Saturday, July 28, 2012

Chapter 13 Floyd really likes my photos . . .



Chapter 13


Floyd really likes my photos . . .




One of our excursions from Perry's Boat Harbor . . .
heading north on the Mokelumne River.


Floyd really likes my photos,

And insists that I keep on sharing them

 With our readers . . .

Not only those from of our adventure on the Delta,

But from My previous photos

“From a land/water-point-of-view . . .

Of the Delta Waterways and friends




 An old photo of our "Home Port"
Perry's Boat Harbor

A photo of Joe, the Harbormaster, of Perry's
will be shared soon.


Joe, the owner of B & W Marina.
made sure that Floyd was launched safely.  



Kevin is the "Go to Guy" . . . that I mentioned in a previous chapter. He is a partner of Vieira's Resort.




I don't know his name, but he helped me to get back on course after I took a wrong turn on Potato Slough.




Ken Lange, the owner of International Marine.
Ken & his staff built Floyd.












Heading north on Little Potato Slough, Tower Park Marina in view



Going under Terminous Swing Bridge after passing Tower Park Marina. changing course to the west on the South Mokelumne River back to Perry's.

Til’ we chat again, 

Floyd & Joe 

Post Script:  Just a gentle reminder . . . 
Please do not download my photos or chapters without permission

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Chapter 12 Down Time




Chapter 12


 Down Time





Today is Wednesday, July 25, 2012.

“Post Script from Chapter 9:  I contacted Oscar of International Marine regarding my electrical problem on July 19th   regarding  the console box that controlled my lights and battery status.  Today, July 20th; Oscar (Ken’s right hand guy)  told  me know that a new console box was being priority mailed to me and is due to arrive on Monday July 23rd.  The problem became apparent when I was checking the Battery charge status and running lights in preparation for a sunset ride . . . 
Upon further inspection, I discovered that all the fuses were corroded, that the connectors were rusted, and that the evidence of water seepage had occurred prior to my purchase of Floyd.  After replacing the fuses, only the deck lights were operational.  Oscar told me that he was sending me a new control box, as it was obvious that this problem, unfortunately was not detected during the preparation of Floyd being refitted for our adventure.
This information is being shared, because not only these events are significant to Floyd & I, but also to let all potential new-owners of WWPotter 15 & 19 know that Ken & his Staff guarantee their workmanship.”

By mid-day today, Floyd’s electrical issues have been resolved and we are ready to resume our adventure.  We are truly thankful to Ken and his lead guy, Oscar, for sending us the replacement parts without any hesitation.

Floyd and I used this downtime by stopping by the local hair cutting business (The Hair Loom) in Isleton, where I always got a trim while in the delta, to find out how to donate my hair for wigs for cancer survivors. 
This is probably a good point to back up several months . . . to bring everyone up as to why I stopped by “The Hair Loom”.

Many of you know by now that the main event that lead up to “Motor-Row-Sail 4 the Cure” was the death of my daughter’s mom on Valentine’s Day of this year.  Sabrina’s mom participated in many traditional and non-traditional treatments including Chemo treatment. While Sabrina’s mom had many remissions and at times felt better . . . she lost her hair and purchased a wig.  Every lady knows, and all caring guys should empathize, that self-esteem can be diminished when one is not looking their best. 

Sabrina informed me the previous year, some time around mid May of 2011 that her mom had cancer. She was scared for her mom and tearful of the reality that her mom may not be a part of her life.  Sabrina had aspirations of getting married and having children and wanted to know that her mom and dad would be around to share Grandma  & Grandpa “stuff” with her.

While there are many avenues and paths that families and friends travel . . . when a loved one is challenged with a life-threatening event . . .                                                                         
Those events do not take precedence over “the everyday-here-and-now-stuff”.

My first priority was (and is) to do whatever Sabrina needed me to do.  This was a personal challenge on my part not to do what I felt that should be done to assist Sabrina or her Mom.

Floyd & I will speak more of this parody of conflicting priorities later . . .

However, this chapter is about a daughter’s need . . . not mine.  Sabrina shared with me how traumatic it was for her to shave her mom’s head and to help her mom to find a suitable wig.  I do not know which upset me the most . . . 
that the mother of our daughter was dying or that my daughter had to shave her mom’s head.

Sabrina grew up with a dad who always had long hair, as did her mom.  However, my hair was never at a length that was considered eligible for donation.  However, upon hearing that Sabrina shaved her mom’s head, I made a personal commitment to let my hair grow until it reached a length when I could donate my locks to someone who desired a wig after losing their own hair as a result of treatment for cancer.

As of today, I was told that my hair needed to grow a bit longer.  Soon my hair will be of the required length to be worthy of donation to a special person who wants to look good for her or his loved one and family . . . and to look in the mirror and feel good about themselves.

Tomorrow, Floyd & I will be resuming our adventure on the Delta . . .

"The Story of Joe & Floyd" really began.  .  . 

The day that my daughter told me that

 she was fearful that her mom had 

cancer . . .

You are all welcomed to follow our adventure . . .

 Or, Begin your own adventure!

Til’ we chat again,

Floyd & Joe

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Chapter 11 More photos From a land-point-of-view . . .



Chapter 11

A few more of my photos, From a Land-Point-of-View . . .

Of the Delta Waterways and

 surrounding communities















Post Script: The Photo above is my most favorite of all.



Post Script: Please do not download any of my photos or blog chapters without my permission.


Til’ we chat again, 

Floyd & Joe 

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Chapter 10 Photos from a "Land Point-of-View" . . .




Chapter 10

Floyd requested that I share some of my photos,

From a "Land Point-of-View" . . . with “you all”

My Photos of the Delta

inspired me to travel the Waterways

 Of the Delta with Floyd





























Til’ we chat again, Floyd & Joe

Post Script: Please do not download my Photos or my Blog Chapters without my permission.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Chapter 9 Floyd says Do not rush our adventure


Chapter 9


Floyd says Do not rush our adventure



Today is now Friday, July 20, 2012, and Floyd & I have been on the Delta for 16 days.

Floyd is not one to say much,
                                                                                        
 but I am continually surprised on how much he listens . . .  
                                    
 when the opportunity presents itself, she is very capable of keeping me focused.

 Floyd has heard my conversations that I have been a live-aboard on old wooden boats back in Connecticut since 1978 and on the Sacramento Delta since 2005; therefore, she was able to calculate that I rarely left my berth . . . until she came into my life . . . even though it was a passion of mine to explore the Delta Waterways since 2005.

During these past 16 days, I have seen and traveled more of the Delta than I have in the 7 years that I have been a boat owner.  Please know that it was not that I did not have an opportunity to do so . . 
but rather that I was fearful of venturing out on my own.

Meeting Floyd came at the right moment in my life.  She truly understood the need to accomplish one’s passion before we become infirmed or leave this world. 

As you all know by now, Pinky/Floyd was built by Ken, of International Marine,
 to promote awareness        
2 find a cure 4 breast cancer, via “Sail 4 the Cure”.  
                 
But Floyd also had his own passion . .
 . 
As she dearly wants 2 Motor-Row-Sail 4 the Cure with me.

 Excerpted from Chapter 8

“If I had not met Floyd, I most likely would have never fulfilled my passion to motor-row-sail the 700 miles of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Waterway . . .
Floyd, has an uncommon nature that invites the sharing of personal experiences that elevates them to a heighten level of commonness.
Floyd will play an important role in assisting me through my personal self-doubts related to the trials & pleasures of embarking on a 700 mile adventure and my faith in our lord will guide me through my related  trials & pleasures  to stay connected on a spiritual level, with my loved ones who I have shared the sorrow of loss.”


My self-doubts, which are common to many folks, have now been washed away . . . permitting me to venture outside of my comfort zone.  This is the message that Floyd wants to share with all our readers . . . who in their own way never left their berth to fulfill their own passion before it was too late . . . including making sure that we stay connected with our  friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

 On Monday, July 16, 2012, Floyd shared another thought with me, one that makes
          so much sense . . . that it should be “common” sense to all.  That is, to not rush our adventure along the Delta Waterways.  She told me that our fulfilling our passion could not be measured by miles traveled, but rather the experiences we come to know in our journey along the Delta’s waterways.

Floyd also corrected my thought process regarding the word “Shakedown” that I often referred to, that being defined as getting ready to start a journey.  Floyd aptly reminded me that my true “shakedown” for our adventure began on the first day that we met and lasted only until I wrote out the check to purchase her.  From that moment, our adventure had begun.

Therefore, beginning today, Floyd & I will no longer be counting the days since our adventure began . . . as it really started late afternoon on April 7, 2012.  Nor will we be counting the days after today’s date.  However, what we will share  . . . are the many cherished wonders that we have both experienced.

Today, Floyd and I decided that we would spend our time between now and September to exploring the Mokelumne River and its Sloughs east of the Sacramento River and north of the San Joaquin River before we move to the other quadrants of the Delta.  This will undoubtedly require several more visits back to the Delta to complete our adventure, but it will be worth it.




Tom (left), Harbormaster Korth's Marina his friend Jerry (right)


This morning, Floyd & I ventured south on the Mokelumne River to visit our friend Tom Tate, the Harbormaster of Korth’s Pirate Lair Marina.  Between now and August 3rd, Floyd & I will be making daily excursions south on the Mokelumne River and east on the San Joaquin River visiting the marinas along our route to Owl Harbor Marina.  On August 3rd, we will be rendezvousing at Owl Harbor to meet the sailors who are participating in the 2012 Delta Doo Dah weekend sail.  It is our hope to meet fellow sailors’ and to get some sailing tips and make some new friends along the way.


The Story of Joe & Floyd  began on  .  .  .


April 7th 2012


You are all welcomed to follow ours . . .


 Or,

 Begin your own adventure, which we will follow!



Post Script:  I contacted Oscar of International Marine regarding my electrical problem on July 19th regarding the console box that controlled my lights and battery status.  Today, July 20th; Oscar (Ken’s right hand guy)  told  me know that a new console box was being priority mailed to me and is due to arrive on Monday July 23rd.  The problem became apparent when I was checking the Battery charge status and running lights in preparation for a sunset ride . . . 

Upon further inspection, I discovered that all the fuses were corroded, that the connectors were rusted, and that the evidence of water seepage had occurred prior to my purchase of Floyd.  After replacing the fuses, only the deck lights were operational.  Oscar told me that he was sending me a new control box, as it was obvious that this problem, unfortunately was not detected during the preparation of Floyd being refitted for our adventure.

This information is being shared, because not only these events are significant to Floyd & I, but also to let all potential new-owners of WWPotter 15 & 19 know that Ken & his Staff guarantee their workmanship.



Til’ we chat again,


Floyd & Joe

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Chapter 8 Ten Days on the Delta



Chapter 8


Ten Days on the Delta 





The Quest  2 Find a Cure 4 Cancer, has started well before Floyd & I Came on board  to do our part . . . 
2 Motor-Row-Sail 4 the Cure.

The first chapter of the Story of Joe & Floyd began on April 7, 2012 . . . the day when I first met Floyd.

Today is now Saturday, July 14, 2012, and Floyd & I have been on the Delta for 10 days.

It is important to note, that neither Floyd nor I is special . . . based upon celebrity status or of wealth . . . 
We are special only because we are common . . .

We are your next-door neighbor or the friend across town.  Floyd is the woman who made you feel comfortable when you shared a loss of a loved one.  She told your friends of your need and they all baked pies and made food for you. 
 
I was the guy who mowed your lawn, brought your trashcans to the street on garbage day, and asked your neighbor to bring your mail to your door.

Floyd & I are special only because we are common . . . just like the neighbor kid who makes gift packages for our young men serving our military . . .  or the mom who unites with other moms who fight for laws to get drunk drivers off the road . . .

We are “All” Special . . .  because we have in common . . . a single purpose of caring . . . not just for the kid down the street, while his parents are working, or for the elderly couple next door who needs help to change a light bulb.

We are Common, because we put others before our own needs, and we are common because our own needs, more often than not, is more often postponed and for some never fulfilled.   That common need is to find comfort and to make sense of losing a loved one.

Floyd has taught me that both can be accomplished, if we take time to love and forgive ourselves just as we love and forgive those we love that are infirmed beyond current medical cures. 

The donation of money to medical research institutions will undoubtedly extend the lives of folks that follow our lifetime.  However, the immediate vacuum to be filled is to find a cure to unleash our spiritual power to share the blessings of our everyday life with everyone, but Floyd reminds me that we must first cherish the spiritual power of life within ourselves. 

Excerpted from Chapter 1

“I also shared with Floyd that it was a passion of mine to sail the 700 miles of the Sacramento River Delta waterway. As Ken returned from his business call, Floyd and I included him into our conversation. Long story short, we all embraced the pursuit of an adventure to Sail “Floyd” through the 700 miles of navigable waterway in the Sacramento Delta.  Floyd and I have now bonded. Floyd since birth was not fitted for this adventure.  Ken and I, with the assistance of many references to previous Potter Owner’s modifications . . . re-fitted her so that we could make this adventure possible.  Most stories have a beginning, middle, and end . . . The Story of Joe & Floyd is no different.  Floyd and I met on 4/7/2012, shared our history and found common grounds, and decided to ‘Sail 4 the Cure”.”

If I had not met Floyd, I most likely would have never fulfilled my passion to motor-row-sail the 700 miles of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Waterway . . . nor would I most likely have found a way to connect, on a spiritual level, with my loved ones to share our sorrow of loss.  Floyd, has an uncommon nature that invites the sharing of personal experiences that elevates them to a heighten level of commonness.

Floyd will play an important role in assisting me through my personal self-doubts related to the trials & pleasures of embarking on a 700 mile adventure and my faith in our lord will guide me through my related  trials & pleasures  to stay connected on a spiritual level, with my loved ones to celebrate life as well as the shared sorrow of loss.

Post Script:  I contacted Ken of International Marine regarding my fuel line problem on July 9th and on July 10th; Oscar (Ken’s right hand guy) contacted me to let me know that a new fuel line was being priority mailed to me.  Thursday, July 12th, the new line was received and installed. Floyd & I did a shakedown run that day and on Friday the 13th on the Georgiana Slough.  The problem is now resolved and this layover gave me an opportunity to lighten up the storage of unnecessary equipment on Floyd.  We also had an opportunity to practice our rowing around Perry’s Island.
Just prior to posting this Blog update, I purchased and installed a secondary anchor/rode for Floyd, which would permit me to drop anchor from the cockpit.  This modification was devised from at least two Potter Owners who have shared their know-how and innovations to other Potter Owners.

Til’ we chat again, Floyd & Joe

The Story of Joe & Floyd is just beginning   .  .  .

Monday, July 9, 2012

Chapter 7 Where we have traveled so far . . .



Chapter 7

A closer look of where Floyd & I have traveled so far . . .




(This is only a summary . . . more details will come in the following chapters)

Wednesday morning, the 4th of July, Floyd and I made our first shakedown trip. We tried out our custom oars by rowing around the Island that Perry’s is located and tested our depth gauge that had a keel/offset warning alert. 

Thursday morning, we made our second shakedown.  Our loop that that morning began motoring north on the Mokelumne River where we made a left turn on the Georgiana Slough. 
After about 4 hours, the Georgiana Slough merged with the Sacramento River just south of Walnut Grove. We continued north on the Sacramento River just past Walnut Grove and made a right turn on the Cross-Delta Channel Intake.  This channel is a flood control lock/gate system that controls the water flow down river. 

With one hand on the tiller and the other on our navigational chart, we made our way to Snodgrass Slough and went south til we came to the North Fork Mokelumne River.  We stayed to the right and headed south to begin the return portion of our loop.
The return loop took less time, as at least 2 off the three boating conditions were in our favor -  that being the current and tide.  The third condition, the wind was picking up as it normally does in the late afternoon in the Delta.  This increased the size of the waves, which by now had white caps and brought a welcomed cool spray of water over Floyd’s bow. 
By the time we arrived back at Perry’s Boat Harbor, it was low tide and we had to raise the keel to enter the marina.  No problem . . . as we had planned for this with our added features. 


Friday, July 06, 2012, was dedicated to solving our fuel line leak problem.  Turned out that the o-ring on the connector fitting was badly worn.  This was replaced with a new connector.  By midday, Floyd and I started out to make a ride back up the Georgiana Slough, but our ride was called short as the current and tide was not favorable.  Chanting like old sailors . . . “we will leave tomorrow on the out-going tide”.
However, in our case it will be on the in-coming tide, as we will be going up river.

Saturday, July 7, 2012, we completed the remainder of the South Fork Mokelumne River.  Heading east for about 6-7 miles by water, the South Fork Mokelumne River changed from an easterly direction to the north.  We went past Sycamore Slough continuing north til we came to Hog Slough.  At that point, we came about and started our return trip back to Perry’s.

Sunday, July 8, 2012, was dedicated to obtaining a spare fuel connector and to visit Marinas on the western side of the Sacramento River to ensure that we had berthing before we started the second quadrant of our adventure.  While visiting marinas, we met Kevin Chavier, “The go to Guy” for Vieira’s Resort Marina.  This Marina is south of Isleton located on the Sacramento River.  My meeting him was a blessing, as once Floyd and I completed the waterways east of the Sacramento River we were in need of a new homeport to complete the northwestern quadrant of west of the Sacramento River.  Kevin was very accommodating, he even offered Floyd & I the use of his private dock should all the other docks became reserved by the time we arrived.
After returning to Perry’s, I told Floyd about Kevin.  Floyd knew in her heart that Kevin was truly a nice person and was eager to meet him.

Monday, July 9, 2012, Floyd & I set out on a new route that would take us south on the North Mokelumne River towards the San Joaquin River. Once we came to the San Joaquin River we headed south east until we came to Potato Slough and then turned left and motored for several miles til’ we came to Little Potato Slough and turned left again. . . keeping Bouldin Island to our immediate left.  We continued past White’s Slough which as to our right.  Shortly after, while heading north on Little Potato Slough, I mistakenly anticipated that should bear right  . . . and we found ourselves off course at Devil’s Island.  This apparently was a private Island getaway.  Thank goodness for kind folks, once I realized that I was taking us in the wrong direction we came about and returned towards Devil’s Island.  The property/boat owners returned my hail for directions and pointed us back north on Little Potato Slough.  But the best hoot of all was that the gentleman who pointed me to the right direction followed me to make sure that Floyd and I made our was to Tower Park Marina where we would then meet the South Fork of the Mokelumne River and then turn west back to Perry’s.


Another great day. .  .

Til’ we chat again, Floyd & Joe


The Story of Joe & Floyd is just beginning   .  .  .

Friday, July 6, 2012

Chapter 6 A Few Photos



Chapter 6

A Few Photos taken by Joe



A Map of the Delta



My Home Port
Perry's Boat Harbor
Isleton, CA


"Island Girl" & "Floyd"


"Island Girl" & "Floyd"


Ben & Dave
Ox Bow Marina


Just made it thru the Cross-Delta Channel Intake
north of Walnut Grove


Another view from the Bow


The return trip of one of many Draw Bridges



Perry's Boat Harbor in
sight at the end of our first trip

Til’ we chat again, 

Floyd & Joe

Post Script:  Please do not download photos or chapters without permission