OK, back to the store today.  However I have to admit that I've instigated this trip.  After all, I have to replace my favorite lure if I have any hope of going out in the boat.  Actually, I've been thinking about it and I think I could go in the boat on my own.  I'll have to check on that.

So off to Fleet Farm again.  I bought an assortment of lures and related trolling tackle.  Then to the liquor store to replenish the ice chest.  And of course back to Sun Mart, the grocery store we've recently become part owners.

Back at camp, the refrigerator challenge begins.  A few curse words but I manage to pack it all in.  We sure hope Nicki doesn't bring a carload of goods.  She's been instructed not to but that may or may not make a difference.

I've been thinking more about the boat.  The seats in the rear sit sideways next to the edges of the boat.  I talk with Mike, one of the owners about my situation.  He thinks it might work so we go out to the dock to try it. 

The boats sit on racks that actually lift them out of the water so that they don't get beaten by the docks when the wind is blowing.  This is nice because it actually holds the boat steady while you get in.  I board and sit in the driving position.  Mike cranks down the lift to see how the boat will sit in the water.  It immediately lists to my side.  It stays afloat but the rear corner where I'm sitting is only an inch or two above the water, hardly safe.

We put the boat back on the lift and I ask if there is a board we could put between the seats so I could sit in the middle.  I add that if it works, I'd probably like to rent it for the week.  Mike tells me to give him an hour and he'd see what he could do.

An hour later I return and there is a board sitting between the two seats.  Also, there's two 5 gallon jugs of water placed strategically near the front of the boat for ballast.  We try again and this time the boat sits level in the water.  Yaaay!  I'm going out in the boat tomorrow.  And Mike has assured me that the boat is insured if the worst were to happen.

Nicki arrived with half a carload of goods.  She wants to go with me in the boat tomorrow.  I hope she knows what she's getting into as I have never piloted a boat before.  I hope she knows how to swim.  In any event, it should be an interesting weekend.

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Please send me an email at  drew@mykitchentable.net.