On our first “day off”, we went down to the boat, tore it all apart, inventoried everything, cleaned the storage boxes/areas and put everything back where we wanted it. Claudia stayed inside and did her things (with Gizmo’s help) and I measured, cut and re-installed all towing, docking and anchor lines. The two anchor lines that run from the rear cleats to the wide shore anchors were only 95 feet long. Last week, we had to join two lines together to get anchored. When I went down to where they had the spools of line, I asked “Junior”, the manager of the boat supply department, if I could get some new docking and mooring lines. He pointed with his head and said, “Help yourself”, so that’s exactly what I did…seven new mooring lines and six side-tow lines for the barge and runabout and two 150’ stern anchor lines for the Tracker…no questions asked! I then spent a couple of hours removing the old lines and installing the new ones. The ground tackle will now pass inspection. We left at 5:00 pm.
On our second “day off”, we delivered the pictures of Trip #4 to Cody and picked up some supplies. We then went to Stix, True Value and WalMart for more supplies, both for us and for the boat. Frank, Vivian and Sonora came for dinner. We warned Gizmo to be on his best behavior and to NOT mark his territory on the rug like he did last time. He didn’t!
On our third “day off”, we went down to the boat and checked the work charts to ascertain our work location for the next trip. For Trip #5, we are going to clean part of Wahweap Bay near Lone Rock and portions of Antelope Island, if we have time. Both locations are right across the bay from the marina so it will be a short run in the Tracker. We took the runabout out to scope out the best spots to park the Tracker. While we were out, we met Frank, Vivian and Sonora at the mouth of Ice Cream Canyon. They were tied up to the bank, having a Cinco de Mayo cervesa. We visited for about an hour or so while the dogs went crazy on the beach. Gizmo was totally out of his mind, running and digging holes everywhere. We wanted to test out his life vest so he went swimming several times at our request. He did fine and seemed to really enjoy the cool water. We then came back and installed a wire shelf over the foot of the bed in our cabin, a mirror and “stuff” boxes in the bathroom for the volunteers to put their junk in. We came home at 4:30 pm.
Oh yeah, sleeping arrangements. As you enter the boat from the bow (front), there is a working deck area with anchor storage and a dry box for ground tackle (anchors, line, shovels, etc.). There is a sliding glass door to enter the boat. On the right side is the helm area where you drive the boat. On the left side is an “L”-shaped settee that makes into two beds with storage underneath. A folding dinner table sits in front of it. Behind the helm area and across from the settee is the galley with a double sink, storage, 3-burner propane stove top and countertop. There is also a microwave and small propane oven. I have asked for a small espresso machine to be installed for our next trip. Behind the galley are two small refrigerator/freezers. To the rear of the refrigerator combos are two bathrooms, each with sink, toilet and shower. Behind the settee area are two “Master” staterooms with doors. Both staterooms have a queen-size bed with a 4” foam mattress, not really comfortable, but adequate, and a small closet. The two upper “Master” staterooms are separated by a short stairway leading to two “downstairs” bedrooms with curtain doors, queen beds and closets. There is also a stern working deck and a ladder leading to a huge sun deck. Many guests love to sleep on the top deck during the warmer summer months. That’s about it. Now you know what the boat looks like. The next blog will contain a short quiz.
On our fourth “day off”, we headed for WalMart to return some items and pick up a few more things we need for the boat. We then picked up mail, cleaned up a few computer things, picked up 16 blocks of ice and headed for the boat. All four volunteers are going to “pre-board” tonight. This basically means that they want to come and stay on the boat rather than pay for a motel room. This also basically means that we have to be on the boat as well. So much for a night alone. How’s that saying go? The best laid devious plans…
Anyway, we take off Friday for another five-day stint of work and will return Tuesday afternoon. After another four “days off”, we head uplake about 57 miles to the San Juan River Arm for a seven-day cleanup. That should be an interesting and fun trip.
We are now back from Trip #5, a cleanup of the Lone Rock area and Antelope Island. We went down to the boat on Thursday as all volunteers wanted to pre-board. We had a father-son team (75 and 45 years old and tough as nails) and a psychologist-friend team (50 and 70). On Friday morning, Betsy, the N.P.S. Coordinator, came to the boat and welcomed the volunteers. We then headed across the bay to the Lone Rock area, just west of Wahweap. We snuck into the spot that Claudia and I had scoped out a few days ago and settled in for the duration.
After setting the anchors and setting up camp, we took off and headed down the bay, picking up trash as we went. We found and old aluminum tent frame,
which I cut up with our brand new DeWalt reciprocating saw. It was a godsend! We also found a fish…a BIG stuffed fish pillow.
We got most of the bay done that night and finished the remainder the next morning.
After finishing Wahweap Bay, we moved the boat to Castle Rock, which was a lot closer to Antelope Island, our next destination.
After the move, we hit it hard. Antelope was a plethora of waste…a trash collectors nirvana! The island was covered with all kinds of crap, primarily because it was directly downwind from Wahweap Marina. We found huge amounts of Styrofoam, plastic bottles, cups, aluminum cans, plastic bags, water toys, a buoy, a tire, an extra-large double-huge battery and a portion of a dock.
After two days of collection, the barge was absolutely full and almost overloaded.
We called the N.P.S. to see if we could get it unloaded two days early. Even though it was Sunday, they found a ranger to man a forklift and bring a dumpster down to the boat. He also used the forklift to help us offload the battery, the dock and the buoy. Those were back-poppers!
After the unloading, we returned to the TT for a well-deserved rest. During dinner, the N.P.S. came on the radio with a boater who had run aground. There was a language barrier, as the boater was German, and he didn’t know where he was. The N.P.S. dispatcher determined he came from Wahweap and turned left, down Wahweap Bay. Since no one was available, I volunteered to look for him.
One of the volunteers came with me and we checked Ice Cream Canyon and Lone Rock Canyon with no luck. However, as we headed west toward the bottom of the bay, his radio signal became much stronger. I advised dispatch I thought he was at the far west end of the bay. As I came out of Lone Rock, I met the N.P.S. ranger boat with its blue lights flashing. I told the rangers my thoughts about the boat being at the west end of the bay. As we were talking, the boater spotted the blue lights. We found him at the very bottom of the bay, hard aground on the mud. The rangers took over and we returned to the TT.
Our next day was their “Free Day” and we took the runabout uplake to Rock Creek Canyon and then to Navajo Canyon, where we found a FABULOUS anchorage for our future free trip,
and on to Antelope Canyon and the dam. It was a great day and everyone was really happy with the day. We couldn’t have had better weather. When we got back, we were visited by Mr. & Mrs. Mallard Duck and an unusual (for this area) friend, a male Wood Duck, an exceptionally beautiful bird (and probably tasty too).
Gizmo was whining and running around and wanted to play with his new friends but they wouldn’t have any of it.
Sorry Giz!
The great weather didn’t last. We got a blast of wind and it was a bitch bringing the TT back to pump it, gas it and return it to the dock. Waves were pretty big and, during the return to the marina, the tow line broke and I had to tie a quick bowline in a mooring line and lasso a cleat, on the first try, BTW. It was a little dicey! That summer I spent at a working dude ranch must have helped. Anyway, we got to the dock without further incidents and secured the boat. We offloaded the volunteers, cleaned the boat and headed home for a well-deserved shower and a strawberry margarita. Even Gizmo got a bath. He REALLY needed it! He was beginning to smell like a human!
After a romp, Claudia and I took off for a party. Greg and JoAnn were warming up their free houseboat in preparation for leaving tomorrow. It was a sort of birthday party for two employees, Pondscum and Mary. The booze was flowing. I had some just to be sociable. Then, a Navajo family came on board with Navajo tacos for dinner. I had some just to be sociable. Then came the Chocolate Fudge cake and Butter Pecan ice cream. I had some just to be sociable. I think I will pay for it tonight, even as tired as I am.
On our next “day off”, we need to go back to the boat so I can splice up a new tow line and a mooring line for the barge, put in a new window and clear the fresh water lines that apparently have an air lock and have stopped flowing. Claudia has to do our laundry and the boat laundry and replace the used linens on the boat. After that, we should have a day or two to ourselves. We have scheduled Thursday for a four-wheel-drive trip to some beautiful place whose name escapes me at the moment. We leave again on Sunday for a week-long trip to the San Juan Arm of the lake. You are now all up to date on the travels of Jerry, Claudia and Gizmo.
1 comment:
There has to be an interesting story behind the name "Pondscum". BTW, a bathroom on a boat is called a "head"... in case you need a refresher.
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