The Big Drive
In the last six weeks we drove from coast to coast to coast and half again--about 9500 miles in all. We attended two Lord Nelson Victory Tug rendezvous, visited our mothers and mooched off many friends. To all, thank you!
We Leave, Spiders Arrive
On the seventh week we rested. Nellie's slip rent was pre-paid so why rush off? In fairness several hours a day was spent evicting spiders. What a mess they make.
My Troublesome $35 Gasket
Also, a coolant-leaking gasket between the Cummin's turbo charger and exhaust header was replaced. This same gasket was replaced in February during the engine paint job. I'd made a mess of it then as it took two tries before it sealed. Chastened, and now knowing the gasket isn't symmetrical, this last install went much smoother. Time, however, will tell.
The Dreaded Asian Carp
In our cruising careers we've been rammed by fish, dive bombed by pelicans, inundated by snapping shrimp, even sonar pinged 24/7 by the U.S. Navy. But never has our sleep been more disturbed than by Asian carp. These scum suckers (I've always wanted to use that term in context) produce a sound akin to a hyper 10 year old beating on a kettle drum; only louder! Naturally the carp prefer to graze on the stateroom's hull between midnight and 5AM. This intrusive species must be stopped, no expense should be spared. I'm running for President and this is my platform ;-)
Bicki Wondering, "Where is Everybody?"
Bicki's route today had us anchoring in a cozy little spot. Unfortunately, just before it is Paris Landing State Park: pool; wifi; electric (think air conditioning); walking paths; and $27/night. Yea, we need to ease back into the cruising lifestyle slowly; anchoring seems so advanced... Paris Landing it is.
Heading Towards Paducah
It was a beautiful sunny day and the 31 miles between New Johnsonville, TN and Paris Landing, TN flew by. The trip total now stands at 3,227 miles. DBH
