Got back to Iuka, MS yesterday afternoon about 1300 hrs CDT. Off loaded the stuff from the car and checked out the boat. To my surprise the starboard drive was not registering any transmission fluid! What’s up with this? All other fluids check-out okay. Hmmm. I guess we’re not traveling Monday after all. I impatiently waited for the service crew to come in this morning but talked to the service manager telling him of my discovery. Shortly thereafter Greg, the mechanic, comes to the boat and we begin the check down of the fluids. He retrieves more tranny fluid and fills the drive and recommends we take it out for a ride to see if any water is mixing into the drive gear train. The Admiral and I do so, come back and check fluids but no sign of water infiltration. Hmmm. However, I notice I’m about 30 gallons less on fuel than when I left the boat. Hmmm. Maybe some serious joy, er, test riding? Well, I don’t know the cause, but since filling the transmission the fluid level has remained steady. I knew I needed to top off before we moved along. So, here we are, another day in Iuka, MS. As it appears right now we’ll be heading out in the AM. We need to make Decatur, AL, about 80 miles east and get past the railroad bridge that is under repair after 1700 hr CDT.


These last 250 miles are proving to be a challenge! Storms are coming in Wednesday and Thursday so we need to make as much distance as we can. My guess? Decatur tomorrow and either Scottsboro, AL or home port the next day. Hammer down!!