Update from Denny

[Howard Sprague]

Glad to hear you are feeling better, Denny, my friend!! We were out at the river this afternoon for a few hours and saw the JRB, Atlantic Huron, James L. Oberstar, Arthur M. Anderson and Tecumseh. We hadn't seen the Anderson, Tecumseh or Atlantic Huron this year and we got some great pics of the Anderson to send to Roger for the Know Your Ships book!

[Denny]

Hi Howard and so sorry to hear about what happened with your Mom’s car as that sounded and had to be horrible and terrible to have that end up happening to her. I hope somehow that they can catch the thief that did it as that person IMO should be hung for that crime. The important thing to remember though is thank goodness nobody got hurt in that incident as cars can always be replaced but people’s lives unfortunately cannot be replaced. Hope that you found a good replacement car as I know the feeling about getting used to all the new technology in cars today. I feel your pain and frustration as well of not seeing the Algoma Niagara, Sault and the Buffalo yet this year. Luckily I have seen all three already once this year. As for the Buffalo, Wow that’s a very long time to see them not since 2011 as that is totally amazing. Haven’t seen the Joe Block now since 2006 at the Soo with my Mom and the Sykes I haven’t seen since 2005! I wish both of them would come down here more often but yet when they do it seems it’s always at the end of the year when the weather gets unsettled and uncertain and then I can’t go up to the river then. The Block drives me crazy especially at the Soo as I never get to see them downbound as the always seem to be up. I’ve only seen the Block twice downbound up there and each time my photos of her were bad. Once I saw it and I only got a bow shot but Not of the whole boat. The other was at Mission Point at night when it was down. I am doing okay regarding my health issues and this week I go back to the Doc and hopefully when I get a new set of shoes that will help out in about a month. Now I’m trying to avoid any type of serious walking so I don’t damage or make things worse but it’s hard as well with the nicer weather as I’d like to get out and walk but just don’t wanna risk it yet. I’m hoping to make the river soon but first have to see what the Doc says and plans to do. If I have to wear a wrap on my foot again, then I may be all done for a while at the river and who knows about this year then? It takes a long time to get over this from what I read. Can’t wait to get back up on the river though here at some point as there’s just so much to see and do and I’m running out of time to see and do it up there this year. If only we hadn’t had such a lousy Spring and all that rain back in May and June of this year though! Hope Fall is Better here.

[Howard Sprague]

So far this year I would have to give Algoma a failing grade, Denny. We still haven’t seen the Algoma Niagara or Algoma Sault on the river this year. We still haven’t seen the Algoma Buffalo either. Believe it or not we haven’t seen her on the river since she was with American Steamship in 2011!

We finally went car shopping with mother to replace our stolen car today so hopefully we will be back on the river this week. It’s hard though because now we have to learn all the buttons on our new Kia Soul and I just don’t do that well with the new technology. I still miss my old Ford Escort and can’t believe some dumb jerk stole it. I hope you are doing well and on the mend, Denny, and we will see you out on the river for Autumn Thunder soon!

[Denny]

Okay everyone I am starting a new phase here on my Update from Denny post. Each month from the end of the month to the start of the month for example the end of August to the beginning if you will of September I will each month give what I consider my own grade for each and every major fleet both U.S. and Canadian on the Great Lakes/Seaway. Of note not every fleet will be listed only a certain few. Why am I giving the fleets a grade you may want to ask me? Simple folks, it all boils down to IMO what fleets I've seen this year as far as if I have seen all of their ships yet on the river and what fleets I've seen the most of that gets a passing grade and which ones I haven't seen the most of and they of course will then get a failing grade. So, let's begin with what fleets have a passing grade so far in my log books. I would have to go with these fleets for a passing grade and they are Great Lakes Fleet, Interlake and the Algoma Tanker fleets as each of these fleets I have seen all of their vessels thus far on the St. Clair River. Now the ones that do not get a passing grade and have failed the test so far this year. Those fleets are Algoma, CSL and Lower Lakes Towing as I still have far too many from each of those respective fleets yet to see so far in 2019! Another fleet with a passing grade to add in would be the ships of the Grand River Navigation fleet as I've seen all but the Calumet so far from their fleet which isn't too bad. Not a fleet but another that gets a passing grade definitely are the 1,000 foot lakers as seeing 11 of them on any given river or location is most certainly deserving of a passing grade IMO anyway. Another that deserves noting that definitely IMO gets a failing grade and I do mean a major failing grade are saltwater vessels or salties as we all call them for short. I have not seen very many of them so far on the river and in fact I've only seen one Fednav all year which is most certainly unheard of as last year I saw 4 or 5 of them and in 2017 I really saw lots of the Fednavs. Another salty fleet that comes into play are the Wagenborgs as I've only seen two of them all year which is about norm or average but always would like to see more of them. Throw in another salty fleet that gets a failing grade as I never get to see them are Canfornavs you know the ones with the green colored hulls out there. I sure don't ever get to see them hardly at all out on the river. So there you have it as far as who gets a passing grade and who gets a failing grade. This is just mainly me and my viewpoint as far as who I am seeing on the river most and who I'm not seeing that often. Hopefully this fall things will start to pick up out along the river and eventually I will start to see more traffic along with more salties as well. Time will tell as far as how things progress in the next few months ahead. Until then at least, this is what I call my latest report card for now. Haven't heard yet from anyone and was hoping to see a list from some of you on what ships you haven't seen yet and are hoping to see. Please post a list here of anything that you have not seen this year as this is just for fun purposes only and nothing further than that. Thanks everyone and hope to see a few of your lists soon!

[Howard Sprague]

Hello Denny my friend! Sorry to hear of your ailments! I know what it's like to not have a car as we recently had our car stolen right out of our driveway and it's been a major pain. What kind of car do you have that you got a recall?

We have been having to borrow mother's car to go to the river lately and it has been a pain until the insurance money comes through. I wanted to go to the river yesterday to see the Algoma Sault and Iver Bright but unfortunately mother had her weekly bridge game so we couldn't borrow her car. I hope you feel better and Autumn Thunder gets off to a great start! We will see you soon at the river!

[Denny]

If anyone that reads this post is interested, I've compiled a list of some of the ships as of August 31, 2019 that I have yet to see so far on the St. Clair River and photograph. The list is very long and extensive so I may have to break this up into certain parts for it to be able to fit on here and not make it too long and lengthy for you all to see and read. Here now are a few that I've yet to see in 2019.

Algoma Equinox, Algoma Guardian, Algoma Harvester along with the Algoma Mariner, Algoma Spirit, Algoma Transport and also the John D. Leitch, Radcliffe R. Latimer and the Tim S. Dool. Of note on the Latimer, I've yet to see them upbound as everytime I see them they're always downbound! G3 Marquis I listed here as they are managed by Algoma yet owned by the Global Grain Group of Canada formerly the CWB or the Canadian Wheat Board. Of note I've only seen them once as the CWB Marquis and so far once also as the G3 Marquis in 2018 in Port Huron. Haven't had too good of luck catching them out along the St. Clair River lately.

Here's some more for you all to see and read from my list.

American Mariner (haven't seen it on the river since 2015)
Indiana Harbor (saw at the Soo in 2018 on the river in 2017)
Sam Laud (haven't seen it on the river since 2017)

Atlantic Huron (haven't seen it since 2015)
CSL Tadoussac (saw once in 2018)
Frontenac (did see it once in 2018)
Spruceglen (saw it once in 2018)
Thunder Bay (haven't seen it since 2013)

Calumet of Grand River Navigation
Alpena (saw her once in 2018)
Kaministiqua
Michipicoten
Robert S. Pierson
Tecumseh
Great Lakes Trader and Joyce L. Van Enkevort

These are just a few of the many ships that I have yet to see and photograph so far this year up along the St. Clair River for 2019. As you can see by the list, it is very long and extensive and there are many on my list yet to be seen so far in 2019. Hopefully I'll get lucky at some point and see some of these up on the river this year and photograph them with my new digital camera. One that I am really anxious to see is the Indiana Harbor as with them I will have seen then 12 of the 1,000 footers on the St. Clair River in 2019 and that's not a bad deal or thing in my opinion anyway to see that many 1,000 footers on the St. Clair River in one given season I'd say for myself anyway. Hope that some of you all out there are doing just as well maybe better than I have been doing so far on the river in 2019. Anxious to see and hear from others just what ships they are waiting to see and photograph this year. Please let me see your lists sometime folks as I'd be very interested in it.

[Denny]

Thanks a million Guest and everyone else for your thoughts and also your prayers as they’re much appreciated. As I mentioned in one of my earlier post, I had to get another shot which wasn’t too bad but now the hard part is having to wear a bum and stupid wrap for the next week until I can see the Doc again. The wrap is a royal pain in the foot as it hurts like heck and I can barely walk with it. Sure will be glad when I can get it taken off and hopefully feel better and get back out to the river again! With this being Labor Day weekend, normally I wouldn’t be up on the River now anyway with all the people and the craziness of the Labor Day holiday as I try to avoid that stuff by all means. Now I will surely have lots of makeup time to do at the river and I just hope that the weather will continue to remain the way it is and we don’t have much in the way of any rain or crappy weather. My quest now for 20 or more runs on the River is in grave jeopardy now with my health issues and the unknown status yet of my car recall. Needless to say after my big year at the river in the Fall of 2017 with 21 trips from September to the end of November and breaking and shattering records like I could not have dreamed and imagined, getting back to the top is certainly been taking a heavy toll and burden on me in the past two years or so. Even my quest for 500 river trips is also taking a heavy burden and toll on me as well. I regret to inform all of you that Summer Fury will now cease and end after today and that Autumn Thunder will officially start and begin tomorrow but just when the real Autumn Thunder begins on the river at this point, who knows and if it will be as good as it was back in 2017? Last year in 2018, unfortunately Autumn Thunder did not live up to its reputation like in 2017. That year I had 8 trips in October and in November I made 9 trips both of which were records and the most trips ever for me in those two months! As for September, my best year for that month was in 2013 with 6 trips made and I don’t expect to have that many this year and in September either. Right now I’m just taking things one day at a time as that’s all that I can do at this point for now. Please keep your thoughts and words of encouragement coming one and all as I can definitely use them at this most difficult, challenging and frustrating time. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

[Guest]

Thoughts and prayers.

[Denny]

Thanks Jerry as I just saw the Doc today. I’ve had two cortisone shots now and today I got it wrapped up and taped pretty good and I can’t do much now very limited mobility for the next week. I sort of feel like I’m under a curse or something and just as bad, last week I got a recall on my car as well. I guess you could say it’s the Perfect Storm for me huh? Don’t look like I’ll be making it out to the river for a while now at least! Sure hope this don’t end my year on the river with the foot issues and now the car recall! Dang and stupid Mother Nature for you as well for me this year as we had so much and too much rain this Spring during May and June. Not to be mean or rude to folks with my comments but it’s easy for one to say “Hang in there and keep your chin up and I totally respect that and realize that!” However I would hope also that some will also think and put themselves in my spot and realize just all of the frustrations I’ve gone through so far in the past couple of months as well. Things were going along as well as can be expected and then I hit a few bumps in the road. Also remember folks, it takes me an hour just to drive to the St. Clair River and I can’t just jump in a car and be there in a few minutes. Also, I live more than 300 or more miles from the Soo and between 5-6 hours away from there and my point is I just can’t jump in a car and be at either location in just a few minutes. That is why I stress upon how important going up to the St. Clair River is for me and just as important that I do well up there and don’t struggle with it as you never know when your health can get you! Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and words of gesture as they’re appreciated here.

[Jerry at Duluth]

Denny, I know the pain that you are feeling. Two years ago, I had the same problem and could barely walk. I bought a pair of wedges that go in the shoes, at Walmart, under eight dollars. In twenty four hours the pain was mostly gone and was completely gone in three or four days. I don't know if this will work for you but for the cost, it is sure worth a try.
Jerry

[Denny]

Well everyone it’s looks like I’ll be in a temporary lay up from going out to the St. Clair River for a while at least. I got a really and very bad case of Plantar Fasciitis in my foot and if anybody knows about that then I don’t think I need to say more regarding the pain that I’ve been having with this for the past month. This week was an awesome and important week on the river for me as I made 4 trips in one week which never has been done before. Not going into long details but, saw the Anderson on the river again along with three 1,000 footers on Friday. On Saturday, it was a bit disappointing as I was all pumped, excited and had it all set up to do the Huron Lady 2 cruise to see the Tall Ships. Come to find out they were all sold out in advance! Lucky for me though I got my ticket for the Sunday cruise and that’s what I did. The cruise was fantastic and one of the highlights was meeting the American Spirit downbound and getting a salute from them near the Maritime Center! That was surely an awesome moment passing by her and seeing its full 1,004 foot length. Got great photos of the Tall Ships. Another highlight was just before the cruise seeing the Big and Mighty Paul R. Tregurtha upbound on the river at the Tug Manitou Dock. I tried to wave but couldn’t get a salute from Captain Bob this time. It appeared that they had passengers aboard as there were a few standing outside the pilot house. It was second time I saw here in 2019 as the first was on June 4 heading down at the time. Some other highlights from this week was seeing the Roger Blough on Saturday evening in perfect lighting and the captain was in a great mood blowing salutes many and often to all. On Friday I saw three of the 1,000 footers both the Speer and the James R. Barker were right together going upbound. The Speer I got a salute from but not so from the Barker and that makes me 0-2 on them this year. Later on though the Presque Isle with her new paint job from last year came down and I hadn’t seen them on the river in years. Got a great salute from them and they became my 11th of the 1,000 footers seen on the river for the 2019 season with just the Indiana Harbor yet to see at some point on the river. So, I’ll be laid up for the rest of August now with my foot and that will unfortunately put an end if you will to my Summer Fury of the 2019 Shipping season but at least this week we really unleashed the Summer Fury like there was no tomorrow! With 4 river trips this week and seeing the Anderson, the Presque Isle, Roger Blough along with the Paul R. Tregurtha, American Spirit and the Tall Ships this week the Fury was released like never before. Hope you all survived my Fury this week and that you didn’t get burned from it! This was truly an amazing week.

[Denny]

Thanks as always Bookworm and Yes you are correct as you and many others have indeed posted instructions on posting photos and I will have to at some point take the time and read up on them. Thanks also for your words of confidence and Yes I agree that everyone including you have full confidence in me of just doing it someday and not putting it off and procrastinating as that’s one of my biggest things I do very often and my Dad would often get after me for that! Finally, you are correct as learning something new does indeed take time and practice certainly does make perfect. When I first got my new digital camera this year, at first I was very uncomfortable using it and thought I’d made a horrible mistake in not getting my old one fixed. Now after having and using it since early March, I have no regrets whatsoever and I think it works even better than my old one did! I’ve taken lots of photos at the river and at home and although I’ve not edited the photos yet, what I got so far really look sharp. I definitely got the right camera and I’m very happy now and satisfied with the results. Another of my issues you could say is patience as that’s caused a lot of issues with me over the years and it would drive my folks crazy. I’ve learned from it over the years and it’s gotten better as I’ve wised in my years to say that one carefully. So indeed one day I will certainly send in my photos but now I say to all of you, just hang in there be patient with me and someday you will be amazed at my photos and then hopefully Roger and others will come begging me to have them on display for others to see and enjoy.

[Bookworm]

For anyone that’s been reading this post and I’ve seen a few of you all but not 100% satisfied yet as I’d like to see and read more from you all as far as your comments here. Ok so I don’t post photos here though like Bookworm does but, that’s because first I’ve never done it and I am not familiar with how it works. Second there’s the time factor as now with my Mom gone two years already next week, I have lots more to do now and more responsibility than ever as you might expect and imagine and it’s not always easy. Third and finally there’s photo editing always to do on photos after they’re taken. Unless somebody can help as far as the straightening of photos and color adjusting, then I may be in at that point and someday consider sending some in. As for now all I do is take pictures out at the river, look at them briefly and quickly and then wait until Winter when most of the shipping and Yes the websites slow down. That’s when I have more free time than now obviously to work on my photos and anything else. So I say to one and all when the ships stop in the winter and the locks close, don’t cry and complain as for some like me it is much needed break and catchup time for me and I enjoy the down time to do so...

Denny, over the years people (including me) have posted detailed instructions so you could share your photos. We have confidence in you and really want to see what you've captured on your camera. Learning something new takes time in the beginning, but practice makes perfect. The thing is to stop putting it off or it will never happen.

[Denny]

Hi Marc, I can relate to you as well in regards to you using a cane when things flare up. When my folks were alive each had foot and heel trouble to where they’d use a cane if it flared up enough along with other health issues and it did believe me! Now I think it’s been passed down from generation if you know what I mean? Now I got foot and heel trouble that I’ve been dealing with for a month. The pain is so bad in it that I can barely walk. Perfect timing with so much stuff out along the river going on right now. I can relate to you in part regarding your health issues as I’ve been diabetic now for 10 years and it’s been a very hard constant fight and battle for me. A fight and battle to where often I’ve struggled with and it definitely hasn’t been easy. I definitely blame it for slowing me down at the river in the last few years as it has truly taken its toll on me both physically and mentally. The Diabetics have been passed down to me as well as many members in my family have had it including both my folks. So, you can plainly see now how I feel and why I tell many that yeah I’m still in my 40s and that may look and sound young yet but when you’re dealing with health issues in your 40s then you sure don’t feel young then. That’s also why I’m trying to take advantage of the river stuff as long as I can and as long as my health holds up. Hopefully I still have many good years ahead of me health wise and out at the river. I just take one day at a time as that’s all we can do. Thanks for your comments Marc as they’re appreciated here!

[MarcE]

Denny. I can relate to you on not dealing with the heat and not standing for a long time! They told me in April i have MS. The heat makes it worse and when it flares up i use a cane.

[Denny]

In response to Guesty Guest and his comments about me not going to the river much in the Summer months as I prefer the Fall Season more and the cooler weather? Yes normally I would agree to those words and comments but, at least for now the Summer weather hasn’t been too bad out there. It’s just I can’t stand and deal with too much heat along with excess humidity. Yeah I realize the Summer months you get the heat and humidity as that’s generally the warmest time of the year and you have to except that. It’s just that I haven’t done trips to the river in the Summer month much since back in 2015 due to other circumstances so I sort of forgot what it’s like in the Summer. Since 2013 I’ve started up the river more in the Fall seasons so I guess you could maybe say then that I got more used to Fall and the cooler weather and temps then the Summer months goes if that makes sense? In response though to Guest and his “Don’t consider 40s old comment” that’s easy for many to say except when you’re dealing with health issues and serious ones then 40s may seem a lot older then. I’ve started slowing down more and more and much of it is due to health issues. I won’t elaborate other than I’ve noticrd it for the past 10 years I’ve been dealing with it. Try to do my best and I still feel I got some life left in me yet at the river to see the ships but, often I think and wonder just how much more my window of opportunities will last? That’s why I try to take advantage when I can at least and enjoy the river and photographing ships as best as I can. That Soo trip last year with my brother now means more to me now than ever and I’m so glad and blessed to have been able to go up there last year. Rest assured as we’re not done yet and someday we’ll both be doing more trips and vacations to see the ship activity and action!

[MarcE]

Hey, its not the age, its the miles!
Im almost 48 and feel like im 60!

[Guest]

Don't consider 40's old.

[Guesty Guest]

I thought you didn't go to the river as much in the summer because you preferred the cooler weather?

[MarcE]

For anyone that’s been reading this post and I’ve seen a few of you all but not 100% satisfied yet as I’d like to see and read more from you all as far as your comments here. Ok so I don’t post photos here though like Bookworm does but, that’s because first I’ve never done it and I am not familiar with how it works. Second there’s the time factor as now with my Mom gone two years already next week, I have lots more to do now and more responsibility than ever as you might expect and imagine and it’s not always easy. Third and finally there’s photo editing always to do on photos after they’re taken. Unless somebody can help as far as the straightening of photos and color adjusting, then I may be in at that point and someday consider sending some in. As for now all I do is take pictures out at the river, look at them briefly and quickly and then wait until Winter when most of the shipping and Yes the websites slow down. That’s when I have more free time than now obviously to work on my photos and anything else. So I say to one and all when the ships stop in the winter and the locks close, don’t cry and complain as for some like me it is much needed break and catchup time for me and I enjoy the down time to do so. Moving on, it’s been a busy month so far here for August at the river and I’m anticipating one of the busiest weeks for me in a very long time up at the river this week. Lots going on and I am trying to see and get in as much action as I can this month before the Fall and cooler weather sets in. Gotta take advantage of these days now while they last. I can give you one only piece of good news as now I have FINALLY made it to double digit territory on my river trip totals as now I’ve gotten ten trips for the year 2019 which ties my number from all of 2018. So I ask you boatnerds in this post, “Where are you and what’s next for me in 2019?” Well I think I can see into my crystal ball, a comeback this year as with ten river trips now, that means that I am half way home to a 20 or more trip season on the river and I’m ready and hungry for it this year. The last time I got 20 or more was back in 2017 so after a down year last year, this year I’m ready to climb up the mountain again and get back on top. The journey is well underway now!

Hey spike the ball on me my friend! I would do anything to be there for your next trip. Put us 2 old men together, we are the same age, and we will live it up!
Very Jealous, God forgive me.
Marc