Princess cruise

Today was like a princess cruise – the princess stood the helm for most of the day! Kelly is now somewhat of a riverboat queen. She drove, while I tended to a few chores that I needed to complete.

Today was a FLAWLESS cruise! 

We got out onto the water a little later than I had hoped. And, she wanted to stop a little sooner than I had planned. Nevertheless, we made it to nearly Cape Girardeau (we are close enough to pickup their radio and TV stations.) Watching Thomas Crown Affair.

We stopped at about the 66.5 mile-marker, at the Moccasin Springs Marina (more of just a protected boat ramp area – hidden behind a rock levy.) This spot wasn’t on ANY of the cruising guides (but it should be!)

It has a decent deep-water approach from downstream, and the rock levy offers GREAT protection from passing tugs/tows.

An unknown artists has set-up his stool on the boat ramp, and is painting a picture of us and our boat, too! (It is a pretty site…)

We apparently made the news last night as well?! Some guy committed suicide or accidentally fell into the Mississippi River just a few yards upstream from Hoppies Marina yesterday (around noon?) By the time we arrived, the place was swarming with rescue boats from every agency imaginable, as well as the media crews. My mom said that she saw our boat on the news (parked at Hoppies.)

There were fewer tugs/tows on the river than I expected today. But, it’s Sunday, after all. So, maybe the traffic will increase tomorrow? We didn’t see ANY fellow cruisers (heading down or up stream.) The tugs/tows call us “RVs.” (Which is their term for “Recreational Vessel.”) Everyone else calls us a “PC” – “pleasure craft.”

It is indeed quite a pleasure at the moment… As the sun was setting, we bar-b-qued steaks, and Kelly made a dish of seasoned roasted potatoes. Strawberries and blueberries for dessert. (Oh, and a few mixed drinks for myself, and a glass of wine for her.)

It was very peaceful sitting out on the back deck, in the big comfy easy chair, watching the tugs slide past, as I cooked our diner on the grill.

Kelly is settling into the cruising lifestyle as well. When I stood my watch at the helm, she went down below to catch a 2-hour nap (while underway.)

We also BOTH took our first showers aboard. Granted, this isn’t any earth-shattering news. But, you have to remember, this is a 30+ year-old boat (which hasn’t been used in a long while.) So, we kinda have to cross our fingers and hope for the best at times. To my pleasant surprise, the shower was warm, functional, and comfortable!!!! 

We are watching swallows, swifts and bats feast on swarms of bugs at the moment. The bugs appear too large to be mosquitoes (thankfully.) But, I fear what carcasses will await me in the morning up on the flybridge…

Cheers to all. Thanks for your prayers and calls. We pop in & out of cell coverage, so bear with us.

Nick, aboard the princess cruise line.