Here's HUCK safely in her berth at the Kentucky Dam Marina on Kentucky Lake. He (she) performed remarkably well against the awesome Mississippi currents...well, actually he was going with the current, but that's still a force to constantly struggle with. There was one major breakdown just inside the Little River diversion canal below Cape Girardeau. No more than 5 minutes after clawing full throttle against the current to gain the canal, the prop shaft totally separated from the transmission. No propulsion. I thought it was something much worse, like a blown transmission, until I discovered the flange bolts in the bilge. There are supposed to be 4 bolts, but I discovered only 2, which had worked loose and finally wiggled out altogether. Some local fishermen in the canal kindly offered to visit the nearest hardware supply and get me some replacements. Within an hour, the job was done and HUCK, now with the requisite 4 bolts in place, was better than before.

This failure was amazingly close in time to just getting off the big river. Had it failed while clawing my way into the canal, I would have been sent flying nearly out of control back into the 5mph current of Ol' Miss. All in all, a lucky and well timed breakdown!!

A bow on view of HUCK in her new slip. Sadly, she may have to go on the block soon, so the money (and slip space) can be used for Brion and Jo to set up housekeeping on a larger boat, probably a 38-40' houseboat. I hope I can find just the right new owner who can appreciate and enjoy HUCK as much as we have. She's truly a one-of-a-kind.

This slightly tattered ancient beauty watches over the dock at the head of the ramp connecting the dock to the shore. The marina has a number of such statues, many with cheery flowers at their bases. For a local touch, someone has attached a couple of old outboard motor propellers to the wall behind the statue.

Remarkably, there is no graffitti or other defacement of this aging statue. Had she been standing in a public place in Saint Petersburg, local vandals would have made short work of her. One of the many striking contrasts between rural Kentucky and urban Florida. Off today to Alton to pick up my van and return for another brief visit to the marina before driving back to St. Pete. Regards. Captain Brion