I will remind you that Clay’s and my favorite wall hanging
is “Don’t worry if Plan A doesn’t work out! There are 25 more letters in the
alphabet.” The first of many Plan B’s was about to emerge as we departed the
T-head of H dock at Alton Marina this Sunday morning bound for their gas dock.
Clay had sought confirmation that harbor water depth would accommodate SaSea’s
draft of 4.5’ and felt comfortable fueling and pumping out at this location.
A simple toilet flush of the aft head toilet which created
only a repetitive swirling motion—and nothing more—alerted captain and crew
that we had a major problem, complicated by the fact that we had two days of
anchoring soon ahead with no land access. Routine measures (mainly a mini
plunger followed by a marina-supplied honker plunger) failed to produce the
desired effects—flushing; it did produce an undesirable effect which I won’t go
into but to say I quickly changed my clothes! And thus, hi ho hi ho back to the
T-head of H dock we go. Vain were our efforts to contact a marine plumber on a
Sunday, so we spent an unplanned day in port reading, awaiting an unpredictably
predicted brief pop-up shower, with Clay at the computer plotting (what he was
plotting is beyond me!) Dinner was a repeat Tony’s with different
entrees—whatever made us return but for the fact that we knew where it was and
the distance was doable. Guess it wasn’t that bad after all.
Thank goodness for Port Charles’ allegiance to repeat
customers! We had scheduled and completed extensive routine maintenance (at
least Clay’s excuse was “routine”) on the SaSea this Spring 2018 at Port
Charles. Having dropped mucho bucks in the process, I’m supremely pleased that
Paul Jr arrived Monday mid-morning to take a toilet look-see. Four-plus hours
later and another biggie invoice had our aft head toilet flushing nicely. Ah,
the simple pleasures of life! Did you know that a toilet hose over the years
(at least on a boat) forms urine crystals which clog the hose much like plaque
clogs an artery in the human body, rendering the hose non-functioning? Yep, now
we know for fact! Hey Alton Harbormaster Greg, we have proof! Please note the
above paragraph sounds like the process played out like clockwork, but not so.
Read on…
Clay had alerted the first mate (me) on Sunday evening that
we were to prepare for an early 7:30 a.m. Monday departure…forget the toilet
issue. Thus, with my even-earlier-than-normal arise and shine to stretch and
walk, I was midway through the routine when Clay suddenly announced that we
would await the toilet fix before departure. Once Paul Jr was ensconced in the
engine room which provided access to said toilet parts, I decided my best place
was G-O-N-E. Or in synonym, A-B-S-E-N-T! The only shopping opportunity (don’t
we women always seek solace in either the companionship of friends OR
shopping?), with downtown Alton stores closed on Mondays, was Dollar General, a
short two-mile walk but again in intense heat and humidity. Off I went while
Clay assisted Paul Jr in the quest to fix said toilet. I returned to a
situation resolved, toting a four-pack of Mr. Clean erasers and a four-pack of
sticky notes, imaginative.
Too late in the day to depart for Kimmswick, Clay and I
wiled away the rest of the daylight hours cycling a load or two of laundry
(already Clay was requesting clean clothes?), reading, lounging by the pool and
peppering unsuspecting boaters with Looper stories. It takes little
encouragement for Clay to spout forth with entertaining recounts of our
adventures. I’m even guilty of such, especially when our new acquaintances act
interested as Marlene did. Afloat in a floatie innertube, newly retired and
soaking up the sun, Marlene made for a delightful companion—and we found she
had bought her boat at Two Rivers Marina and was a lifelong friend to LAMO
resident Jeanine Kelly. Small world!
Desiring a peek at the world outside the salon and galley of
SaSea Sally where we had spent far too many hours over the past few days, I
made the executive decision to go out for dinner, letting Clay choose the where
and when. Having perused a number of menus online (Clay loves that pastime),
Clay chose Bossanova but tired before he got there on foot. Pausing wearily at
the entrance to a restaurant, he noticed a number of diners entering the Bluff
City Grill, an encouraging sign with a crowd present. A spacious interior of
grays and cream with plenty of light and little clutter, we quickly decided on
this Plan B. (A Google Maps check tells me the Bossanova would have added
eighteen minutes round trip to our already weary bodies—Clay’s obviously
wearier than mine; I can always eek out a few more miles!) Tres bon choice for
meals and distance!
With a planned departure from Alton tomorrow morning
(Tuesday, the 17th), I will close and bid you a good night!
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