could weld the broken bracket. Monday was a civic holiday and it would have been Tuesday if we had to go to a repair shop. We were under way in 3 hours. Arrived 1830 at Lock 26 wharf. Cruised 10 miles and 7 locks. 76 degs and partly sunny.
From Tom & Mary: This is a Canadian Holiday weekend. A few more boats on the waterway. The weather is absolutely perfect for cruising - not HOT. The wine tastes mighty fine here on "Our Villa". All is well except for that dead bat in church.

Cambellford,Ontario To Hastings,Ontario

After five enjoyable days in Cambellford we departed lock 12 at 1200. Arrived at Lock 18 in Hastings at 1700 hours. Cruised 21 miles and 6 locks. A beautiful sunny day.
A wonderful friend in Campbellford took us on a tour of the town and surrounding areas. We visited the Church Key Brewery, the cheese factory, the Worlds Famous Chocolate Factory, and many other interesting stores. We attended an outdoor concert on Wednesday evening with country & rock and roll music. On Thursday early evening our friends from Madison, Tom and Mary joined us to continue our cruise on the Trent Severn. We were so happy to see them.
From Tom & Mary: Hello to Family/friends, Uwmf co-workers & Sunset Bay Marina folks. We arrived At about 5:00PM on 7/31 - wine time!!! Friday 8/1 we went to the chocolate factory & filled tins with chocolate - more fun than slots & I've got pictures to prove it. Today we went thru 6
locks. It's not like the locks on the Mississippi. It's so relaxing, peaceful & beautiful. Life is good!!!!!! Be sure to click on the left side of blog for location. More tomorrow.

Meyersburg,Ontario To Cambellford,Ontario

Cruised 4 miles and 3 locks on a sunny day and high temp of 80. Docked above Lock 12 on the south end of Cambellford.

Frankford,Ontario To Meyers Lock

After spending a few days in Frankford and going to mass at a 105 year old church we cruised 19 miles and 3 locks on Sunday. The lock masters house at Meyers lock dates back to 1914. 78 degs and mostly sunny.
Joe & Arvilla

Trenton,Ontario To Frankford,Ontario

Friday cruised 5 miles and 5 locks on The Trent Severn Canal on our way to Lake Huron. Saturday will be at lock 6 wharf for the day.
Joe & Arvilla

Belleville,Ontario To Trenton,Ontario

Cruised 23 miles west to the start of the Trent-Severn waterway. 67 degs and rain. Overnight at Lock One.
Joe & Arvilla

Milton Island To Quinte Point,Onterio

Cruised 54 miles from the 1000 Islands to Quinte Point anchorage near Belleville,Ontario. Mostly cloudy and 84 degrees.
Joe & Arvilla

Howe Island To Milton Island

Cruised the St Lawrence Seaway 1000 Islands 8 miles to Milton island. Partly sunny and 76 degs.
Joe & Arvilla

Grenadier Island To Howe Island

Wednesday cruised 19 miles to a friends dock on Howe Island just north of Kingston,Ontario. Wednesday evening toured Fort venery which is on the northeast shore of Lake Ontario at Kingston. Will be at Howe Island till Monday. Weather has been sunny and in the 80's.
Joe & Arvilla

Endymion Island To Grenadier Island,Onterio

Cruised 17 miles in the St Lawrence 1000 islands and saw Bolt Castle. Sunny and 75 degs.
Joe & Arvilla

Howe Island To Endymion Island

1015 Depart Howe Island. 1355 Arrive Endymion Island, part of the St. Lawrence 1000 Islands.
Cruised 20 miles. 76 degs and mostly sunny.
Joe & Arvilla

Davis Lock To Gananoque,Onterio

Saturday lunch at Kenney's hotel in Jones falls. 1430 anchor in Morton Bay, 25 miles north of Kingston. Cruised 5 locks and 7 miles.
Sunday 0825 depart Morton Bay. Arrive at friends dock at Gananoque, a few miles North East of Kingston. Cruised 39 miles and 7 locks. Sunny and 80 degs both days.

Smiths Falls, Onterio To Davis Lock On Rideau Canal

Thursday toured Smiths Falls with some friends from Canada and South Carolina.
Friday departed Smiths Falls Lock wharf 0900. Visit the village of Westport. 1700 Arrived Davis Lock wharf, 90 miles South of Ottawa. Cruised 40 miles and 5 locks. Sunny and 81 degs.
Joe & Arvilla

Burritts Rapids To Smiths Falls,Onteria

0850 Depart Lock wharf. 1525 Arrived Smiths Falls, 60 miles south of Ottawa. 81 degs and sunny. Cruised 20 miles and 11 locks.
Joe & Arvilla

Ottawa,Onterio To Burritts Rapids

Upon arriving in Ottawa on Sunday we spent time with friends from Canada and South Carolina visiting, touring and having lunch in Ottawa.
Monday we visited the Parliament and watched the changing of the guards, went to the market and bought fresh berries and had lunch at an outside cafe with friends. What a wonderful time we had at Ottawa on Arvilla's birthday.
Tuesday 0843 depart Ottawa.
1650 Arrive Burritts Rapids Lock wharf. 79 degs and sunny. Cruised 39 miles and nine locks.
Joe & Arvilla

South Nation River To Ottawa, Montral

0458 Depart Anchorage. 1015 Arrive Ottawa Lock One. Depart Lock Eight at 1250. Tour Ottawa with friends from Ottawa. Interview with Canadian Television 13. Cruised 35 miles and 8 locks. 82 degs and partly sunny.
Joe & Arvilla

Carillon,Quebec To South Nation River, Ontario

0920 Depart Carillon Lock on the Ottawa River.
Visited the Chateau Montebello at Montebello, Quebec. It is reported to be the largest log structure in the world. It is very large and is now a hotel with hundreds of rooms. What a sight to see.
1620 Anchor on the South Nation River, 35 miles east of Ottawa. 67 degs and rain. Cruised 39 miles and one lock.
Joe & Arvilla

Contrecoeur, Quebec To Carillon, Quebec

Thursday, 0500 Departed anchorage on the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Seven hours lock delay at Saint Lambert lock and Saint Catherine Lock. 2045 Anchor south of Dorval, Quebec on the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Cruised 51 miles and two locks. 82 degs and partly sunny.
Friday, 0805 Depart anchorage. Stoped at Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue lock and visit city. Arrived Carillon Lock 1615. 80 Degs and sunny. Cruised 41 miles and one lock.
Joe & Arvilla

Saint Ours, Quebec To Contrecoeur, Quebec

0850 Depart Saint Ours.
1310 Arrive at anchorage on the Saint Lawrence Seaway near Contrecoeur, Quebec.
77 degs and sunny. Cruised 29 miles and one lock.
Joe and Arvilla

Chambly,Quebec To Saint Ours,Quebec

1045 Depart Lock 3 wharf.
1500 Arrive Saint Ours Lock wharf. Tour fish ladder at damn.
78 degs with some rain and mostly sunny. Cruised 32 miles and 3 locks.
Joe & Arvilla

Saint-Jean, Quebec To Chambly, Quebec

Walk canal path for one hour. 1004 Dept Lock 9 wharf. 1300 Arrive Chambly, lock 3 wharf. Rain,73 deg. Toured town and Fort Chambly. Cruised 11 miles and 5 locks. Canal speed limit is 6.3 mph.
Joe & Arvilla

Rouses Point,NY TO Saint-Jean,Quebec

0600 Depart Rouses Point anchorage.
0644 Depart Canadian Customs Wharf.
1045 Arrive dock at Saint-Jean Lock. Walk in town but too late for church but did find 3 catholic churches. 73 degs with some rain and sun. Cruised 25 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

South Burlington,VT To Rouses Point,NY

Sat,14 June, visit with Wesley and Patty Eldred, owners of LITTLE BITT, hull # 21 and celebrated our completion of the Great Loop as this is where we started from in 2003 when we purchased this boat.
Sun,15 June, visit with Jerry and Diane Hebda who purchased our former boat in 2003.
Mon,16 June, visit with Bill and Meda Lowell, former owners of this boat.
Tue, 17 June through Fri,20 June ordered and installed new alternator.
From our mooring ball next to Little Bitt's boat we enjoyed the beautiful scenery, especially the Adirondack Mountains to the west.
Sat, 21 June departed Shelburne Bay mooring at 0758.
1300 Arrived Rouses Point anchorage. 72 degs and mostly sunny. Cruised 39 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Vergennes,VT T0 South Burlington,VT

Depart City Dock at 1045 after a walk and cleaning boat.
1515 South Burlington where we purchased our boat in 2003. We are on a mooring next to our sister ship LITTLE BIT. 80 degs and mostly sunny. Cruised 27 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Whitehall,NY To Vergennes,VT

Depart City Dock 0600. Arrive Vergennes City Dock on Otter Creek, 7 miles off Lake Champlain at 1440. Took hour walk to see all the beautiful old homes. 72 degs and sunny. Cruised 60 miles and one lock.

Fort Edward,NY To Whitehall,NY

0700 Depart City Dock.
1120 Arrive Whitehall City Dock.
79 Degs at noon and sunny. Cruised 24 miles and 4 locks.
Joe & Arvilla

Mechanicaville,NY To Fort Edward,NY

0820 Depart city dock. Lock 3 was on emergency power due to power outage caused by the heat wave. 1410 Arrive Fort Edward City Dock. Four boats at the city dock and we all went out to dinner together. 96 degs and mostly sunny. Cruised 29 miles and 4 locks.
Joe & Arvilla

Waterford,Ny to Mechanicville,NY

We spent Saturday and Sunday in Waterford at the city dock. We visited with fellow loopers. There was a farmers market at the dock on Sunday. We took a walk on the old canal path and did laundry. Monday we departed Waterford at 0720. We arrived at Mechanicville city dock at 1000. 96 degs and sunny on our third day of the heat wave. Only cruised 9 miles on the Champlain Canal.

Saugerties,NY To Waterford,NY

1055 Depart anchorage after waiting for the tide to be rising. 1900 Arrive Waterford,NY. We are tied to a barge because the town dock is full. 75 degs and partly sunny today. Cruised 55 miles. When we approached the Troy lock early this evening we received a call that the police were doing a search....yes for a body. We went through the lock and have not heard if they found the body. What a weird feeling.
Joe & Arvilla

Haverstraw,NY TO Saugerties,NY

0555 Depart Haverstraw Bay anchorage. 1445 Arrived Esopus Creek anchorage in Saugerties,NY. 76 degs and partly sunny. Beautiful Hudson river valley with many churches, monasteries, and convents. Cruised 66 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Nyack,NY To Haverstraw,NY

1100 Departed mooring and arrived at Haverstraw Bay anchorage at 1210. Cruised 8 miles. Rain and wind overnight 63 degs at 1200 and cloudy.
Joe & Arvilla

Liberty Island State Park,NJ To Nyack,NY

0600 Depart Liberty Island anchorage. Beautiful view of New York sky line heading up the Hudson River. 1000 Arrive Nyack Yacht Club mooring. Shopped and filled water tank. 80 degs and sunny. Cruised 33 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Manasquan,NJ To Liberty State Park,NJ

0520 Depart Manasquan anchorage. Two to three foot swells on the Atlantic Ocean. 1200 Arrived at the Statue Of liberty and took pictures off the bow. 1235 Arrived Liberty State Park anchorage. 75 degs and sunny. Cruised 47 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Ventnor City,NJ To Manasquan,NJ

0635 Departed Ventnor City anchorage. 1715 Arrived Manasquan anchorage at The Glimmer Glass. 82 degs and mostly sunny. Cruised 70 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Cape May,NJ To Ventnor City,NJ

0615 Depart Cape May. 1130 Ran aground and received a tow to deep water. 1330 Anchored at Ventnor City. 67 Degs and mostly cloudy. Cruised 43 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Chesapeake City,MD To Cape May,NJ

0515 Departed city dock. Ran 13 miles on the C&D Canal and 56 miles across Delaware Bay. 1445 Arrived at Cape May,NJ. Anchored on Sunset Lake. 71 degs and sunny. Cruised 75 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Solomon's,MD To Chesapeake City,MD

We stayed in Annapolis on Wednesday and did some sightseeing, and met some boaters that we had met in Florida. 0530 Departed Solomon's anchorage. 1345 Arrived Chesapeake City city dock. Toured Army Corps of Engineers museum. Sunny and 80 degs. Cruised 58 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Solomon's,MD To Annapolis,MD

We spent Friday thru Monday at Solomon, MD. We did some sightseeing and visited with some special friends that we met and have been boating with.
Tuesday departed Solomon's anchorage at 0525. 1225 arrived Annapolis anchorage on Back Creek. Walk to grocery store. Partly sunny and 84 degs. cruised 55 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Prentice Creek,Ditchley,VA to Solomon's, MD

0522 Departed Prentice Creek anchorage.
1245 Arrived Solomon's,MD. Anchored on back Creek. 68 Degs and mostly sunny. Cruised 52 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Ampro Shipyard To Ditchley,VA, 60 Miles East Of Richmond,VA

Monday afternoon,all day Tuesday, and Wednesday morning had cooling problem repaired.
1235 Departed Ampro Shipyard. 1550 Arrived Prentice Creek anchorage near Ditchley, VA. 66 degs and partly sunny with afternoon thundershowers. Cruised 24 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Hampton, VA To 55 Miles East of Richmond, VA

0526 Depart Hampton anchorage. Underway until engine cooling problem at 1100. Towed for 3.5 hours to Ampro Shipyard, Irvington, VA, 55 miles east of Richmond, VA. Mike the mechanic will check the engine at 0730 on Tuesday. Sunny and 68 degs. Underway and towed 58 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Deep Creek, VA To Hampton, VA

0925 Depart Deep Creek Lock. Passed battleship USS Wisconsin and many military vessels. 1306 arrived Hampton, VA anchorage on the Hampton River. Sunny and 70 degs. Cruised 26 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Elizabeth City, NC To Deep Creek, VA, 10 Miles South Of Norfolk, VA

0715 Depart Elizabeth City dock. 1100 lockage at South Mills Lock. Raised 12 feet to the level of the Dismal Swamp Cannel. Two hour delay at the visitors center while the Corps Of Engineers removed a truck from the cannel that ran off the road Thursday night. Shopped and had cake because it is Tourist Week. 1645 arrived at Elizabeth's dock at Deep Creek, VA. 81 degs and mostly cloudy with light rain in AM. Sunny in PM. Cruised 40 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

70 Miles South Of Norfolk, VA To Elizabeth City, NC

Midnight Wednesday moved to anchorage on the Alligator River to avoid some of the wind.
Thursday 0555 departed anchorage. Anchored on Albemarle Sound for two hours in 3 to 4 foot waves to work on engine cooling problem.
1235 arrived Elizabeth City, NC city dock. 3 mile walk to grocery store. 1630 Wine, cheese and roses for the lady's reception hosted by the mayor and some long time city boaters. Sunny and a high temp of 79 degs. Cruised 39 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Oriental, NC To 70 Miles South Of Norfolk, VA

0535 Depart anchorage on Greens Creek. 1744 Arrived anchorage near highway 64, 70 miles south of Norfolk. Mostly sunny with a high temp of 79 degs. Cruised 94 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Oriental,NC

Saturday 20 minute bike ride to church. Sunday and Monday at Oriental City Dock. Many boats waiting with us for the wind to subside. Oriental has a population of 1000 people and 3000 boats. There are 20 people here that have circumnavigated the world and one person did it with no instruments, not even a compass. There is a harbor web camera so the locals can tell who is at the city dock. A lot of people came down to visit, even some former Plover,WI residents. The local news reporter did a interview
with us on Monday.
Tuesday departed the city dock and cruised for two hours but came back and anchored at Greens Creek due to the wind. High temp's between 67 & 72 degs and 46 for a low Tuesday. Days have been mostly sunny and 1.30 inches during a thunderstorm Sunday evening.
Joe & Arvilla

Spooner's Creek To Oriental, NC

Friday at Spooner's Creek due to high wind.
Saturday departed anchorage 0635. Arrived Oriental,NC City Dock at 1140. 85 degs and mostly sunny. Cruised 30 miles. Check distance to church and shop at West Marine with bike.
Joe & Arvilla

Jacksonville, NC To Morehead City, NC

0624 Depart Mile Hammock Bay. 1123 Arrive Spooner's Creek, 3 miles west of Morehead City, NC. 74 Degs and partly cloudy. Cruised 36 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Carolina Beach, NC To 15 Miles Southeast of Jacksonville,NC

0935 Departed Carolina Beach State Park after one hour walk. 1715 Arrived Mile Hammock Bay. 77 Degs and sunny all day. Cruised 52 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Carolina Beach,NC State Park

In port today. Clean boat. Go shopping. Clean Boat. Repair bike tire. Clean boat.
73 degs and mostly cloudy with light rain late afternoon.
Joe & Arvilla

Dutchmans Creek To Carolina Beach State Park

0623 departed Dutchmans Creek anchorage. 0800 Arrived Carolina Beach State Park. 45 minute bike ride to church,laundry, and shopping. Visit with Looper friends from Connecticut. Light rain early then sunny and 79 degs. Cruised 13 miles.
Joe& Arvilla

Waccamaw River To 20 Miles South Of Wilmington,NC

0625 Departed anchorage on the Waccamaw River. 1545 Arrived anchorage on Dutchman's Creek, 20 miles south of Wilmington, NC. 76 degs and mostly sunny. Cruised 68 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Georgetown To 10 West Of Myrtle Beach

0700 Friday Depart Minim Creek anchorage. 0900 Arrive Georgetown for diesel, shopping, and visit with Minnesota friends. Arrive anchorage Friday on the Waccamaw River, 10 miles west of Myrtle Beach. Sunny and 79 degs for high temp. cruised 45 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Charleston, SC To 10 Miles SE Of Georgetown, SC

0626 Dept Charleston anchorage. Overnight low temp was 57 degs. 1400 arrive Minim Creek anchorage, 10 miles SE of Georgetown,SC. Sunny and 72 degs high temp. Cruised 54 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

20 Miles Southwest Of Charleston To Charleston, SC

0635 Departed anchorage on Tom Point Creek. Low temp. was 47 degs. 1035 Arrived Charleston, SC anchorage on the Ashley River. Toured Charleston and shopped. Sunny with high temp. of 68 degs. Cruised 27 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Beaufort,SC To 20 Miles Southwest Of Charleston,SC.

0715 Depart Beaufort anchorage. 1257 Arrive Tom Point Creek near Charleston. 69 degs and sunny. Cruised 43 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Savannah, GA To Beaufort, SC

Departed anchorage on the Herb River at 0700 after a Saturday afternoon rain of 0.45" and evening fireworks from two Savannah locations. Arrived at Beaufort, SC City Dock at 1315. Toured the beautiful old homes and cemeteries in Beaufort. Sunny and 74 degs. Cruised 48 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Brunswick, GA To Savannah, GA

0655 Departed anchorage on Cattle Pen creek. Anchored on Turner Creek near Savannah to shop. 1612 anchored on the Herb River near Savannah. 77 degs and sunny today. Cruised 44 miles. The no-see-ums were bad last night and this morning.
Joe & Arvilla

Brunswick, GA. To 30 miles South Of Savannah, GA.

0655 Departed Frederica River anchorage. 1320 Arrived at anchorage on Cattle Pen Creek. Very few homes and mostly marsh with excellent visibility. Boats are visible for many miles. 73 degs at 1330 and sunny most of the day. Cruised 44 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Jekyll Island, GA To Brunswick, Ga.

0707 Depart anchorage on the Brickhill River. A bit uncomfortable crossing St. Andrew Sound due to wind and current. Anchored a few hours at Jekyll Is. to wait for the wind to subside before crossing St. Simons Sound. 1505 arrived at anchorage on the Frederica River, 7 miles northeast of Brunswick. 73 degs at 1530 with clouds in morning and sunny in the afternoon. Cruised 28 miles.
Joe & Arvilla

Jacksonville FL. To 13 Miles South Of Jekyll Island, GA

Departed Ft. George River anchorage at 0730. Filled with diesel at Florida Petroleum in Fernandina Beach, FL. Arrived at our anchorage on the Brickhill River, 12 miles south of Jekyll Island, GA. at 1450. Sunny and 73 degs at 1500. Cruised 42 miles today.
Joe & Arvilla

St. Augustine Fl. To Jacksonville, FL.

Saturday and Sunday were spent touring St. Augustine. Anchored Friday and Saturday near Fort Castillo de San Marcos which was built in 1672. Fireworks were shot off Saturday night from the Fort. Sunday we went to Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine which was built in 1793. Anchored at Salt Run Sunday night near the St. Augustine Light House. Departed St. Augustine at 0755 and arrived at our anchorage northeast of Jacksonville on the Ft. George River at 1345. Replaced a leaky A/C water pump. Sunny
and 79 degs.
Joe & Arvilla

Daytona Beach, FL To St. Augustine, FL

Departed anchorage at Daytona Beach at 0655. Arrived anchorage at St. Augustine at 1357. Sunny, little wind and a high temp. of 75 degs.
Joe & Arvilla

Adison Point, FL TO Daytona Beach, FL

Departed Addison Point Anchorage at 0725. Arrived at Daytona Beach anchorage near the ICW at 1525. Sunny with light wind and a high temp. of 69 degs. Cruised 56 miles today. Today we saw less big homes and more fish villages.
Joe & Arvilla

Vero Beach, FL To Addison Point, FL

Tuesday we used the Vero Beach free bus to spend some time in town.
Wednesday departed Vero Beach anchorage at 0715. North wind guesting to 35 mph with 3 ft. waves on the ICW. High temp. was 66 degs. 1705 arrived at Addison Point, FL and anchored south of the NASA Causeway. Cruised 66 miles today.
Joe and Arvilla

Ft. Pierce, FL To Vero Beach, FL

1435 Departed Ft. Pierce City Marina after visiting with grandson Alex, friends from Stevens Point, and Loren Hart who is the builder of our Lord Nelson Victory Tug. Arrived at Vero Beach mooring field at 1700. 76 degs and mostly sunny today and 54 degs for the overnight low.
Joe & Arvilla

Manatee Pocket To Ft. Pierce, FL

0750 Departed Manatee Pocket. Arrived at Ft. Pierce City Marina at 1130. 24 miles and light pleasure boat traffic for a Sunday. 85 degs and sunny until a front moved in and dropped the temp. to 71 but still sunny.
For the Hams I am on 14,318.2 daily at 0900 CDST.
Joe & Arvilla

Lake Worth To Stuart, FL

Departed Lake Worth anchorage at 0640. Arrived at Manatee Pocket anchorage south of Stuart at 1100. Sunny and 88 degs. Cruised 28 miles today. The scenery has been mansions and marinas for the past few days.
Joe & Arvilla

Ft. Lauderdale Beach To North Palm Beach, FL

0730 Departed Ft. Lauderdale anchorage after a quiet night. The QE2 departed Ft. Lauderdale at supper time so there was a lot of security and helicopter noise for an hour or so. All of our day was in a canal so we had many bridges and lots of wake from passing boats. 1530 arrived at Lake Worth anchorage near north Palm Beach. Many boats at anchor in this beautiful anchorage. Mostly sunny with a trace of rain and high temp. of 83 degs.
Joe & Arvilla

North Of Key Largo To Fort Lauderdale Beach

0730 Departed anchorage after a windy night and lots of swinging on the anchor. Passed through Miami and Ft.. Lauderdale with boats and ships of all sizes. Very interesting scenery. 1545 arrived at our anchorage in Lake Sylvia near Ft. Lauderdale Beach, a beautiful place to anchor. Click on "our location" and then click on Hybrid to check it out. Sunny and 81 degs.
Joe and Arvilla

Tavernier, FL To North of Key Largo

1100 Departed Tavernier. 1550 arrived at anchorage north of Key Largo in Biscayne Bay. 32 miles today and high temp of 84,sunny and very windy. 32 miles today.
Joe & Arvilla

Lignumvitae Key To Tavernier, FL

0730 Departed anchorage. Arrived Mangrove Marina in Tavernier, FL at 0950. 76 degs today and cloudy. Visited with friends most of the day.
Joe & Arvilla

Little Shark River To Lignumvitae Key,FL

3.72" of rain with lightning during the night. Six boats at anchor with us. The no seeums
came out at dark.
0740 departed anchorage. 1 to 2 foot waves on the Gulf. Sunny all day with a 81 deg high and sea temp of 79.
1515 arrived at Lignumvitae Key. 54 miles today.
Joe & Arvilla

Goodland, Fl To The Little Shark River

Saturday we stayed at Goodland due to the wind on the gulf. We took the dingy ashore and went for a walk and visited with people aboard their 39 Ft trawler.
0810 Sunday departed Goodland anchorage and had 1 to 2 ft. waves on the gulf. We stayed in the Everglades National Park waters so we could avoid the crab pots. 1558 arrived at the Little Shark River and are anchored out for the night. We are between Everglades City and Flamingo, FL.
Weather today was sunny and 85 Degs. We made 55 miles today.
Joe Glinski

Naples, FL to Goodland, FL

Thursday,3 April had a visit with the owners of NELLIE D.,a 37 Ft Lord Nelson Victory Tug that was built a few months after OUR VILLA. It was very interesting to note the differences in our boats. In the afternoon we had a boat ride with friends from Plover and a cookout dinner.
Friday, 4 April, departed Pelican Isle Yacht Club at 0930 after a one hour walk and doing a load of laundry. The gulf had 3 to 4 foot waves and we took a lot of water on the deck and it shorted out the controls for the windless and the anchor went down all by itself when we were on the old ICW north of Marco Island. We are anchored near Goodland, FL at 1530 for the night. We only made 38 miles due to a lot of slow no wake areas. 82 degs at 1600 and sunny all day.
Joe & Arvilla

Ft Myers Beach To Naples

Purchased diesel and departed Ft. Myers Beach at 0903.
The gulf was calm all the way to Naples.
Arrived Pelican Isle Yacht Club at 1150.
Had supper and visited with friends from Plover.
86 degs and mostly sunny with a few showers in the afternoon.
Joe & Arvilla

Punta Gorda, FL To Ft. Myers Beach, FL

Departed Fisherman's Village Yacht Basin at 0810.
Arrived ft. Myers Beach mooring field at 1610.
81 degs and mostly sunny with a few afternoon showers.
It was hard to leave all the wonderful friends that we met on "B" dock at Fisherman's Village. Thanks to all of them for the 5 o'clock daily meetings and rides they gave us as we have no car.

Fisherman's Village Yacht Basin

Fisherman's Village Yacht Basin,Punta Gorda, FL

We are still in Punta Gorda,FL. Karen and Hugh, Scott, and Steve have been aboard for a few days. We also had company from Madison and Plover for a few days. We have done road trips to Lake Placid, Cape Coral, Cape Haze, Long Boat Key, Englewood, Venice and Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island.
Gary Kramer, correspondent for Heart Land Boating and Quimby's Cruising guide was aboard for a visit. He wrote a article for a Quad Cities newspaper about our boating adventures a few years ago.
We will be leaving for the Keys at the end of the month.
Joe & Arvilla

Alligator Sighting

We finally saw our first alligator. It was in the marina.
Tuesday two couples from Wisconsin came to visit and we all went out for dinner.
Joe and Arvilla

Friday 29 Feb 08

We are still in Punta Gorda and will leave here on 1 April heading for the Keys.
Doing lots of boat projects, day trips in the area and visiting. Scott and Steve were here for a few days.
For the hams I am on 14,318.2 at 0900 Central time almost every day.
Joe and Arvilla

Happy 2008

Left our friends wonderful dock on a cannel in Punta Gorda on 1 January 08 and arrived at Fisherman's Village Yacht Basin at 1315 before the wind picked up. The north wind blew all night and blew a lot of the water to the south end of Charlotte Harbor so that Wednesday morning at low tide the dock was 10 feet above the water and the boat was hard aground. We were looking up at the bottom side of the dock. In order for Arvilla to get out of the boat we launched the dinghy and got to shore in the
dinghy. 51 degrees for a high on Wednesday. Wednesday morning low was 42 degrees and with all the wind our tomato plant looks pretty sick so we put it inside the boat. We sure hope it survives. Went for a one hour walk and also went to a craft show in the nearby mall. We wish everyone a very great 2008.
Joe and Arvilla