I made it back from a whirlwind trip to Washington where I helped settle my folks in their new home and nearly emptied their home of 50 years. My sister had done the bulk of the work before I got there.
She is one awesome lady (even if she is my little sister!) I crammed in as much visiting with family and friends as I could in between the packing and settling in.
Bob met me at the airport in Nashville and we made it back to the boat at 10 that night. It was a looong day that started at 4 AM. It was good to be home on our boat. Bob had done many boat chores while
I was gone - installed a new water hose on the wash down system, fixed both toilets, installed new facets in both heads (even a new shower facet!), repacked the v-berth, installed bilge alarms, and many other projects.
This was our boat’s home for the last 3 weeks. The Chris Craft in front of us makes us look so little!
This guy kept Bob company while I was gone. Bob said he was there every day. He showed me his fishing skills while I was there by actually catching one! Of course I’d just turned off the video before he caught it :(
We spent three days shopping. enjoying Florence, and relaxing before getting underway once more.
We headed out Sunday morning after the necessary pump out. The Tennessee River is so pretty there with the tall, sculpted cliffs lined with beautiful homes.
It has been one month since we first entered this portion of the river, and as we back track we marvel at how fast the trees have changed. The trees were still summer green then, and now many are bare with
a rare touch of bright color here and there..
The beauty of a waterfall is always special.
As we near the turn to the Tenn-Tom Waterway we realize that we are ending the re-tracing of our steps and we about to enter new territory once more. We’ve heard the good and the bad about what lies ahead, but have learned from all the other “new” areas that we have prepared ourselves as best we can and we will enjoy this stretch as we have the others.
We have seen Grand Harbor as we passed by on our way to the rendezvous.
The marina office is lovely with gliders all along the dock.
Not sure if this lovely building is a home or part of the facility, but WOW!
As usual - there are fisherman. The man in the front caught a fish right after I took this picture. He nearly fell out of the boat!
This lovely home was just down river from the marina. Notice the fun slide next to the boat house.
We anchored for a very chilly night in a cove not far from the beginning of the Tenn-Tom and joined a small sailboat already there. It was carrying two fairly new Loopers - college friends that had read of two other co-eds doing
the Loop, and decided to give it a try. We had them over to the boat for drinks and appetizers and had a very good visit. They are traveling on a 29 foot sailboat that belongs to Grace’s dad. With his help, she
refitted the boat for the Loop. It is very basic - no refrigerator and an alcohol stove. She redid the all important toilet so they have the necessities. I gave them some tips on the AGLCA’s web site and Bob showed
them our navigation software. Emily and Grace were a delight and we hope to meet up with them soon.
The next morning started out cold and cloudy but eventually the clouds moved off and the sun warmed us up a little bit. Bob is still thawing out though. A high of 55 up on the fly bridge is a bit nippy.
He even broke out the gloves!
Lots to see around us today.
Wonderful rock formations
Goat Island that reportedly actually has goats but they opted not to show themselves to us.
Flocks of white pelicans - my first time seeing white ones!
So beautiful!
Do you think this heron wants to be a pelican? Or maybe hoping they’ll share a meal?
These two boats started out the day ahead of us. One sped up and disappeared but we followed the one all morning. I think he was flying a Looper burgie, but I’m not sure. This was taken at the beginning of the “cut”. The Tenn-Tom is a man made waterway connecting the Tennessee River to the Tombigbee River (thus the name). The “cut” is so deep that is took a full 25 % of the budget and moved more dirt than the entire Panama Canal.
Most of the cut is lined with rock but it is interrupted by streams and rivers joining the waterway. The Corps of Engineers created special constructions that prevent rivers (when in high water) from rushing into the waterway and potentially being a problem for the large tows (and small boats like us).
The cut is plenty wide for two loaded barges to pass and we have passed several of them!
We stopped for the night in this beautiful quiet cove. We hoped to see some wildlife and were rewarded by a cute otter-like creature playing along the shore and a heron fishing for his dinner. The stars were amazing that night. The Milky Way blazed across the sky.
Tomorrow we start locking through again as we hope to make it through 3 locks.
Docked at Florence Marina, Alabama - 10/20-11/11
Anchored in Zippy Cove off the Tenn-Tom, Mississippi - 11/12
Anchored in Coot Cove off the Tenn-Tom, Mississippi - 11/13
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