Prop Crop

I was up around 7am surprisingly to an empty family room and kitchen. I started a pot of coffee then was soon joined by David. I guess Anita out on her power walk but that wasn't the case. She was taking the day off. This time the sky was partly sunny, but thankfully it was a little cooler too, only about 70 degrees. After a cup of coffee and some friendly banter I was out the door for my run.

I ran to the SE all the way to River Rd. which is round trip is about 3.2 miles or 5K. Felt good and ran it well. Worked up one heck of a sweat. A large predatory bird swooped down maybe 15-20' in front of my run which caused me to take pause and follow it to its landing perch, which was only 50' beyond my path. I'm pretty sure it was nothing more than a vulture, though it's father coloring was more tan and brown as compared to those in Ohio. It's ugly red head was the giveaway. At first I thought it might've been an eagle.

Enjoyed scrambled eggs for breakfast. Mindy slept much later than usual, not getting up until after 9am. It was a gorgeous morning, nothing but blue skies overhead. David and I were soon in our swimsuits and headed out to ride the jet skis in search of eagles. Given that it was mid week and still well before noon, there were just a few scattered fishing boats on the lake. Felt we had it all to ourselves.

We tore it up, crisscrossing the lake and taking in many of the large coves in search of eagles. Never did find any. I'll be we put 15-20 miles on the jet skis and most of that going near top speed, which is 50+ mph. We were out for more than an hour, I am sure. Our last trek took us to Colonel's Creek, over near where the Retreat resides. However, instead of making that turn we kept going. And for most of the trip I let David lead, me lagging just behind. Only a few times did I let him get no more than a few hundred yards in front of me. And one would think with that close proximity that it would be nearly impossible to get separated, but we did. Near what I thought was the back of the Colonel's Creek cove I took a more leisurely turn than did David. No more than five second later he was nowhere to be found. I scanned the lake, both far and near, and even listened for the tell-tale sounds of a revving jet ski. Nothing!

The gauges on the jet skis are somewhat blurred from age so checking the fuel level was a challenge, but my best estimate was something less than a 1/4 tank. Add to it that I wasn't super sure where we were or exactly how to get back after so many twists and turns. Moreover, I didn't have any money, credit cards, or ID on board. I guess I let that spook me enough to attempt heading back by my lonesome. Before setting out I scanned the horizon for familiar landmarks, this being our 45th trip to Wateree. I was 75% confident that I had a bead on the way home. More than once, and probably at least three times, I turned around briefly to look for David but still, he was nowhere in sight.

Hugging near the shore I spotted a house that left me certain that I was on the right track home. I felt a lot better save for my missing jet ski partner. But with low fuel, my main concern was getting back to the lake house. For all I knew, David was already back. I made it back no problem, but it became clear as I approached the dock that David wasn't back ahead of me. I explained to Anita & Mindy, who were floating in the water, that David and I got separated. Anita figured we'd go look for him with the boat if he didn't show up soon.

I headed inside to pee and get some water. Upon my return to the dock, Mindy & Anita were untying the pontoon, apparently in preparation to go look for David. Just about the same time Mindy thought she heard the unmistakable sound of a revving jet ski motor off in the distance. Yep, sure enough, here came David. We joked that he would light into me for bailing, but he didn't. Instead, he said he went around the corner from where I did my slow turnaround and stopped at a friend's dock to chat. I guess the cover went further back than I thought - another turn or two. Said he began to worry that I might've gotten lost. Too funny.

A short while later both kids were up and outside and in the lake, just as they had the past couple of days. We collaborated on the day's agenda, ultimately agreeing to take the jet skis and boat for refueling and then lunch at the Dockside grill - the best burgers on the lake. On the trip out, David rode one jet ski while Mindy & Jacob tag teamed on the other. Bella and I rode in the pontoon with Anita at the helm. Of course they were long gone and far in front of us shortly after setting out from the dock. Just before exiting the cove and hitting the open waters of the lake, we struck something with the underside of the pontoon - bu-bump! Anita instantly felt that she'd struck a submerged stump. To my ears it sounded more like it bump the pontoon rather than the engine and prop.

Slowly but surely we putzed our way across the lake to the Dockside grill proceeding at a snail's pace. David had the jet skis all but filled by the time we pulled up. Opted to top off the pontoon too, and I agreed to take care of all the fuel. Heck, we'd rode the snot out of those machines. Since I was covering the fuel, David insisted on getting lunch. At the time it was sunny and hot, but there was one large dark cloud just overhead. Looked like it might storm anytime.

Inside, I paid for the gas while Mindy and Anita ordered up our food. I'm pretty sure that all of us opted for their famous burger. I headed back to the boat to wait with David and Scarlett. The girls and Jacob were another ten minutes getting the food. And shortly after we had our food on board it started to rain, but lucky for us the rain was brief - no more than five minutes. After that one burst the sun returned. Unlike the steaks, the burgers didn't disappoint. They were incredibly good. For the trip back to the lake house, I took a jet ski while Mindy & Jacob took the other. Bella, for some reason, wasn't having anything to do with jet skiing, at least not right then. She opted for the pontoon with David and Anita.

Had a blast on the ride home. Rather than a straight beeline, I opted to make the ride a bit more interesting by making lots of curvy turns much like I might navigate a ski slope. And from the looks of it, any apprehension or fear that Mindy & Jacob might've had with the jet skis was a thing of the past. They were going balls to the wall.

Once David caught up with us in the cove he shared that his prop was damaged. Instead of docking it, he beached it into the sand at his properties edge and raised the motor. Yep, sure enough, there was a nickel sized notch taken out of the prop. It was a little bent too. In true David fashion, he wasted little time calling the local boat shop, which is a mere two miles from his home. We pulled the old prop first so we could get the exact size. Yep, had one in stock. We wasted little time heading over to get it. I told David it would be a good deal if it was $80-85. Of course I was thinking of a refurbed mercury prop.

David and the fella behind the counter, whom I presume was also the owner, are on a first name basis. I later learned that he's the one who sold David the new Honda outboard 90 HP engine for his pontoon 3 years ago. He was asking $130 for a brand new Honda prop, but offered a 10% military discount. Said he could send the old prop out for repair but it would be $85 for the repair plus shipping. Hardly worth it considering the boat would have to sit idle for however long. David balked at that, and I don't blame him. Still, it would be a good idea to have a spare prop on hand just in case something similar happens again. You spend that much time on the water and it will.

Back at the house in no time flat and quickly busy installing the new prop. While in the lake up to our knees I got a call on my cell from an unidentified number. Often when that's the case I don't answer but we've been anxiously awaiting the National Kidney Foundation's call to schedule a pick-up. I thought it might be them. I left the back of the boat and stepped on dry land to take the call. It wasn't the NKF. Instead, it was Zach, Courtney's boyfriend. He was asking to borrow money to put their dog down and/or have it cremated. I patiently listened to the what he had to say but wasn't feeling generous to the cause. I ended the call by sharing that I was sorry to hear about their dog but that we were away from home and on vacation.

We finished the boat prop installation and David allowed me to take it for a spin to check the performance. Smooth as silk. Drove out to the mouth of the cove and back. Still experienced steering issues where the simple task of turning the wheel takes the might of a gorilla. After increasing/decreasing the speed it subsides and returns to near normal. It occurred to me while on the test drive that David mentioned not having power steering, and then I remembered how the outboard motor steering works, on a shaft of sorts. It hit me that more than likely the problem was a lack of grease. Once docked we checked out the steering shaft. Sure enough, a grease fitting right behind the motor. David intimated that he'd pull the boat out and take it in for a lube very soon. Said he believes he may have skipped the last 50 hour maintenance check.

By the time that was done and the tools put away, it was late afternoon or early evening. Around 5pm Bella and I took the kayaks out. Went on a nice little row out near the mouth of the cove and back. On the row back in I recalled Glenn sharing the rowing technique he learned in Oregon, which if you ask me is at least somewhat counter intuitive. Instead of pulling with the oar end that's in the water you push out with the arm and end that's out of the water. I gave it a whirl. Hmm? Seemed to offer less resistance. I'll try it more back home, I figured.

We called it a day near 530pm. After a full day in the sun, some adult beverages, and vigorous exercise, Mindy and I headed to our room for a much needed nap. Thinking we napped until almost 7pm. After a couple showers we emerged to dinner ready and waiting. In fact, David, Anita and the kids had already eaten. David grilled up perhaps the best pork ribs I've ever had. They were more like steak than pork. Absolutely delicious! Made yellow saffron rice too.

Soon my thoughts turned to Thursday morning and our drive back home to Columbus. Bitter sweet, really. On one hand it's always nice to be heading home after some time away, but on the other hand, I wasn't quite ready for our vacation to end, and even more so, return to work. Of course the good news was that I'd have three days at home before returning to work on Monday. We watched TV until 930pm or so. And like I did most nights, I headed out on the deck to star gaze and listen to the lake sounds before bed. This time the skies were completely clear. I made a beeline for the front lawn to get a better view of the many, many stars out in full force. Sadly, my presence tripped their security spot lights which all but canceled out the darkest night sky. The kids and Mindy joined me. Mindy, Bella and I love star gazing. Jacob, not so much. He was more interesting in lighting off smoke bombs. :) We spent about 10 minutes out front and then headed in for bed.