SEPTEMBER 23, 2006

This has been home since Thursday and will be until our crew member arrives Monday and we leave for the rivers on Tuesday. The marina features a gambling boat, which never leaves the dock. We made a tour on Friday and a small investment. The crowd was as you would expect...people cashing their welfare checks. The marina will be closed next year so as to expand the casino. At $2000 a season for dockage times 1000 docks, it is apparent gambling pays. The other picture is our dock. We are on the last dock, nearly a 8 minute walk. Then it is another 10 minutes to the dockmaster office. We have to plan our trips ashore. Golf cart transportation have been shut down for the season. The weather has been cloudy and rain, but the docks are busy with people getting in the last dock party or getting their boats out for the winter. Feels a little strange to be just starting our boating season. Our Frankfort Looper boats arrived this afternoon and are planning to leave on Tuesday. We will probably see a lot of them for the next couple of weeks. Problem is the river marinas are small and three large boats may make it a little difficult to get dockage. Today's project was to get Direct TV local channels in Chicago. We got it handled and were able to watch some of the Ryder Cup, OSU, and MSU/Notre Dame. Evening didn't go that good, and looks like another normal MSU football season. Picked up a car today...price was right but the service at Enterprise left a lot to be desired. Did a little shopping in Chicago East side...a little "dark". Hope the rain stops Sunday and we can get a little sight seeing in...maybe Michigan City. Got our Garmin handheld GPS activated so we can navigate sea or roads. It is our backup system, but works great when you need GPS for a car. Boat is becoming very comfortable and home. For more information on the marina go to their website www.hammarina@surfnetinc.com