The Start of our "Great Loop" Adventure

It's August 17, 2006 and 6 AM this morning we started our "Great Loop" which will include the Tennessee and Cumberland river. We left our home port in Evansville in the rain and continue downstream. There is some current from recent rain (we dodged bullet, to the west of us they got 4-6 inches of rain) enabling us to do an easy 9 mph.

Here I am installing our newly minted AGLCA "Great Loop" Burgee  on the bow of Quiet Company.

From here we left in the marina headed down the stream our to our next stop the JT Meyer Locks and Dam below Mount Vernon Indiana.

On the way to Mount Vernon we passed by the Babcock Wilcox factory that years ago made parts for a nuclear power plants. It boast one of the largest suspended crane systems on the inland waterway system.

Next stop was the JT Meyer lock and dam below Mount Vernon. We locked down approximately 18 feet and proceeded southbound downstream.

Lots of current coming from the Wabash River helps us make good time.

The pictures not real good but 11 miles an hour on the speedometer is why some rain before departure was an advantage for us this leg. 

This house always catches our eye.

 People are fixing up houses all along the way.

Some building new in a great locations with great views!

One of our favorite sites is Cave n Rock State park.

Then it's on to Elizabeth Town Illinois for the best catfish anywhere.

Now we finish off what was a great first day with a great sunset! All is well?

Getting ready for the next adventure

Well today is August 2nd and we are starting to get ready for our trip to Luka Mississippi and then on to Knoxville Tennessee. Why Luka MS? Well QC needs to come out of the water and have her bottom inspected.  Later this year (2016) it will be 3 years since she has been out of the water. Best practices say it's time to lift her out of the water and see what she looks like. Here are a few pictures of the last time she was pulled when we had her surveyed (appraised)  at time of purchase in Green Vove Springs below Jacksonville on the St Johns river. We don't see any excessive amount of growth on the bottom but that what good bottom maintenance is all about. So out she comes!

Power washing the hull.

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The boat still had the name John Henry from previous owner

Looks much better with new paint and the Props polished and Prop Speed coating applied.

So we are preparing to travel to the Tennessee River which has many Boat yards with lifts that can haul out a 60,000 lbs boat. We have heard glowing reviews from people that have used Lee Spry Marine in Luka Mississippi. Lee has a 100 ton lift which is very capable of lifting QC out of the water safely. They also have a prop shop in Luka that is one of the best in the country, so the props are going in for balancing and tuning. Oh, we are also going to change out the starboard PSS Dripless seal. It was last replaced 6 years ago so it is again time to at a minimum time to replace the rubber boot.

 http://www.shaftseal.com/en/categories/300000001/preview

And repair anything else that need attention. I may also add a bottom sonar so we can see what's below us in the water.

Major Moves

This Tow is really unique, hence why I have three shots of the rig.

Shriners Fest in Evansville was GREAT!

We had the opportunity to be the Centerline boat for the Airshow. 

https://youtu.be/WHTubw59Pn0

Bend of the River

Spring has sprung and the Ohio is beautiful! This is the view from our home Marina (Inland Marina). Evansville Indiana is in the background. The river is at 14 feet and right now is 80 degrees. No rain in sight.

New Phifertex window Sun screens

New Phifertex window screens are now installed and I think they look great! It a amazing how much heat they reflect away from the boat and you can still see through them from inside. They snap on and off and are easily removable. Have not gotten he bill yet so hope it doesn't make me feel different....

Ohio River at French Island

These two pictures are the Ohio River at French Island which is upstream on the Newburgh Locks and Dam. As you can see the water is brown with sediment from spring rains (10 feet above pool depth).

No wind and very little traffic.