October 11, 2010

Lake Monroe, Bloomington, IN

We took the boat down to Bloomington, Indiana for a short 4 day cruise on Lake Monroe.  We had planned this trip several weeks ago, not knowing what the weather might be.  It couldn't have been better.  All four days were in the mid 80's and dropped down to the mid 50's at night.


Because of the extremely dry weather we've had, the trees didn't have a lot of color.  They seemed "muted."



Along the way, we saw some wild turkeys, eagles, a beaver, and deer.



Friday, we found our friends Rich and Jill on their sailboat at Fourwinds Marina.  We had dinner with them, and stayed in a slip at the marina.  Thanks Richman.  Saturday, we took them for a cruise north of the bridge--an area sailors never get to see.  An enjoyable day.  Later, we dropped Rich and Jill back at the marina, and Pam and I anchored in Moore's Creek.  (really)

Sunday, we found Wayne and Priscilla who are from North Vernon and Punta Gorda trying to sail their Ensign on a dead calm day.  We suggested they take the Ensign back to the sailing club, and join us for a cruise north of the bridge--an area sailors never get to see.  Had a great time catching up with them, and after we dropped them off back at the sailing club, we went to "catfish cove."  (a small cove named many years ago by my pal, Dawg).  
We dropped the hook, and cooked chops on the grill.  I had been watching a pontoon boat that was anchored near the entrance of the cove.  They were acting as if they were having engine trouble.  Looking over the back of the back of the boat, raising the engine hood etc.  Just about dusk, I thought they should be leaving.  There were three people on the boat.  I figured it was a kid, his dad, and the grandfather, who did all the talking.  

When I was a young pup, my dad had an old boat with a Chrysler outboard.  If you've ever had a Chrysler outboard, you probably know how much Good Samaritans are needed out on the water.  We were towed back to the launching ramp more than once.  I suppose that has a lot to do with my thinking that we all have an obligation to assist anyone in need on the water.  A lesson learned.

So I shouted over to the pontoon boat to ask if he was having trouble.  "Yes" he says.  "Can't get the motor started."  (I could see it wasn't a Chrysler)  I asked if he had called for help.  "My daughter is calling someone, but I don't know if anyone's coming."  I asked where he had come from.  "Launched at the dam."  I asked if he wanted me to tow him back to the dam.  I should have suspected trouble when he asked "How much would you charge me?"  However, I told him I wouldn't charge him anything.

So, it's now dark.  I pulled up my anchor, and motored over to throw him a line.  I told him to tie it off on a cleat.  He said "What's a cleat?  One of them pointy things like you got on your boat?"  I asked if it would be OK if I stepped on his boat and secured the tow line.  About this time, another boat comes up and asked which one of us needed help.  He had gotten a call to come over and tow someone in.  The guy on the pontoon boat said "Don't need no help now."  I said this is the guy your daughter called to tow you in.  He says " Yes, but he'll charge me an arm and a leg to tow me in.  You said you'd do it for free.  Let's get going.'"

So I took him to the launching ramp at the dam.  In the dark.  Navigated by the stars back to Catfish Cove and dropped the hook again.  A lesson learned.