CLEAN

Apr. 28, 2010---Finally a really nice day. With temperature in the upper 70's and no wind it was an ideal day to wash the boat. The "Dream Manor" again sparkles in the sunshine. Gaskets arrived and the sea water pumps were reinstalled on the main engines.

LOCAL-COLUMBUS MARINA

Apr. 27, 2010---Since there are 604 hours on the 315 HP Yanmar diesel engines, we decided to change out the impellers in the sea water pumps before starting this boating season. The task involved taking the pumps apart to access the impellers. We had the impellers and o-rings on hand but found a gasket needed. Ordered gaskets from Laborde Products in Covington, LA.

Bird houses near the lock provide nesting places for Purple Martins. These birds are important in the area as they feed on pesky insects.

John C. Stennis Lock and Dam on the right is located on the TomBigBee Waterway at Columbus,MS.

Photo above is just upstream of the lock.

ARRIVAL

Apr 24, 2010---What a day to travel. The weather was deadly in Mississippi. Fortunately we were about 3 hours behind the front and experienced no problems. Tornados touched down across the central part of Mississippi causing a lot of destruction and loss of life. Town of Yazoo was hit particularily hard. Upon arrival at our boat in Columbus, Mississippi it was a relief to find everything was okay at the marina. There had been about 5 inches of rain with only small hail and no damage was found. Carol chose not to come to the boat until a later date. Clint came along to drive Keith's Vehicle back to Youngsville.

Apr 25, 2010---After traveling on Saturday it was appropriate to spend Sunday getting reaquainted with the "Dream Manor". The boat seemed glad to have someone aboard after the long winter. Exterior of the boat is long over due for a good scrub down. Spiders thought they were in charge until Keith sprayed with some spider killer! Clint drove back home with no problems.

Apr 26, 2010---Windy and cold today. Plans to wash the boat changed! Will wait for warmer weather. Maryann cleaning the inside. There was a little water in the bilge of the cuddy that had come in from the bow storage area during the hard rain. Keith and Allen used sponges to remove the water and clean the collection troughs.

Houseboat Magazine

April 20, 2010----It is has been a dry spell since the blog was updated. Many apologies to the readers. However the weather has finally warmed up and boating season is about to start!

The 4mcgees are making plans to move onto the boat in the next few days. We are looking forward to many new experiences this year as we continue to travel the inland waters of our great country.

Exciting news!!! The April issue of Houseboat Magazine is now available. It features a fine article about the "Dream Manor" and its owners, the 4mcgees. If you do not find a copy of the magazine, the article can be found on the Gibson Boats web site. On the right hand side of this blog look for Gibson Boats and just below that click on http://www.gibsonboats.com
This brings up their home page. Click on the picture that is the cover of "Houseboat" magazine. You must have Adobe Reader to view the article. If you do not have Adobe installed on your computer, when you click on the picture it will show you steps to download a free version.

Many thanks to Brady Kay (editor of Houseboat magazine) for the article. The mcgees are very proud of the layout.

If you go back to the home page of Gibson Boats there are other places to see pictures of the "Dream Manor". Click on "Christmas 2009 Boat Decoration". There are several Gibson boats that are really decorated with lots of lighting. Scroll down to see the "Dream Manor". Not quite so many lights, but still nicely done.

Click on "1st Qtr Newsletter" and you will see a picture of the "Dream Manor" in the upper left corner.

Click on "Media-Magazine Articles & Boat Shows", scroll down & near the bottom click on the line "February 2008 Louisville, Ky National Houseboat Expo-custom 5900 LS series "Dream Manor". This will let you view a slide show of the "Dream Manor" that was done during that show. These are older pictures but you can see a few shots of the interior as most pictures are taken showing the outside of the boat.

If you wish to read Houseboat magazine on a regular basis subscribe online. Go to www.harrispublising.com and click below the cover picture and follow the steps to subscribe for $29.95 for 12 issues.

EXPO Continued

Mar. 6-7, 2010----National Houseboat Expo.

Saturday was rather busy as more people were in attendance.

Gibson boat with lots of visitors.

Carol comes down the stairs after taking another look at the Gibson.

Hard to tell what Carol is looking at while she talks to John. See the photo on the right for a better view.

John is most well known by his nickname "Little John". He is the person who builds and installs the beautiful stainless steel rails on Gibson boats.

Various shots of other boats on display. There were also a number of booths with vendors showing their products. Everything from insurance, brokers, marinas and generators to toilets, to mention a few.

President of Gibson Boats, William C. Brummett (Bill) is looking up at his wife Mitzi on the stairs. The Gibson plant is located in Portland, TN. Call Bill at 615-325-9320 for a tour. They have a wonderful facility and would be proud to show you their work.

Mitzi Brummett is all smiles as she welcomes folks to go through the 5500 series Gibson Boat.




Houseboat magazine plays an important role in promoting and documenting the show. Caught Steve Sargent with Camera in hand always ready to capture an interesting photo. Steve is Account Executive for Harris Publishing.

Another prominent individual with Harris publishing is Brady Kay, Executive Editor. He has on a blue shirt. Standing tall to the right of the gentleman who is leaning in an effort to see the table, Brady has camera in hand prepared to capture the winner of the Poker Run. A lucky person will go home with a new pontoon boat.

Brady and Steve are mentioned because the McGees had the pleasure of their company on the Dream Manor last Sept 23rd on the Cumberland River at Gallatin Marina.
They took many pictures including the one Carol and Allen are standing by at the boat show. The 4mcgees are looking forward to the April 2010 issue of Houseboat magazine.

A musical group was playing during the boat show. At the end of this video the camera is moved around to show Bill Brummett senior enjoying the music. He was the founder of Gibson Boats.

Carol and Allen left the show Sunday afternoon and drove part way home spending the night just north of Memphis. Arrived in Youngsville, LA about 6 pm the evening of March 8th.
It was a great trip. Thanks especially to the Gibson folks and Houseboat magazine.

NATIONAL HOUSEBOAT EXPO

Mar. 5, 2010---National Houseboat Expo, Louisville, KY.



Of course immediate attention was directed to the Gibson boat! This 55' Classic gained lots of inquiries during the show.




The split galley has a lot of appeal because two people can work at the same time very efficiently. Also provides extra storage areas.



Helm console is more spacious to accomodate electronics.

See through glass sinks have become quite popular.

Yacht-style sliding doors in the cabin are very nice.

A great new feature is dual-pane windows and insulated walls!

Carol checked out the new Gibson from bottom to top.

Tom Austin on the right is Gibson's General Manager.

Look at the sign above. Who's boat is prominently displayed! Watch for it on the cover of April's issue of Houseboat magazine.

LOUISVILLE, KY

Mar. 2 - 5, 2010 --- On the 2nd Carol & Allen drove to Columbus, MS and spent the night on the "Dream Manor". The boat looked a little lonesome when we first arrived. It was great to spend time checking things to make sure there were no winter problems. Everything was just fine except for the cold. Temperature in the mid 30's made a person wish for a warmer climate!

On the 3rd Carol & I made a final inspection and continued on our journey. Not being in a real hurry we spent the night in Goodlettsville, TN. That is a little ways north of Nashville. Crossing the Cumberland River in the car certainly had seemed different looking toward the dowtown area of Nashville where we enjoyed much of last summer living on the boat.

On the 4th we arrived in Louisville, KY and checked in at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Located across from the entrance to the Fair Grounds will make it convenient to walk to the "National Houseboat Expo".

First day of the boat show was the 5th. Doors did not open until 2:00 p.m. so there was time to look around downtown Louisville.

Carol is standing in front of The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. Watching a film on the history of Kentucky was very enjoyable. It was nicely done presenting pioneer days, Statehood and up through the present. Discussed industry, entertainment, beauty of the land and spirit of the people.

Street picutres showing some of the architect of the area.

Parking near the Ohio river gave a view of the water and a contrast of old buildings versus the newer and taller ones in the background.