From: "Capt Jon & Ruby" <papillon31@earthlink.net>

Subject: Papillon update

Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 09:21:37 -0500

N 26ƒ 41.33

W 08 1ƒ47.79

A check of the coordinates finds us tied along side the Gretchen, a 37' Irwin, the home of Mike and Lynn in the Orange River. We are in Hansen's Marina which by Mike's accounts has quite a history. It was once owned by Ford, Edison, and the other guy. They originally used it as a boat yard to build gambling boats, paddle wheelers, and later converted it to building Liberty ships during WWII. He said the mangrove island, off our bow is actually a graveyard of old liberty ships and paddle wheelers. Most of the structures are still standing some dating back to the civil war. The owner does not tear them down because environmental laws preclude being able to build new structures in their place.

Going back a bit when Ralph found terra firma in Apalatch I grimaced when Annie mentioned things happen in 3's. My thoughts were "why did you have to say that". But as we continued on everything seemed to be proceeding on track. Annie was getting the feel of the boat and learning to follow the charts as we meandered down the waterway. In fact I had become so confident that I proceeded to go about some of the chores needed to keep Papillon in ship shape. Then it happened. I felt that dreaded thud and knew immediately what had happened. We we aground, for the third time, 3's. Now each of us had our own grounding and the cycle was complete. It seems that the channel took a 70 degree turn to the left and Annie went straight ahead into 3' of water. A call to Tow Boat US and they were there in about 10 minutes and we were off.

My thoughts on this are that the Corps of Engineers in cahoots with NOAA put this dog leg in the channel so as to give Tow Boat US some much needed business. Why else would TBUS keep a tow boat just minutes away from this point. When I called on the radio and told him we were in Lemon Bay his comments were " missed the turn I bet". He also reassured Annie that it happens almost every day.

Annie will depart from here to head back to Mobile and once again be reunited with her kat, Dover. I am sure he misses her and will not take kindly to me keeping her away from him for so long. She has been a big help and good company for this part of the journey. Hopefully we will meet up later for further adventures.

I will soon depart for Labelle and points East which includes crossing Lake Okeechobee and eventually finding, I hope the Indian River where I will begin my trek north to the land of the "Beautiful Swimmers", Steamed Crabs by the tons. I am looking forward to that day.

Hagd

Capt Jon, Annie & Ruby