Boaters Dream

Our northern Illinois liquid landscape has been frozen about 3 months now and its about this time of year that boaters start dreaming of the spring thaw. While spring just can't get here fast enough, Lisa and I often slip away to a sun drenched fantasy where you can hear the sounds of flip flops slapping the dock, sail mast hardware pinging in the breeze, and the slightest scent of coconut oil floating on air. One of our favorite escapes, Legacy Harbor Marina in Ft Myers, Florida is more than a dream, it's a destination that we will be visiting later this spring. Legacy is special because some of our boating friends have made the dream a reality. This will be the second year that the Tourist made her way from Midtown Marina in East Dubuque to the Gulf and then onto Legacy Harbor Marina on the Caloosahatchee River in Ft Myers. This marina is beautiful with all the amenities that a boater could ask for and their staff is something to be envied. Well that's enough chatter from me. Please enjoy the photos and hopefully if you close your eyes, you'll be able to take a little vacation without leaving your chair. Remember smell the coconut oil.

Aqua Villa Crew

Ice Golf

Yesterday was the annual ice golf tournament at Mid Town Marina in East Dubuque, IL. Not that we knew this was going on when we went to check the dock boxes and survey the condition of the boats in outside storage. As we neared the marina the first thing that stuck out were the cars. Cars everywhere, hundreds of cars. A bit strange given the marina is closed up tighter than a clam in the Mississippi mud in February during the winter season. After making our way through the parked car maze we pulled up to H dock which was the location of a very tough up hill par 3 hole. To play ice golf you need one iron (your choice), a tennis ball(s), a team sled/cart, warm close and alcohol. Lots and of lots of alcohol. After snapping a few pictures of this winter spectacle we headed for the marina bar/clubhouse for a beverage. Pulling up to the bar we found ourselves looking an other couple from H dock, Bobbi and Kyle Volkens. A couple of hours later and numerous cocktails we headed for home. They sure had an excellent day for there golf outing and it was great fun to catch up with friends from the dock.

BE MINE

Nothing says I love you like taking your bride to the shooting range. Last fall Lisa got her hands on a brand spankin new XD 45 from Springfield Armory firearms. Let me be the first to tell you, she does pretty darn well when it come to making holes. Right now your all thinking I didn't think this through, am I right. Well it never hurts to have back up. After a couple more trips to the range she will be knocking the ten ring all the time. Any body can send flowers and give chocolate.




Aqua Villa Security

Winter Repairs

When the Aqua Villa was hauled out last winter we new there were repairs in her future. Last summer the port transmission started to creep when ever the engine was running. Rather than end up in a situation where the transmission would not disengage or not shift we thought it best to have Dr. Jerry (owner) at Island City Harbor Marina, Sabula, Ia. take a look at her. With the exception of needing about 20,000 lbs of pull to separate the transmission from engine everything is going quite well. The repairs will include replacing both the forward and reverse clutch packs and assorted springs and retainer clips. The clutch packs are located in the smooth band area of the shaft looking gizmos and are about six inches in diameter. Jerry was very pleased with condition of the internal parts surfaces as they looked like new for the most part. No metal filings, burnt bearing surfaces. or pitting to be found, all great news. The other issue was a water intrusion problem at the rear of the swim platform where the rub rail is attached. With the rub rail removed it was easy to see what the problem was, holes from a previous repair attempt and a general drying out of the rail sealant to which it is embedded. After a good cleaning, a bit of sanding, a dab of 5200, and a new polyurethane selant job we should be as good as new. It will end up being a three step project to get it back together, but the job will be done right. No fiberglass repair was needed letting us get everything finished before ice out this spring.

Aqua Villa Staff

Snow Day

Yesterday I went for a bit of a drive looking for photo subjects during the blizzard to give myself a break from my latest woodworking project. When I get to the exciting part of that project where the wood does more than just lay there I'll post some action shots. Not much traffic yesterday, until you stop to take a picture that is. The roads were drifting a bit but not terrible, nothing to complain about unless your Lisa and we all know how she like snow banks, driving in the snow, and winter in general. This post offers up some local winter scenes I hope you'll like. I have to say that when I stopped to take the picture of that solitary old oak I couldn't help but wonder what this territory looked like when that tree was only five feet tall. As big as that tree is it must have been in the 1500's sometime. Wild times in the neighborhood back then I suppose. Please double click on any of the photos to enlarge for better viewing.

Aqua Villa Bilge Rat (aka Moose)

That Niffty Fifty

Lisa, my sidekick of 25 years has turned 50. But you wouldn't know it to follow her around for a day. I think everyday she gets faster and I get slower. The party was a great time with friends and family from all around. Pam a close friend of ours came back from sunny Florida where they spend winter on their yacht the Tourist. It was a trick to get her home without the sneaky one finding out about it.

Aqua Villa Staff

A Mix

A strange mix of photos that sum everything up. The snow just keeps coming, Then the birds get fed, and last it time for a nice sipper in front of the fireplace.

Moose