Update from Denny

[Howard Sprague]

That's great to hear that you had such a fantastic day, Denny!

We were out at the river Monday to see Le Champlain and Tim S. Dool "with the new Algoma bow logos!" and we were also out on Thursday and had a great day. The highlight was getting the Herbert C. Jackson upbound at Marine City in great lighting conditions.

That will be our last river trip for a week or so, though, as we are leaving bright and early in the morning to drive down to Florida with Mother. She is looking for a winter condo down there because at 84 she just can't handle the snow anymore and with my bad back I can't shovel the snow out of her driveway like I did when I was younger. Her sister Nora has lived down there in a development outside Fort Lauderdale since Uncle Ollie died in 2014 and Mother found a few places for sale to look at. Hopefully we can stop at the ports on the east coast of Florida when we get down there. You take care my friend, and I'm thrilled to hear that Autumn Thunder is off to a great start!

[Denny]

Hey everyone another update for you from me and my trips out to the St. Clair River. This week was an awesome week as this is how it went. First off on Monday we went up to the river for just a few short hours to see the cruise ship Le Champlain as I believe I had mentioned that in an earlier post. So, that brings us to today's trip up to the river. First let me begin by saying that I have "NEVER" ever done September 20 believe it or not in 26 years out along the St. Clair River. So what's the big deal you ask? Plain and simple it took me 27 years but, FINALLY I made it to the river on the 20th of September and believe it or not it was well worth the wait as you all won't believe what we saw. You may say and think that seeing only 8 boats isn't much of a big deal and wasn't a lot but, think again as it's the way we saw the eight ships hence the reason that I call it "Autumn Thunder this time of year!" The Thunder was out today at the river and check out the list of the 8 ships that I saw.

Federal Margaree (never seen it before today)
CSL St-Laurent (Finally saw it down in Port Huron at the bridge)
John D. Leitch (First time this year and first time since 2017)
G3 Marquis (only the second time I saw it but first in St. Clair)
Michipicoten (first time seen on the river all season long in 2019)
Hamburg (first time ever seen it and after rename)

So, those five ships mentioned above were all ones I had not seen either before 2019 or never seen period before. Three more that I did see though were the Algoma Sault upbound the second time in 2019 for her, the James R. Barker downbound first time down for her as two previous times this year were upbound and as I said the CSL St-Laurent was the first time downbound ever at the Bridge in Port Huron with the Sea Keepers Mural. So today at the river was extra special and Mega, Super huge for me and well worth the wait of 27 years to finally nail down September 20. This will surely be a day and date at the river that I will always remember and surely never ever forget! Today's trip now brings me up to a grand total of 16 trips for the 2019 season with four to go for my 20th trip to which I am hoping to obtain probably sometime during the first week in October. Keep in mind folks that 17 is an average year of river trips for me. I've never ever finished a year at 18 or 19 so it is either 17 or fewer at times but anything over 17 means point is that it will be 20 or higher at the river. So this year I will definitely end the year at some point with at least 20 trips or more which I will be very happy and satisfied with and also the countdown for my 500th river trip is also underway and at some point in the year 2020 I am expecting to obtain and achieve that awesome goal for me. Definitely exciting times and days are coming and ahead here.

[Denny]

Hello everyone and hope that you’re all doing well. Thanks everyone for reading this post and also your comments and words of encouragement as they’re very much appreciated here. Sorry for not updating here as I’m still in “major catchup mode and probably will be now right up at least until the season ends in mid-January at the Soo when they shut and close down for the winter.” At least then I’ll have more spare and free time to work on things and right now I got lots and tons of stuff lined up to do this winter. At this time however, October this year will be a very busy along with crazy and hectic month for me not at the river though but getting lots of home improvement projects done that both my folks put off for years until they past away. The point is most of the home improvement projects didn’t get done while they were here and now we’re making up for it and the challenging part is we’re dealing with a home that’s over 50 years old as well! So I don’t know how much Ship and river watching I’ll be doing in October as we will just have to wait and see on that one. Right now I’m stuck on 15 trips so far in 2019 to the St. Clair River and the challenging part now is trying to get the 20th trip in this year as I’m hoping to get at least 20 runs but it’s sure been a struggle and a long road and hill to climb getting to that point this year. At some point though I hope and know I’ll get 20 runs to the rivet but it’s going to take time this year. Well yesterday we were at the river for a short time only to see the cruise and passenger ship Le Champlain go through. This was her first ever visit here in the Great Lakes/Seaway and first trip up the St. Clair River having been built just last year in 2018. It was quite a thrill and sight seeeing it go by on the river though yesterday. Saw the Tim S. Dool getting fuel at Shell but didn’t have time for pictures and missed the Calumet down in St. Clair as well both of which I hadn’t seen so far all year. Got to see the Algoma Guardian at the Bridge in Port Huron so that’s one less Algoma boat for me to see in 2019 now. Well that wraps up this edition and update as I’ll try and do my very best to keep you all updated on my river trips when I can.

[Howard Sprague]

Hello Denny my friend, I hope you are doing well!

Despite the unsettled weather we were out at the river again today and boy was it worth it to get the Alpena and Arthur M. Anderson, as well as the Federal Rhine and Algoma Strongfield, among others. There was quite the parade and we saw nine ships. This is our 25th trip this season since we retired from the county in April.

[Howard Sprague]

I'm glad you got out to the river on Friday and Saturday, Denny. We got out there as well and had great days. We wanted to get out on Sunday after church services but alas, we volunteered to go help mother and some of the other church ladies at Miss Edwards's house. She hasn't been too mobile lately and needs the help.

We were out briefly this morning too. We are anxiously awaiting the first passage of the Laura VanEnkevort as we want badly to see her and are looking forward to the fall grain rush being in full swing with cooler days ahead!

[ed]

I enjoyed watching the M S U football team defeat Western this past Saturday. They have a very difficult schedule but as of now they look way better than Michigan.Without a doubt, M S U spends way less money on their football program than Michigan or Ohio State and their coaching staff is paid only a fraction of either Michigan or Ohio State. Just goes to show you that money can NOT buy a winning program !

[MarcE]

I live in AZ about 20 mins from the stadium. I wore my Lions shirt with pride until they blew it as usual. I threw it into the closet in disgust. During the Barry Sanders era i worked security for training camp and did field security. I got to talk to my heros everyday! That era is gone and Im tired of saying Theres always next year!
Ill start watching them again if they make the playoffs.
Hey Denny... Always GO BLUE!

[Denny]

Needless to say one and all that after watching the Lions and their performance and "major meltdown" in Arizona on Sunday along with the Michigan Wolverines' survival in Ann Arbor on Saturday against Army, I'm all through now watching both Michigan along with the Lions on TV and wasting my time with the both of these two teams. The only way that I will ever watch Michigan on TV is they someday get rid of Harbaugh and this program gets back to the days like when Bo once coached them and they were a power and a consistent team win or lose but mostly beating Ohio State along with Michigan State, winning the Big 10 Title and of course going to Bowl games. Right now I don't see much of any of that with the current regime of Harbaugh and his staff right now say the least. As for the Lions, give me a break what more needs to be said on this group of losers? I say LOL heck even High Schoolers can do and play better than they did on Sunday in Arizona! If you want to learn and play football and your a Senior in High School, just go and play for the Lions as that's a secondary HS in my opinion on this. The Lions to me have a bunch of like High School players and no way shape or form are these guys playing now like the pros that they should be. To think the Lions are paying Stafford all of this money and Yeah sure he looked good at times on Sunday but what about the rest of the gang? Yeah the rookie Tight End they ended up drafting should be good so long as Patricia and Darryl Bevel know how and where to use and move him around in the offense. One of their many problems is the Offensive Line has absolutely NO clue how to protect and defend Matt Stafford. How the heck can he sit back in the pocket and take the beatings he does every week is behind me? Just watch him closely and you see he does not and can't figure out how to pick up the blitzes and if you watch on TV sometime, Cam Newton of Carolina is in the same class and look at the beatings that he's been taking every week! Think Andrew Luck made the right decision and move at retiring at a young 29 years of age? I sure do think though and maybe more should consider that one. Just my opinion and thoughts on this. Comments here?

[garbear]

Can't wait until the Lions play the Vikes. My son will heckle me the whole game. Oh, well. Such is life.

[Denny]

Watched some of the Vikings game today and thought they looked good as least their Defense looked good to me. The Lions are surely going to have trouble with them this year. My brother told me he didn’t think the Bears and their offense would look that good this year and sure enough look at how they did against Green Bay? There again, the Packers and their Offense didn’t look the greatest either and I think Aaron Rogers who I can’t stand may be about done and finished. One team that may be scary this year are the Baltimore Ravens and their offense, just look what they did today to Jacksonville smoking them at 59-17 and the Jags lost their QB Nick Foles today. The worst teams in the NFL this year may be a tie between both Arizona and Miami. Glad I’m not fans of those two teams and another I think that will struggle as they always seem to do are the Jets. In my opinion, Namath cursed the Jets when he made the guarantee that they’d win and they did versus the Colts. The Jets have never been to another Super Bowl since then and never won another. Glad I don’t root for them as they are the Cubs if you will of the NFL Football world.

[garbear]

Okay Marc and all that watched the Lions game. What did you all think about that one and who would’ve thought and seen that one coming as far as a tie? My brother tells me “Bad Offense, Defense, Quarterback and coaching all leads up to typical Lions for you!” If he survives this year without getting fired, who knows Matt Patricia may not be here after this season and OC coach Darryl Bevel may also be shown the way out as well. My Dad once said “Just sell the dang team already will you? Comments and thoughts one and all?

Sitting up here in Duluth I pretty much have the same feeling. I've been a fan of the Michigan teams for 55 + yrs. One thing I will say is I thought Stafford looked pretty good and that rookie tight end is going to be good.

Tigers I've given up on. I'm not going to blame it on Gardenhire. Avila hasn't given him any talent. Remember growing up in Michigan on Sunday afternoons my Grandma would bring the box radio out in the backyard and we'd listen to the games. Had to use an extension cord because in those early days there weren't battery operated radios. Don't hold out much hope for the teams. Been up here for 40 yrs., but never became a fan of the MN teams.

[Denny]

Okay Marc and all that watched the Lions game. What did you all think about that one and who would’ve thought and seen that one coming as far as a tie? My brother tells me “Bad Offense, Defense, Quarterback and coaching all leads up to typical Lions for you!” If he survives this year without getting fired, who knows Matt Patricia may not be here after this season and OC coach Darryl Bevel may also be shown the way out as well. My Dad once said “Just sell the dang team already will you? Comments and thoughts one and all?

[Denny]

Yeah but I say Go Bills too you all! To think they went 4-0 during the Preseason and yeah they struggled against the Jets today but they also came from behind and won. The point is that a win is a win no matter how you can get it! Next week they go right back to New York and face the Giants and look at what they and Eli are doing today while at Dallas. Next week if they don’t beat the Giants, then I’m torching all of my Buffalo stuff then. Michigan yesterday struggled against Army and I’m all through wasting my Saturdays watching those bozo heads! Get rid of Harbaugh please someday and then maybe I’ll watch Michigan Football again. What about the Tigers or as I call them the lovable losers huh? Last year you lose 98 games and this year you equal that total and then lose more than 100? Too bad they got rid of all their good players folks just look around and if you haven’t noticed lately, they’re all doing much better then when they played here. Now the Tigers are stuck as far as with Miguel Cabrera and all the money spent on him. You’d think the Tigers would learn when it comes to getting power hitters and paying them boatloads of money! Look at when remember years ago when they got Prince Fielder what happened? Of course he turned into a waste and a bust for them! To think they extended GM Al Avila’s contract during the season? Go figure on that decision as he should’ve been shown out the door IMO anyway. I’d be shocked if they don’t end up get rid of the manager Ron Gardenhire after this season. What do you do along with where do you begin with that mess as far as cleaning it up and making the necessary changes and there definitely need to be some there!

[MarcE]

Hey, go Lions!

[Denny]

I asking for everyone’s patience this week as I have a busy week on tap with lots of local things to do this week. At some point when I have the time, I hope to update this post with happenings from my two river trips but until then please I ask you all for your patience and understanding Ali have lots of catching up to do and with the rain forecasts for this week this will be just what I need for playing catch up this week on things. Thanks all for your patience and understanding. Stay Tuned!

[Bookworm]

Good for you, Denny! I'm sure you have lots of great
memories from your adventure.

[Denny]

Just to let everyone know that we did the river not once but count them twice in a row this weekend! Not often we do it that way but we did it this weekend and boy we were not disappointed either as we ended up with 21 ships total in only two days! We had 9 ships on Friday and 12 yet today with one missed unfortunately but it was worth the missed one as hey, a person has to get something to eat somehow and way right? We have lots to update and lots to tell you all this week but, you'll have to be patient and wait for the reports to come in as we will tell you all about what went down on the river both Friday and Saturday. In the meantime, be sure to try and check out Bookworm's photos and reports as I'm sure she may have lots of photos from Friday and Saturday as well and that may give you some ideas as to what I saw on the river for Friday and on Saturday. Also, to one and all that reads this post you can bet and be assured "Autumn Thunder is back with a full force and fury for this fall and if you didn't feel the Autumn Thunder then you may want to start looking around and upward!" There is plenty more of Autumn Thunder yet to come this fall season for me on the river as it has started and there's no stopping me now from my desire and drive along with passion for these ships and going up to the river. Have a great and safe boatwatching weekend all. I need a much needed and deserved break after doing two in a row and it works out perfect with the NFL Football season starting up. Go Buffalo!

[Denny]

Thanks Marc as I am doing my best to keep my chin up brother and YES indeed as I have faith and confidence that bigger along with brighter days are lying ahead for me out there. This young man of the seas if you will still has cards to play yet in the deck and I still have my pardon the pun if you will, Trump Card along with a few Jokers as well. Face Cards and Jokers are Wild and look out when I lay them on the table folks as when I do I'm all in there baby! As for Howard, I got an idea my friend if they catch the dude that stole your car. They should send them to the Hurricane Dorian zone or at least deport them to the Bahamas and have them help to clean up those poor residents down there after they ended up being bombarded by that storm. Then maybe that will teach that culprit never to steal a car again! Just my thoughts on this subject!

[MarcE]

Stole your car? Thats not right. I hope they find the culprits! Im very sorry that happened to you.
I caught the Tecumseh on the live cam and the James Barker and my 3 yo grandson went nuts. He says he is going to sail on the big boats like papo.
Denny, keep your chin up bro, it will all get better. ;).

[Denny]

Hey Howard and Holy Toledo it’s looks and sounds like you had a field day and a great day on the river with all that traffic! Wish I could’ve been there to see it but I had to go to the Doc today. Everything went well and checked out okay but I still need a few more appointments yet and some more therapy yet before I’m back to 100% as it’s gonna take some time. Glad you got to see the Anderson as she’s one of my favs and I was lucky and fortunate to see her when she came down here on her first trip down here back in early August. She sure looks great with her new paint job huh? Glad to see she’s back as that boat deserves to be out there working. Sure do envy you though seeing two that I have not seen yet the Atlantic Huron and Tecumseh. I haven’t seen Tecumseh yet this year along with Kaministiqua and the Atlantic Huron I last saw it in 2015 on the river. Howard and others, can you believe I’ve NEVER ever seen the Atlantic Huron in all the years and time that I’ve gone up to the Soo Locks? Another that I haven’t seen hardly is the Salarium at least when she sailed as the Nanticoke! Once I saw it as the Nanticoke at the Soo my only time but, due to a stuck shutter on my camera to which I had no idea and clue at the time I never was able to get any photos of her back then as there was nothing on the negatives only blanks! That one really hurt me and stung me and I didn’t know until many years later that’s how I lost my film at the Soo was due to a stuck shutter as I thought maybe the Security people at the Locks might have did something when they check your bags entering the complex at the Locks sort of like at your airports if you will. Hey Howard this weekend looks very promising for ship traffic as I’ve been tracking them all day long! Both Friday and Saturday look like real winners with lots of ship traffic both days and good boats to see as well. If you can get out to see them, I’d highly recommend you make an effort and an attempt to do so as you won’t be disappointed that’s for sure! Who gives a hoot and care right now about college football on TV this Saturday as I got all of the Fall season for that stuff. Right now as long as the weather is good and I can get out, I want to be at the river seeing the boats especially now with Fall almost here and the Grain Rush starting up. Hope you enjoy this weekend and can get out to see some shipping traffic if you can!