LAST REPORT FROM PITTSBURGH

For the 2006 Boating Season

For only the second time since the Thumper has been going to Light-Up Night in Pittsburgh , the river level did not cooperate. The Allegheny River was up and running 2 weeks before, and Jan and Vince were worried about the outing, so they were waiting to decorate the Katie H.  But Kathy and I pressed on decorating the Thumper.  It takes a weekend to do and the event only lasts 3 ½ hours, including the trip to and from the Point, but Kathy likes doing this as it get her in the “Christmas Spirit” and the grandkids like it too.  I worked on Jan and Vince about the water going down, so he and Jan decorated the Katie H finishing just as a new rain storm hit the area.  We were to leave Friday evening around 6:30 and the river was to crest around 7:00 the same night.  I thought the Thumper would do OK, but when I got reports that the walls around the Point were underwater and there would be no place to tie up, the trip was off. 

The Winnie Mae, the Lauren Elizabeth and the Donna Rae were all decorated and ready to go to Light-Up Night also, but the high water kept them home too.

Kathy decided to have a party at the landing anyway, in spite of the ride being cancelled, to show off her decorations.  I even built a fire to keep busy and warm.  After some discussion, we decided to go on to the Point and, if nothing else, ride around until fireworks.  This made the granddaughters happy!  “Boat ride, boat ride” was all we heard.  The generator started for a change and all the Christmas lights were turned on.  Then we tried to start the main engine.  This proved to be this year’s problem.  All the “mechanics” seemed to agree that the problem was the starter, battery or wiring. Vince called it a blessing in disguise.  He wasn’t going even if the Thumper had started.  After some analyzing, I called it quits and had a beer.  The grandkids finally slowed the chant, “boat ride, boat ride” and agreed on roasting marshmallows by the fire instead.

Maybe next year we will forgo the decorating and just have another party.

Jack Bedeck