06/18/2023
“For everything there is a season, for everything there is a time.” And, so it is with Boats and their Captains. It is with a heavy heart that I now address what many have probably already heard - TULE PRINCESS is officially retired and has been pulled from Lake Nasworthy. She was reluctant to get settled on her trailer, but eventually we got her positioned and pulled, then safely transported to a safe but remote location to await her next chapter. The TULE PRINCESS Steamboat Company has come to an end.
I/We came to a very hard, difficult and emotional decision that due to ongoing mechanical issues, her age, our age, financial concerns, huge increases in insurance costs and a very exciting opportunity to begin teaching Secondary Choral Music this Fall, at age 61, it was time to say farewell to TULE.
I was inspired to pursue this dream over nine years ago. With God’s Grace, Mom’s unwavering belief in me, two Best Friends that never faltered in their support, a Brother that always knew how to fix or weld darn near anything, a very long list of Friends, Supporters, Riders, new Friends and old…..we some how realized the dream of bringing “The Last, American Style Walking-beam Sidewheel Paddle Steamer” to San Angelo, Texas.
When you start an impossible dream, you never know precisely where help, resources, contacts, assistance and those willing to see your vision will come from. Before you know it, folks you will never forget and always will owe such a debt of gratitude show up and sign on to be part of “the crew” and the journey with you. Always approach your dreams with passion, prayer, faith and hard work and you’ll be surprised where help, support and “the God Moments” will come from.
Foremost, I want to thank my Mom - Doris Fox & my Family for all there Love, Support and Patience.
Secondly, my Business Partners: Debra Edmund & Chief Anthony P. Edmund for ALWAYS being ready to “get up steam” and for many, many, many, MANY hours and weekends spent down at the boat, in ALL kinds of weather helping make “a dream” possible.
To our extended TULE Crew Family - Gene & Suzy Roberts, Anna & Eli Driggs, Adrian Russell, Conner Burnett (and the Burnett Family), Mason Sudduth, Chase Little, Sterling Lively, Rowdy Fox, Stoddard Owens, Dave Engleman, Sammy Humphrey, Braxton Woods, David Peterson, Bryant Cobb, Stan & Lynn Joynton, Dutsy Thompson, Shay Elkins, Don Seider and many others who answered my calls and helped us out whenever we needed. You want to know who your real friends are? Start a steamboat business on a small lake in the middle of West Texas and you will soon find out who is true & for real, and who is just fair weather.
I also wish to express my appreciation to COSATX Parks & Recreation Director - Carl White for his support and help in the early days, for even considering bringing such a unique idea before the City Council for approval.
Also, a huge thank you to Dave Erickson at the San Angelo Small Business Development Center for his help, support and belief in this project and what it could represent to the City of San Angelo.
So, what now……..well. TULE is on “the hard” and will be undergoing some maintenance work to make her an attractive prospect. She will be a 40yo steamboat next June. A good long time for a vessel of her type and size. Thank God her entire life has been spent only in fresh water. We hope to find a buyer as soon as possible, one that has a dream and a vision for what she represents and how best to show her off at her best. A big ol’boat sitting on the hard, high and dry, in the middle of a field is not a pleasant thought and certainly not befitting “A Grand Ol’Lady” of her value and worth.
For our Crew - Capt. Mack, Debra and Chief Edmund……well, A LIFE! Who knows what other crazy ideas we’ll will come up with. At least for Capt. Mack, now I can truly focus on being the new Associate Choir Director at Lone Star Middle School; a position & opportunity I had only dared dream would ever open up for an Elementary Level Music Teacher like me before my career ran its course. This amazing opportunity, that I have faith God has prepared me for and now makes possible through His Grace, could not be undertaken with the additional burden of running a “boat business” on the side as a distraction. For now, my Choral Music Education career needs my full focus.
If anyone of our FB Friends is interested or knows of someone that is interested in Steamboating and possibly owning a truly unique Steamboat, unlike any other, please let them know PS TULE PRINCESS is awaiting her next Captain & adventure. Capt. Mack, Debra Edmund and Chief Edmund will do what we can to help you get to know her and love her as we did, do and forever shall.
Capt. Mack can be reached at: 325-895-0349. Or email me at: [email protected]
Thank you, that is all…..”Finished with Engine”!
