Travels of the Colorado Cat

Here's To National Champagne Day

August 4, 2017

In order for Lea to earn her first mate stripes, she has to write tonight's blog.

Needless to say, it feels like coming home being back on the Colorado Cat. I hopped on board Tuesday in Chicago, and a very special thanks to Ellie Lincoln for picking me up at the airport. We were able to spend most of the day with her which was nice, had lunch downtown at a fancy grocery store, and later walked Navy Pier. We have been on the Illinois river since leaving Chicago. It is heavy tree lined on both sides, and we were amazed at what little personal boat traffic is on it, only tugs pushing barges, really large barges.

Today is one of Penny and my favorite national holidays: it is National Champagne Day, and yes, surprisingly, we have celebrated it appropriately. Our day started at 04:30 with Jim changing the oil in both of these magnificent diesel engines; 05:30 Penny and I defrosting the refrigerator, and us taking off at 7:20. Today we only went approximately 40 miles in order to be able to stop at the last available marina for the next 120 miles. We passed by Peoria, which is a larger industrial town, and the only lock of the day could be described as a "drive-by", we didn't have to stop and tie off which was a pleasant surprise.

We are docked at a charming marina, Tall Timbers, in Havana Illinois, which is quaint but so likable. Penny and I walked to town, and like so many of our small downtowns, it is withering away, but hanging on.

I earned my First Mate stripes on this trip by meeting the following qualifications:

1. Holding the flashlight for Jim when he was finishing the oil change.

2. Providing the necessary equipment for refrigerator defrosting: blow-dryer.

3. Tied a bumper with a knot that did not slip.

4. Erected the antenna.

5. Learned the meaning of "let-go".

6. Re-learned the meaning of bow, stern, port, starboard.

7. Threw the lines without knocking the deck master over.

8. Learned the correct way to push away from the walls.

I will be leaving in the next couple of days, flying from St. Louis, and I have to say, the time has flown by. The more time I am on the boat, the longer I want to stay. Safe travels, Colorado Cat, and hurry home.