Sabula to Burlington Iowa

Leaving Sabula Iowa we had to wait for the fog curtain to lift, once
we got out and were heading south we were given permission from the
towboat C Michael Reeves to go through lock 16 ahead of her, Bob
thinks the Capt may have been "kindly" because a couple of days prior
to this, while I was at the helm, I asked the C Michael Reeves which
side the Capt wished to "see me on" He replied that I could choose
either side, I came back with "Oh, Capt...you're going to give a woman
a choice?" with a laugh, then told him I would see him on the One
Whistle side. As I passed him he came out of the pilot house and gave
me a bow and waved his hat at me. When we passed him the second time
at lock 16 he gave me a big blast of his horn as I came out to do
fenders, and of course I gave him a bow back!

Lots of these High Rise's along the river! While at Big Muddy's in
Burlington last night for our 16th anniversary dinner we were told
that these high rises were about the only dry place to be last year as
a levee broke and flooded homes that have never had even a close call
previously.

I love seeing Veda L. in front of the Burlington bridge, this is the
same type of bridge that was being proposed for Stillwater at one
time, I would not mind it in the least. Very picturesque!

No real snakes here....just a crooked street called Snake Alley, it
was built as a short cut from the bluff to the downtown area in the
1800's, the bricks were laid at an angle so that horses would have an
easier time gripping the road with their hooves.

While in Sabula I had decided to take a run; found a beautiful road
adjacent to the marina that led to a park and beach, when I got back
45 min. later I told Bob it was a 3 snake run...2 dead and 1 alive.
The alive one prompted me to leave a blue streak of profanity in my
wake........

Fun trip so far, the only problems so far are all technology related,
a learning curve for sure, but I muddling my way through it all.
Life is Swell on Veda L!

Dead Man's Slough

Message from Linda:

We were running on radar through Dead Man's Slough between Prairie Du Chein and Genoa, the fog closed in, we love our radar!

Click on a video below to watch it:

	fog running on radar Video Length 0:50 Click here to watch

To learn more about the Flip Video Camcorder, click here.

Invitation to view Linda's Picasa Web Album - Mia cruises to Pepin '09

You are invited to view Linda's photo album: Mia cruises to Pepin '09 Mia cruises to Pepin '09 Sep 20, 2009 by Linda View Album Play slideshow Message from Linda: This is rather old news as we sit at BIG MUDDY'S in Burlington Iowa on Sept 25th, our 16th anniversary, but not many internet connections to be had so far, so this is the start of the trip, check out the most darling child ever, never to early to turn children into river rats! We are having a romantic dinner gazing at our "home" securely tied to the dock in front of the restaurant. A lot of local boat lovers coming down asking "where ya headed?" If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=lindabesk&target=ALBUM&id=5383673016454911681&authkey=Gv1sRgCJbE2oDZ0JnnKg&invite=CNjHpf0K&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account.

Lock 3 with Amelia, her first cruise on the mighty Mississippi, she is a great little boater baby!
We left the Bayport Marina at 7:30 Friday morning, a beautiful day to enjoy my family and the scenery as we headed to Pepin. Ted and Rachael joined us for our last day with them for awhile. I could barely stand it, just thinking about being away from them. Last week we almost lost our little Mia; if it were not for her Mother's intuition and fast CPR action we don't even want to think of the consequences. Tell every person you know to get a refresher course in CPR including infant CPR, and nobody leave their children with parents or babysitters who have not been recently certified in CPR. I am getting recertified when I come home to see them in October.

After a smooth docking at Dan's Pepin Marina we walked over to Smith Brothers Landing and bought some iron garden ornaments for Rachael & Ted's yard, he will be bringing his
iron works to the Hudson Art Fair that is coming up soon, and will bring a custom piece for my friend Teary at The Mulvey Inn to place beside his new labrynith that was recently created in the yard of the Inn.

Dinner at Harbor View, as usual a fabulous meal, Rachael had the Pesce, I had the chicken fetticini with tons of garlic and chipolte sauce, Bob had the swedish meatballs and Teddy the Angus steak. Bob and I have been married for 16 years now and will celebrate our anniversary Sept 25, but I talked him into giving me my present early, NIGHT VISION GOGGLES!! I was so excited that after dinner we all took turns looking out into Lake Pepin to see the "night life" all we saw were ducks, but it made me think how much fun this is going to be in gator country, and fun when anchored in these little creeks that we tuck Veda L into, wild pigs coming down to drink at night and such. Now...if I could only take photos!

This will be our last "family page" the rest of my stories will be of our trip and the scens along the way. Everyone hug their kids and be sure that they all have the best of care, love your families like today is the last day of your life.
Next stop.....LaCrosse, then Marquette!

Buddy's Bon Voyage party with his entourage from Stillwater Vet Clinic~ We had a lot of fun and told lots of stories! Buddy got to see his Dr's and staff in a whole different way, but he really sniffed the air when they came into his stateroom! I smell medicine, nobody poke me or they get thrown overboard!
Here Buddy is ready for the Southern waters, he's wearing sunglasses, a full tank of diesel but he is missing his half a pack of smokes..... (Blues Brothers)
Buddy says that whoever wears the Capt hat gives the orders, "start up the Cat engine Bob..I want to see Bayport off the stern!"





Dr Jen is my sweetheart, I asked her to try to find some sunscreen for my delicate nose and ears, and she came through with a personal bottle that even has my photo embossed on it, I must be famous!!! I surprised my crew when they found my catnip gopher that I put into their box that was packed to go to the boat. Bob thought that Linda had packed it; Linda thought that Bob had packed it. They should have seen me carrying it over to the box and packing it so I would have it to play with onboard my boat.

Bon Voyage from a great bunch of people who Buddy owes his life to!

My beautiful daughter in law looking mighty fashionable by her new old fashioned screen door, bit by bit, piece by piece her Stillwater home is getting updated in historic fashion!

Hello! We are located at mile marker 78 on the Mississippi. It's been a great trip. Check out this great video of Capt. Bob Parking Veda L

Check out this funny video of my daughter in law.... the ugly six Check out our 48 North Sea Krogen.