MOVING

Oct. 13, 2011---It may look cloudy, but it was a bright day for us! Maryann left yesterday to attend a conference in Nashville. Keith & I moved the boat to the fuel dock and pumped out the holding tank. Said our goodbyes to the folks on the dock and maneuvered the Dream Manor out of the Green Turtle Bay Marina. It was great to hear those diesel engines puurrrrrrr. Traveled a short mile up the Cumberland River and crossed over to the Tennessee River. The canal joining the two rivers is 1.5 miles long. There was about a .5 mph reduction in speed indicating the water was flowing from the Tennessee into the Cumberland. It was a treat just to be traveling in the boat as it had been a year since we parked her last October. This felt like a maiden voyage and being in no hurry, speed was held at 8 mph. Wind stirred the water into waves, but with wind behind us the ride was smooth. It was a pleasant (3 hour) 20 mile ride to Kenlake Marina. After getting acquainted with dock personnel they called for a park employee to haul us to the nearby restaurant for a late lunch. Plan to move on to Paris Landing Marina tomorrow.



Entrance to Kenlake Marina is well protected by a rock wall.







Dream Manor sure seemed a lot happier with today's attention.






Marina was quite peaceful.

GTB-Oct

Oct. 10, 2011---Dream Manor sits patiently waiting in Green Turtle Bay Marina. If she could speak it would be to ask, why am I still tied up here? Maryann has a convention to attend in Nashville starting Thursday. During her absence Keith & I are going to start traveling up the Tennesse River. It may be an experience as it has been nearly a year since we operated the boat!


Here are a few pictures to show how low the water is now compared to April. Remember the ramp on the left was
downhill to the parking area. The floating dock was wedged up against the bottom of the Yacht Club restaurant.





Water had flooded the ship store on the right and got into the Boat Works office in the background.

Boat Works shop was flooded several feet deep.

The travel lift was under water during the flood and all the boats on stands in the yard floated and had to be tied to the docks.

RETURN

Oct. 9, 2011---The 4 mcgees did not really get to enjoy a "boating season" yet this year. We lived on Dream Manor during April as spring flooding created raging rivers carrying lots of debris. Green Turtle Bay Marina flooded (as did many others).It was obvious high water would be a problem through much of the summer. Therefore we chose to travel on land this year. Keith and Maryann lounged on the beaches in California and entertained their Grandson Max. Perhaps it was Maryann who spent time on the beach! They also made a couple of trips thru Montana and Wyoming to see relatives while driving to and from California. (Max lives in Gillette, Wyoming). Sounds like a lot of driving, but Keith loves to drive and Maryann has certainly grown accustomed to long trips. Allen and Carol traveled from Louisiana to Wyoming three times visiting family and friends. On one occasion the 4 mcgees were in Gillette, Wyoming at the same time. A few thousand miles of driving gives a person plenty of opportunities to see our great nation. Last trip to Gillette in September, Carol and Allen attented his 50th year high school reunion. No idea how it is possible so many years have passed. That's half a century! Oh well, it was a terrific gathering and certainly fun to renew old friendships. That was a really brief summary of this years activities.

Switching to current events----Keith and Maryann left California on September 26th arriving at the boat October 5th. It was just another 3000 miles across country to Grand Rivers, Kentucky including stops in Montana and Wyoming. Allen flew from Lafayette, Louisiana to Nashville, Tennessee October 8th and was picked up by Keith and Maryann. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive from there to Green Turtle Bay. It is great to be back on the boat. Carol is missing out as she chose to stay home. She did not want to be gone during Halloween as passing out candy to the neighborhood children is a special event.

Having been here a few days ahead of me, Keith and Maryann had already washed the boat. I just spent today being lazy (relaxing I meant). We are enjoying some wonderful fall weather and fully intend to exercise the "Dream Manor". The rivers look smooth and we are getting anxious to test the waters.

WET

July 2, 2011---Anxious moments at at the home of Allen & Carol in Youngsville, LA. Heavy rain nearly ruined the holiday weekend! Rained 4 inches in 35 minutes. The drainage system is not adequate to handle the water. Ditches all fill up and a lake is created in the neighborhood.




Picture on the right is looking toward the drainage ditch across the road. Neither the ditch or road can be seen looking west along the south wall of the McGee home.

Allen and Carol's daughter is observing the situation wih lots of concern. Smiling is not easy.

Waded down the street and took a picture looking back toward the house located across the street from where we live.

Picture of our home in the background.

Look at the debris line on the flower pot and foundation to see how close the water level came to getting on top the slab.

CLOD

June 30, 2011---It has come to my attention that the 4 mcgees (as well as other boaters) are referred to as CLODs. This term is being applied to those who are not on the water. The term stands for "Cruisers Living On Dirt". It well applies to us, as we have spent a lot of time in the State of Wyoming where we were born and raised.



Keith and Allen are pictured with their Mother "Beth". She resides in Gillette, WY which has been her home for the past 86 years.









The large base instrument appears to have little feet. Actually it is Max behind has new passion. He is learning to play this fine instrument. It is a new inspiration for his Grandparents Keith & Maryann.










Keith & Max enjoying a dip in the pool. This is the closest Keith has been to a body of water in quite some time.

CAPTAIN CLEAN

June 2, 2011---Look at this freshly shaven kid. New style for Captain Clean!

MEMORIAL WEEKEND

May 28-30, 2011----Green Turtle Bay is enjoying clear skies with temperature of 90 degrees. Boaters are beginning to move about enjoying the Holiday weekend.

Dream Manor is dwarfed by a neighboring houseboat.




Sailboats can be seen traveling about with a light breeze. Water level in Lake Barkley is down enough now to expose the sandy beach. Many local boaters and visiters enjoy time in the sun on this beach.



Retaining wall that was well hidden during flood stages can clearly be seen in the background past the end of the boat slips..