09/08 - 09/11 - 2016 7th Annual Mississippi River Gathering

AM started with a visit with Dr Tom England (dairy vet. ). Did 3 locks & had the prop fouled badly with weeds! At first I thought we had spun a hub. Tried "floating" going up locking... Was more like "circling". At wabasha, & going to have dinner at "Slippery's" (where "Grumpy Old Men " was filmed. Too far to walk, so taking the boat to their dock.

One lock tomorrow, and probably stay at a casino dock, then up the St. Croix.
 
We are sitting in the Treasure Island Casino marina, just a little above RedWing MN. It is a first class operation. Harbor mistress spotted us coming in their channel, and got us a great slip near the shore. Plus we are next to the "cruise liner" dock--I figure that maybe we can get "Wild Blue Jim" running the Mississippi River on that 100 footer! (Got bow and stern thrusters).

What friendly people! A group of oriental ladies were in front of us in line. We visited with them, and it was a hoot--then when one of the gals saw me not getting the most out of my crab legs, she showed me the "Minnesota way"---It really was better!

Tonight was all you could eat seafood buffet. We both had 1 1/2 king Crab. But there were oysters, shrimp. and just about anything else you could imagine. Get there early (3:30 for 4 PM opening)--all of the locals come for the all you can eat seafood.

Lake Pepin was a bit choppy, but fortunately the wind was with us. Nice easy run of about 40 miles. Took a nap, then dinner...A rain shower this evening---and in the AM. Then we will run up to St. Croix River.

Last night we had "Fried, Cheese Curds": The hostess said those were the best food she had ever eaten--I'll bet she never had King Crab! It turns out that despite all of the rumors, that "Grumpy Old Men" was never filmed at Slippery's restaurant. There were not enough hotel rooms in Wabasha for the film crew, and it was filmed elsewhere, including on sound stages...The story was loosely about Slippery's, and some of the local characters...
 
Thanks to Bill (DaNag), I resolved my non posting photo issue, and put a few pictures from the gathering on the gathering photo album.
 
On St Croix River: Stillwater, Mn. Free slips: $10 for power. Wonderful "Resort"...tourist town. Wonderful people watching nestled between 6 tour boats. 5 of the boats are paddle wheelers. Just saw 300 people herded onto a dinner cruise!
 
Ahoy C-Brats,

A big "Thank You" to the crews on Bixby's Cub, Pelican, and Terry & Jay. You folks put together a wonderful weekend with great food, lots of laughs, and fun conversation. It was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

Joni and I had a wonderful time on Lake Cumberland. It's a beautiful lake with clear, 82 degree water. We returned home yesterday (18th) and trying to get back to normalcy. Already looking forward to next year's gathering. Stay safe, everyone.

Paul & Joni aboard the Joni Lynn
 
thataway":9sa35vt0 said:
On St Croix River: Stillwater, Mn. Free slips: $10 for power. Wonderful "Resort"...tourist town. Wonderful people watching nestled between 6 tour boats. 5 of the boats are wheelers. Just saw 300 people herded onto a dinner cruise!
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are having a great time. How many total river miles will you make this trip?

With cooler fall temps, it could be a great fall trip for Nancy and I.

We hope to be on KY lake the first week in October.
 
We have made 367 River miles on this trip. We are going to pull out in the next few days at Dubuque. The ice Harbor Marina closes R tomorrow at noon due to flood stage of the Mississippi, and the flood gates will be closed.

We met the OARs Google photo project rowers today. The whole River to its mouth, rowing 2 17 foot Jersy Skiff type pulling boats, with a tower & Google 30 camera array on the bow. 15,000 photos a day!

The people you meet are the key. We went far faster than we wanted, due to health issues.

If anyone is interested I will have a PDF file with photos and the story of our trip. Too long to post here; send me a P M with your email & I will send it to you.
 
Our last night on the Mississippi. We checked Ice Harbor today, and the water level there is over 10' lower than the river! Some of the docks along the main river are underwater, and the tour boats are going to the bank.

The Harbor Master at Ice Harbor asked me if the C Brats were interested in a gathering there. They would provide a tent and area in case of acclimate weather. It is an entirely different venue than American Marine--and something for the powers who schedule the gatherings to consider. All boats would be close, the bath and showers are as good as we have seen anywhere, they are close to the ships. RV's would be OK in the parking lot. We were told that the National Museum of the Mississippi is not to be missed, and we agree!

At American Marine, Catfish Charlies, transient docks--part of the sidewalk is underwater. All admire the C Dory, and remember the gatherings.

It's sunset, the sky is clearing and the river is still rising!
 
Just talked to Ken.
He is working his magic with the folks at the Clinton Iowa marina on the Mississippi River for 2017.
Details in the coming months.

But you do not have to wait to mark your calendar.

As always the Mississippi River gathering will be the weekend following Labor day weekend. In 2017 that will be September 7-10th

See you there.

Tex and Sharon
 
texasair":so32ocz7 said:
Just talked to Ken.
He is working his magic with the folks at the Clinton Iowa marina on the Mississippi River for 2017.
Details in the coming months.

But you do not have to wait to mark your calendar.

As always the Mississippi River gathering will be the weekend following Labor day weekend. In 2017 that will be September 7-10th

See you there.

Tex and Sharon
Click to expand...

If you mean Skipper Bud's, Clinton Marina then it is a great choice. They are a first rate marina operator.
 
We stopped at Clinton on our way down the river in '15. Both Penny and I had a very memorial experience in the showers late at night. The lights of that great new facility are on a motion sensor & timer. In the men's restroom/ shower the shower plugged up about when the timer turned off the light half way thru my shower. I had to run to the front of the building in the nude, pitch-black dark, no flashlight to get the lights on. When the motion detector "discovered" me, there I was in all my nude glory, slipping on the wet floor. With Penny, her drain didn't plug but she also had to run to the front room of the complex to get light.

We can laugh now.

Chuck
 
Ken, Pat, Tex and Sharon thanks for hosting a most memorial C-Brat gathering. Joyce and I get a big smile whenever we think of it! The food was fantastic thanks to Terry, Jay and many others. The fellowship is unbelievable...its like family! We laugh together at the good times which are many and morn together at the sad times as when we said "sail on" to Bruce Cassel. We had the opportunity to enjoy the "second best" Mark Twain.....Tex you are still number ONE in my book. I'm not going to "rank" our Elvis impersonator but I break out in a BIG laugh whenever I think about him! The ladies were "rocking". How many times do you get to rescue "Elvis" from the very intoxicated red neck boaters.....what a night! Thanks for the memories!

We look forward to being together with everyone again at Clinton next year...Lord willing.

Ken..you always ask me for a grading of the gathering and once again the hosts and workers earned an A+!

If you are ready to lower your expectations a little and it fits into your schedule feel free to join us on the St. Johns river at Hontoon Island for our forth annual CBGT on March 7,8,9 2017. Most spend a week or longer touring the St. John's and side rivers.

God Bless all and have a Merry Christmas and a C-Doryous New Year!

Tom and Joyce
 
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