Captain's Blog: September 7th, 2013

This weekend we did something we haven't done in a while, Deb and I were out on the Merrimack alone, all day! We left out of the Nashua ramp about 12:00. A later start for us than normal, but we decided to make today an easy day. We packed light, and left our table and cooler behind. Whatever we needed for the day, we would just keep in the cooler built into the boat, and instead of cooking, we would have sandwiches.



Position of the day!



One of the few interuptions of the day.

We were thinking about it, and this season we have had more guests than any other season.  Although we love having guests on the boat with is, it was really nice being alone with Deb for the day.  We went to our beach and setup the hammock and a couple of chairs.  We weren't there long, when we decided to take a nice slow drift towards Lowell.  It was a very quiet day, not many boats out there (which made it even nicer).  In fact even when we went back tho the beach to hang out, but ended up lounging on the boat.  The fact is we have gotten so use to setting up, that we did it on instinct today, rather than need.  The fact is that we didn't need to set anything up.  We were perfectly content to stay on the boat.  In the future we need to think about doing this alot more.

 

Downtown Nashua to Hudson Bridge

So as the seaon winds down, we hope to get a few more trips in.  Until then when we "See you on the River!'.

Captain's Blog: August 24, 2013

This season has been packed with good days!  This past weekend was no exception,  but the best part of this past weekend wasn't the weather, it was our son Robert visiting from New Jersey.  Rob had requested a trip on the boat, and Saturday was the day.  So with our son Robert and our grandaughter Yasmin, we headed to the Merrimack River.  We got out on the water about 11: 00.  I had Rob take the helm immediately and head to our little beach.
Once we were setup, Yasmin was in the water!  Yasmin loves her Uncle Robert, and misses him something terrible, so it was so nice seeing them together.  It made her day, week and month!

Robert even bought her a new fishing pole (Yasmin said to make sure everyone knew it wasn't a kids pole, but a big people pole!).  She had a blast, and like her great grandpa, a natural.  On her first cast she sent her lure about 25 feet!  She also knocked them dead.  3 small mouth bass, 1 large mouth, a pickerel and several pumkin fish.  Nothing like being shown up by your 5 year old grandaughter.  She does lover fishing!

Sometime during the day, Rob and I headed for a cruise into Lowell.  Rob at the helm of coarse, we made a quick trip going down, but took a nice slow ride back to camp.  It was an absolute blast seeing Rob pilot the boat.  I know he had fun just by looking at the smile on his face.  Nothing like a little speed to make a young man smile!  We just made sandwiches for lunch, and Yasmin had to be coaxed out of the water to eat.

 So happy not to be working.

 Rob enjoying a little down time from the Jersey life!

Drawing a picture for her Uncle Robert.

Yasmin, determined to keep Rob close, decided to tie him up so he couldn't leave!

Future captain of Third Generation, of coarse it will have to be named 4th Generation on that day

So it was just a great day, building memories for Yasmin and Robert.  We loved having them together on our little beach on the Merrimack.  We can't wait to do it again soon.  Maybe an overnighter next time?  So until then, we'll "See You on the River!".

Jazzy, fishing with her uncle.

Yasmin pretending to be a butterfly in a cocoon.

Captain's Blog - August 17 & 18, 2013

Well it's another nice weekend.  On Saturday Deb and I decided to get out on the boat before the season starts to wind down.  It was a nice sunny day, and we haven't had allot of time on the boat alone this season, so it was especially nice.  The river was a bout a foot higher than last weened when my dad and Frankie joined us for the day.

   There were a couple of projects that I wanted to get done at camp like;  hanging a tire swing and cleaning the beach area of trash and branches.  Not much to report about on Saturday.  It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day with my beautiful wife.  It was so nice that we dicided to make another day of it on Sunday, and this time we would bring our grandaughter Yasmin.

 Sunday came and we were off again, and with grandaughter in tow!  We got out on the river early and cooked up some bacon, eggs, toast and of coarse COFFEE!  Yasmin decided to have a bowl of cereal and yes, BACON!  The girl loves bacon.  After breakfast there was no holding her back, she wanted to go in the water, and pretty much stayed there the day.  She loved the tire swing, but was a little nervous about being over the water.

   

We had a very full day.  We did a bit of fishing (but didn't catch anything).  Deb and Yasmin decided to swim out to our landmark "Y" tree branch.  This was the very first time anyone has gone out to the branch.  So congrats Deb and Jazzy for a camp first!  We had an extraordinary day, and were so happy to share this with Yasmin.  Jazzy's favorite part of the day, driving the boat!  Future captain of Third Generation?

We can't wait to have our other grandchildren experience Third Generation as well.  So until the next time when we "See You on the River"!

Captain's Blog - August 10, 2013

It was an incredible morning to go on the boat!   My dad (The previous captain of this vessel), was up from New York city for a visit and a cruise on the Merrimack.  We are always happy to see my dad, and even happier when we can take him out for the day on Third Generation.  We loaded the boat and hit the water around 11:00.  It was a bit breezy, but sunny and mild.  The river was very low, and in fact as we were getting ready to launch, another boater was just pulling out, saying that he had hit a rock and lost a prop.  So with that bit of information, we headed downstream cautiously.  There is an advantage to boating on this river for a few years, you know where most of the hazards are!  We made it to our beach without incodent.

After a quick setup, it was time to kick back, open a beer and enjoy the day.  My dad's dog and longtime companion "Frankie", seemed to really enjoy our little beach and liked exploring.  Maybe it brought back memories of our families time on Lake Otsego in Cooperstown, NY.

 

After a beer (or two)  we were in the mood for a cruise.  It was time for dad to take the helm, and for me to be a passenger.  I don't get to enjoy that role nearly enough.  We took a nice easy cruise down into Lowell.  Not allot of boat traffic. even in Lowell.  I really like the new stern bench seat.  It took me a while to get it all the way I wanted, but I think I'm finally there!

It was great seeing my dad pilot the boat.  I'm sure he misses it as much as I love having it!
After an long cruise of an hour or more, we dicided to head back to camp to cook some food on the grill, and enjoy a few more beers.  Since the water was so low, I decided to take a walk along the beach edge to see how far I could get.  Along the way, I spotted an old truck frame in the woods on the bank.  It looked to be an old model T that had been converted to run a machine of some type.  It had obviously broken down, because the side was riddled with bullet holes.  You just never know what your going to find!

It was a fantastic day, and we all enjoyed relaxing at camp, but the day was wearing on, and we were all getting ready to go back home.  We would love to have dad out for at least one more journey before the season ends.  So until the next time when we "See You on the River"!

Captain's Blog - August 3rd 2013

So after missing last weekend due to health issues, we are finally getting back on the Merrimack River. As you will see from the pictures below, I have made a few more improvements. The biggest change is to the stern seat. I was lucky enough to have another boat owner friend see me at the gas station a few weeks back, and offered up a bunch of teak boards that he no longer needed. Thank you Mike, for your very generous gift! I have been wanting to modify the stern seat backrest for quite some time (not being happy with my original design). Now that I had the teak to do it, take a look and let me know what you think!

The second change was adding two rails in the stern of the boat atop the gunnel. This adds a little bit of height to keep small children safe, gives the stern passengers an arm rest, and I think it just looks good!

So all in all this year has been a productive season. The complete list is as follows:

1- Replace stern seat backrest
2- Add gunnel rails in stern
3- Replace bimany top and seat cushion straps
4- Repaint interior hull
5- Skin bow deck in aluminum
6- Sand and refinish all teak
7- Add Blue LED Floor Lights
8- Re-wire console
9- Disassemble/Repair/Re-assemble passenger captain's seat

So with the boat all waxed and the teak all oiled, we were ready for a cruise!  Our neighbors April and Juan asked if they could join us for a cruise, and  help celebrate Deb's birthday.  We are always happy to share our river experience with friends, and gladly agreed. 
Deb and I got on the river about 10:00 and headed to the beach to set up for the day.  The river was on the low side, but still high enough to launch from Nashua.  We setup camp for the day.  This process is getting easier and faster each time.  We have a few things stored on the beach which makes the process that much more enjoyable.  We picked up Juan and April along with there youngest son Zion, about 12:30.

We lounged around on the beach, and Juan and Zion did some swimming.  Once everyone was hungry, I grilled up some burgers and had a nice salad as well.  Then we headed out for a nice long cruise into Lowell.  Juan did most of the piloting, and even Zion had a chance at the helm.  Not much interesting to report.  The river was relatively quiet.
When we returned to the beach, we did setup a rope swing at Zion's request.  Juan and Zion were the guinea pigs, and I'm  happy to say no one got hurt.  And they both seemed to really enjoy the swing.  All in all it was a great day celebrating Deb's birthday.  I just want to say Happy Birthday to the love of my life, and the second best first mate this boat has ever had (yes, I was the best!).

Our next criuse will hopefully be next weekend, when my dad (the original boat captain) comes to visit, and inspects the latest improvements on his boat.  So until the next time, when we "See you on the river!".

Captain's Blog - July 14th 2013

We had received a call from Tim (Deb's dad).  It was Vicki's (Tim's wife) birthday, and Tim wanted to know if we would take them out for a cruise.  We had planned the trip for Saturday, but weather was a little sketchy, so we decided to wait until Sunday.  It ended up being the right move, because Sunday morning we had a perfect blue sky.  Deb and I loaded up and headed to our beach on the Merrimack River.

This weekend was a work on the beach site kind of weekend.  Two years ago our beach was wiped out by a massive flood.  We lost our furniture, our pylons, and our steps took a big hit as well.  Last year we were in no physical shape to go boating, so this year it was time to fix it all up again.  The repairs took a chunk of the morning, but it all was completed.  I even added a rope hand rail along the steps.  This would make it easier and safer for all.  Now, nothing else to do but relax and wait for Tim and Vicky to call for a pickup.

Tim gave us a call around 1:00 or so.  I shot up to the Nashua ramp and boarded my passengers.  Since it was Vicki's birthday, I decided to let her take the helm , and travel down river the our beach.  Vicky was a great pilot, and it gave me a chance to use Deb's seating area (which I never get to use!).   We arrived at the beach and just kicked back until lunch.  Grilled up some Terriaki Chicken & burgers.  Also had a nice garden salad and fruit.  A very nice lunch.

After a while we dicided to take a cruise into Lowell.  Tim and Vicky had never gone that far down river, so it would be a nice cruise.  I tried to get Tim to take the wheel for a while, but he and Vicky just wanted to kick back and enjoy the sites.  I know just how you feel Tim.  I almost never get to just be a passenger.  Maybe it's time to let my first mate (Deb) take the helm once in a while.  Although I think I may need some luck getting her to do that, she likes her seating area too much to give it up to even the captain!

It was a nice cruise into Lowell, and Tim and Vicky could see why we like the New Hampshire end of the river so much.  The Jet skiers were like hornets on water.  Buzzing this way and that way, creating excessive waves and noise.  Get me back to the peace and quiet of  New Hampshire!  The day had worn on by the time we did get back to our beach, and Tim and Vicky were ready to go home.  I dropped them off at the ramp and headed back to our beach to clean and pack up to head back home.

We also had a chance to catch up with our neighbor and fellow river rat, Artie.  Good to see you on the river!  Next time stop at the beach and have a beer!  So until the next time, "See you on the River!".

Captain's Blog: July 5th thru 7th 2013

So back to the Merrimack for the Fourth of July weekend.  We decided to start our weekend on Friday morning.  Once the boat was stocked with food and ice, we headed into Chelmsford and the ramp.  It was about 10:00 a.m. when we finally launched Third Generation, and we headed north to our favorite little beach in New Hampshire.  The water was running high once again, and very fast.  Needless to say there were numerous hazards, like floating trees lying just below the surface ( As seen in the background of the picture below with me and my new hammock! ). Thanks again to Tim and Vicki for the gift.  As you can see it fits me and my Guiness just right!

When we arrived at our beach, the water level was over the bank, which makes unloading the boat much easier.  Next, setup camp!  We starting with installing our new bathroom.  OK, so it's still a little primative.  I'm designing some removable walls, so keep lookingf for the new improved version.  No matter what, it's better than squatting over poison ivy ladies!   Next the kitchen and finally the bedroom (complete with full size mattress).  Once that was all done, then the real work begins, RELAXING!

We stayed on the beach most of the day, due to heat and just plain laziness.  When the sun started going down we went for a sunset cruise.  It was a beautiful night, and the river was very quiet.  I even got a chance to use my new Blue LED floor lights.  Although I couldn't get a great shot with my camera, I'll try again next time. Of coarse as soon as I thought I had the coolest boat on the river, that night we watched a pontoon boat go by with, yes you guessed it, BLUE LED Lights!

The next morning (Saturday) we found the river had dropped about a foot or so.  Still running fast but lower.  I was really glad I had anticipated that when I toed the boat for the night.  It could have been real interesting trying to get the boat back in the water!  We also made arrangements to have freah ice delivered in the morning.  Thanks April and Juan! So after I started coffee, I headed up to the Nashua ramp to meet April with fresh ice. When I got back to camp I cooked a nice breakfast. Bacon, Eggs, and Toast. Yes, I cheated with the diet, but it's camping on the river!

Another really realxing day on the beach.  We made a run into Lowell/Chelmsford to check on the car.  When we passed the Lowell ramp, we saw several emergency vehicles.  We weren't sure what happened, but later found out that a woman had fallen into the river and was swepted over the damn.  So a note to anyone who finds themselves near or on the river, BE SAFE! Listen to the warnings, it could save your life.  That night it was time for another sunset cruise.  This time conditions were perfect.  The below picture is my favorite of the night.

Sunday morning Deb's cold was kicking in so we decided to pack up and head back home.  This was a great weekend, and will deffinately be staying on the river again.  So until the next time, "See You on the River".