I'm having some trouble posting pics with the black berry but I'll atleast take a shot at it.
Here goes.....
Nope, not gonna work !
yes, I'm pissed right now....
So I'll just tell you all 'bout the trip. I rode in the rain the first day, stayed warm and dry in the enclosure. I hit Lake City Mn. (Lake Pepin) at about 6:30 pm. To late to buy gas so I chucked the anchor about 100 ft of shore of the marina and prepared for the night. Got gas the next day and continued. Pepin was a little bit rough but do-able. Wind picked up but I pushed on and made it to Dresback. The lockmaster told me about a channel further down stream for some protection, a big storm was coming in. I fortunately was able to tie to a boathouse to get some protection, glad I didn't have the kids with me on this one. The next day looked a lot better, I had breakfast at the Pettibone marina in La Crosse Wi. and showered. No wind at all now, pushed on for Lansing Ia. Got there early, I was pretty excited that I made it. Stopped in at the Local bar and had a couple of coctails, picked up some supplies and after about three hrs. started for home. A beautiful day, stopped for the night just outside of Stoddard Wi. the lockmaster at lock 7 said they had 64 mph. gusts the storm night
. I continued on and once again stopped at the Pettibone marina for breakfast. Wind started to pick up, now it was coming from the north. As they opened the gates at lock 4 I wondered what the heck I was doing, the water was way choppy, had a barge on the left waiting for me so he could lock through, dam off to the right, honda don't fail me now! It was really rough on the water and lots of wind. I had a hard time keeping the prop in the water, motor tilted all the way down, waves crashing against the bow so hard that it broke the latch on the front gate, I was amazed at the abuse the enclosure was able to endure from the waves crashing against it. I was hoping to get to Lake City but had to stop at Wabasha instead, it was just way to rough out there. I tied up to the local marina, showered and visited with some travelers before turning in. I expected things to be better the next day but as soon as I hit big water the waves were there waiting. I got to Lake Pepin and it was horrible! it's about 25 miles across and I could only travel at about 3-4 mph. Happy to finally get through and found some protection from some narrower channels. Finally stopped for the night just below the Red Wing dam. The winds died down and I got a good night sleep. Stopped again for B-fast in Prescott Wi. Made it to Watergate marina at about 2pm. I don't know exactly how many miles I covered but I'm guessing it was about 400. I burned about a gallon and a half of gas per hour and average about 7.5 miles an hour. It was a trip I'll soon not forget but next time I'll do it on a house boat.
