Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Monday, July 21, 2014

Detroit River classic tugboat race



We stayed in Toledo  longer than originally planned because we were again invited onboard the tugboat Josephine for the annual classic tug boat race in the Detroit River.  We did our first race aboard this tug in 2012.  It turned out this is a Dutch Navy vessel that over the years finally found its way to Toledo as a private yacht.  When the crew found out that Anneke was Dutch, they asked her to translate some of the original documents onboard, since they had no idea what was in them.   When we left the vessel, they let us know that we were always welcome back.  So when our friend Gary said he was going this year, we jumped at the chance to go along.

The Josephine is docked in Toledo, so the race is an all day operation.  We boarded by 7am and started the day with a great breakfast on deck.  The crew were great hosts and food and liquid refreshments flowed all day long.




We lucked out with a beautiful day after several days of heavy rain.  The trip north was relaxing with lots of traffic to observe while talking with the crew and fellow passengers.







As we neared the start point, we toured a couple of the side dock areas of Detroit.  In one of them was the old Boblo Island ferries that transported people to the Boblo Island amusement park.  This has long since closed.  However, some years back I was asked to help someone who had purchased one of the ferries with the intent of restoring and using it as an attraction.  I spent some time working with them, but let them know I thought it was a lost cause.  Sadly, I was proved correct and it is now sitting there with its sister vessel waiting for some final indignity to put it out of its misery. 



All of the boats gathered at the start and the race was on. 














It was a hard run race and the good guys won-that would be us.




After the race, we docked in Windsor for a short walk. Then we leisurely motored along the Detroit skyline and started our journey back to Toledo.





Passing the Toledo lighthouse signaled the end of a great day on the water.


13 comments:

Travels with Emma said...

What an interesting experience that was. I'd never heard of tug boat races before.

John Hedges said...

Fun day on the water for a couple of VIPs and on the winning boat too.

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

I'd say that ride on the tug brought out the old salty dog in you but can't because it was on fresh water... ;c)

where's weaver said...

I bet that was quite a treat for them to have Anneke be able to translate those documents. Nice of them to invite you back.

Looks like a gorgeous day. What a lovely view of Toledo. Congratulations on your victory.

Wanderin' said...

Okay .. that would definitely be a fun thing to do. I didn't know tug boats raced either.

Bob and Jo said...

Great day and the food looked good.

Sherry said...

Oh what fun, a tugboat race. I have never heard of it and on the Detroit river too. Always nice to be the winner. Sorry to hear about the ferry that couldn't be saved though.

Rick said...

Thanks for taking us along on a great boating adventure.

Sure looked like fun.

Happytrails said...

I thought I had made a comment on your post and I don't see it here so perhaps I "thought" I did.. LOL

I had no idea that tug boats raced. What fun and to make it even better you had a winner!! Gorgeous day on the water :-) Thanks for sharing!!

Laura said...

As usual, your fantastic photos told the story!

The BooneDocks said...

Sad to see the historic Boblo boats just rusting away.

Sweet Meanderings said...

What a fun time on the water! What a shame about the ferry. It looks like she was once a beautiful boat.
Candy

Linda said...

This looks like a fascinating and enjoyable time! Your photos are fantastic!