Mississippi Cruise Part 1

May 19, 2008 Baraboo/Tomah, WI to Bayport, MN and Maple Grove, MN via 1984 F-250 Ford truck

Harold and I made it to Lake St. Croix without any problems. We ended up going to Bayport, MN where there are a number of marinas. We found a good ramp at the Beach House marina. The City of Bayport charges $10 for launching and $10 a night for parking a vehicle. WE started stepping the mast and found out that the port spreader was broken. We found Roehegers welding shop about 3 miles from the marina. They had the spreader welded in about 30 min. It began raining and sleeting so we decided to wait until the next day to launch. We drove over to Maple Grove and spent the night at Harold’s son, Mike’s home.

May 20, 2008 Bayport, MN to Kinnickinnic State Park, WI, 15 miles, Crew Harold G.

We arrived back at the marina at 9:00am. We were greeted by a lot of activity since a large power boat had sank at the dock. We were told that the stern drive boot had a hole in it and let water in the boat. We replaced the spreader and stepped the mast and launched by 1:30 PM. We then found out a pin was missing from a jib sail attachment. A trip to Hooper’s marina in Afton, MN to purchase a new pin resolved that problem.. On the advice of a local we parked the truck and trailer in a vacant area next to the launch ramp. Total charge by the city of Bayport for launch and parking for 5 days was $50. We had favorable winds from the North West so we sailed down the St. Croix and anchored at a bay at Kinnickinnc State Park near Prescott, WI. Had a Bloody Mary, ate grilled pork chops and relaxed watching Canada geese and bald eagles.

May 21, 2008 Kinnickinnic State Park, WI to Bay City, WI (North end of Lake Pepin) 38 miles, Crew Harold G.

We hoisted anchor and started the day at 7:30 AM. No wind so we motored to Prescott, WI. There we had a highway bridge and a railroad bridge to pass under. Just our luck the State DOT was cleaning the highway bridge and had equipment parked on the section that raises. We called them on the radio and they told us they would have the equipment moved in 30 minutes. They did and we got thru and entered the Mississippi. We stopped at a marina and filled our water tank and purchased some ice. Sorry, no big fuel purchase.
The wind picked up and we sailed for the next 2 1/2 hours until we reached our first lock on the river. The river is high and the lock only had to drop us about 3 feet. WE made it to Red Wing by 2:30 and stopped for ice cream! Another hour down river and we were in Lake Pepin. We sailed around the sandbars and headed to the north end of the lake to the Wisconsin community of Bay City. We anchored off the shore near an eagle nest. Harold caught a nice white bass which he released. We closed our day with a dinner of venison brats and beer.

May 22, 2008 Bay City, WI to Lake City, MN, 15 miles, Crew Harold G.

It was a little cool last night, but we have another sunny morning with some wind from the east. Today we did some fishing, without any luck. I also had the crew swab the decks. When we were ready to sail the wind went away. We motored towards Lake City and then sailed for a couple of hours when the wind came back. We got a slip at Lake City Marina. We plan to spend a few days here.

May 23, 2008
Lake City Marina,
We awoke today to high winds from the South East. Doesn’t look like we will sail this morning. Friends of Wayne’s have a boat at this marina. We watched as Kent and Carol’s Catalina 38 (Jet Lag) was launched. We then road with them to their slip and helped them dock in the high winds. All went well. They gave us a ride to the Marina hardware store where I had to purchase some sail slugs. (things that attach the sail to the mast.) We had broken 5 of them do to old age. The winds died down a little in the afternoon so Harold and I did some sailing. When we got back we helped Kent and Carol bend on their sails (attach the sails to the boat) We ordered pizza and ate it and drank a few beers on Jet Lag.

May 24, 2008 Lake City Marina, Lake City, MN to South end of Lake Pepin near Wabasha, MN, 9 miles, Crew Brad G.

Today is when my old crew disembarks and my new crew embarks. Vickie is taking Harold home and leaving Wayne's son, Brad. Harold and Vickie are so kind to offer to pick up the truck and trailer back in Bay Port and take them to Tomah. Looks like the wind has died down again and we will go for an afternoon sail. I need to break in the new crew.

The wind came up again so it was a tough sail into the wind to the South end of Lake Pepin. Needed to motor sail for a while. Anchored for the night near where the river runs out of Lake Pepin. We are out of the wind. Brats and beer for dinner tonight.

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