Days 17-19 – 10/20-22/23

Starting location: Green Turtle Bay Marina, KY

Weather: Sunny, low to high 70s

Ending location: Same

Statute miles: 0

General summary: We had arranged, after several phone calls to the marina, then to boat works, then on to the next referral, to meet with an electronics specialist at 8:30am on Friday. This is part of the reason we raced back to GTB. There is a term “boat bucks” in boating. One boat buck is $1000. We had already spent an unanticipated boat buck on our new trailer fender. Now we need a new radio and antenna – two more boat bucks. For safety reasons, we need a working radio to verbally communicate and for other boaters to “see” us on their navigation equipment (via our MMSI number from the FCC), especially once we get to the Gulf of Mexico and other large open water sections where waves can get in the way of visuals. Also connects to our “disaster” alarm that alerts the Coast Guard if we are in serious trouble. Had to do it and did not feel coerced or fleeced. Excellent, friendly service. Also, the radio specific to our system needed to be ordered and wouldn’t arrive until Monday, so extended our marina stay through the weekend. We don’t usually sit still this long. Several trips into town for bakery items, groceries, ice cream. Local strolls. Checked out the marina gym, sauna, pool, boat supply store (aka “chandlery”), and “Trendy Turtle” t-shirt shop. Did lots of laundry. Had dinner at the Yacht Club restaurant (catfish and hush puppies) and cooked on the boat while we had shore power. Met many other Loopers. Missed out on “docktales” the first night – Loopers getting together for byob and snacks, swapping stories, hanging out and getting to know each other. Several people had “crossed their wake” here so those were celebrated. Assumed they were nightly, but didn’t occur again this stop. Will prioritize in the future. Heard from those who had passed through the Chicago locks that everything had been spectacularly organized by Kim Russo with the AGLCA. Required organization of groups of “flotillas” with a leader each and rafting up (tying boats side-by-side) through locks. Good to hear it went well! FINALLY caught up on blog posts. It was actually nice to stay put for a bit.

Boater information: Be prepared for things to break and need replacement. (“Everything on your boat is broken, you just don’t know it yet”) Boat bucks will be necessary. Your itinerary will be altered (and probably best not to have too much of one).