10/23 Rendezvous to Mississippi-so much to tell everyone.

Hi and sorry to be so long without blogging.  We have been busy!!!
On Wednesday, the AGLCA Rendezvous and the Rogersville, Alabama Chamber of Commerce hosted an evening of polo and music.  For a modest fee, we took school buses to the local polo grounds.

 Once there, we were treated to a hayride to see the new stables for the race horses. 

The race horses were so lovely.

Then, the grounds put on an exhibition polo match.  It was fun to see the polo ponies.

The woman who did the announcing was very good about teaching us the rules and strategy of polo while they played. 

After the match, dinner was served and the band began playing Muscle Shoals music.   After dinner and dancing, we headed back to the boat for a good night sleep.

Thursday was the last day of the Rendezvous.  The day focused on crossing the Gulf of Mexico and circumnavigating Florida and heading up the east coast.  In the afternoon, the Hydrophilic was on the Looper Crawl.  We signed up to open our boat for tours.  We were amazed at the large number of folks who came aboard to see our little home.  We had about 40 visitors.  At dinner, our friends Rod and Susie Busbee had many of us in stitches.  Some of us have Yeti coolers.  They do not.  But they don't need one; they have a full sized refrigerator.  It has become a running joke.  They made knock off Yetti T-shirts and insulated cups their Yetti knock off logo.  It was a big hit.

To leave Joe Wheeler, all of the boats have to go through the locks either upbound or downbound.  So that the lock masters would not get a call from each of the boats, boats could sign up for leaving Friday or Saturday and certain times.  John signed us up for leaving at 6 a.m.  We were with three other boats leaving in the dark.  The lock is only a couple of miles way.  As we entered the lock, I was pretty sure we woke up the birds nesting along the lock walls.  Boy, did they squawk. 

The rest of the day, we headed down the Tennessee River to the start of the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway.  At that point, you can see Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.  Along the way, we saw this drive down a hill to the dock.  It looked challenging. 

 We stayed a Grand Harbor Marina that night in Counce, TN.

The next morning, we were up early to head down the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway, called the Tenn Tom.  The fog on the water was very thick and we opted to wait about 2 hours until we could see through the fog.  The fog was really pretty though. 

The sun burned off the fog once it got high enough in the sky.  This crane made the shape of this red marker vey unusual in the fog.

On the Tenn Tom,  the highest lock is the Whitten Lock.  We locked down 84 feet.  The back gate of the lock looks really pretty with the water flowing over it.

The Tenn Tom was manmade to make an easier faster route to the Gulf of Mexico.  The first section is very straight.

When they made the Tombigbee River straighter and deeper, the rivers that ran off of it reversed direction and flowed into the Tenn Tom.  To prevent the rivers from silting up the Tenn Tom, these barriers were placed to allow the water to flow but inhibit the silt.

Shortly after leaving in the morning, both sides of the river are now in the state of Mississippi.  We went through three locks and 56 miles for a full day.

Saturday night, we stayed at Midway Marina, which is not midway on the Tenn Tom by any stretch of the imagination.  Sunday morning was foggy but not as bad as Saturday morning.  We did get an early start because the lock master said he had tows coming and could lock us through if we could get there in 20 minutes.  So we threw off our lines and headed for the lock.  The Tenn Tom becomes much more winding in this area.

The geese are heading south and so are we.

I didn't know that Mississippi was so beautiful.

We did 4 locks and  59 miles.  We landed at Columbus Marina in Columbus, Mississippi.  Look at these gorgeous water hyacinths in the water here. 

The courtesy car was available to go to town, so we signed up and went to dinner and Kroegers. 

From here, the Tenn Tom is more rural and we will be anchoring out some. 

Lat 33 degrees 31.29 North
Long 88 degrees 28.89 West

10/19 Rendezvous in full swing

The Rendezvous is in full swing.  It is so nice to see so many loopers that we have hopscotched with along the way.  There are many people who are just starting to plan their loop.  We were those folks in the Spring of 2015.  We signed up to be mentors and met the nicest planning loopers.  A special session was held before the big kick off meeting so we could guide them through the rendezvous, too.  They had many questions and I was surprised at how confident I felt answering their questions.

On Monday, a session was held where the loopers in progress introduced themselves and told a short story.  John told the story of our crossing of Lake Ontario and how he asked, "Are we Gloucestermen?" to break the tension.  He had everyone in the audience laughing, when he suggested that might not work.

We had the nicest thing happen to us.  This Giving Plate was given to us from our friends, the Busbys.  They knew we loved the cherries in Michigan and sent to Michigan to get the cherry jam and candies for us.  This plate has been passed from one boat to another with the boat names signed to go along with the plate.  How nice is this?  Now, to get ready to pass it on.

There are lots of good laughs and camaraderie.  I had to get a picture when our friend, Mike, walked his dog up to the pool.  Both Mike and the dog were wearing the same outfit.  Loopers show no mercy when a good laugh is to be had.

The classes and vendor displays are very good.  I particularly enjoyed the class on Crossing the Gulf without Drama.  The lecturer was so good, I know we will have a good crossing now.  There are lectures on what to see and do in Mobile, and along the Gulf Coast, and where to go in the east and west coast of FL and so much more.  I am ready to do it all. 

At the Ship's Store for AGLCA, I bought our gold burgee.  We can fly the gold burgee when we complete the loop.  I felt a little sad as I sat in the lecture for the east coast of FL.  Technically, because we bought the boat in Fort Lauderdale and cruised it home to NC, we will cross our wake in Fort Lauderdale.  But I want to wait, and do it officially in NC.  The time has just flown by.

Tonight, the Rogersville, Alabama Chamber of Commerce has a tour of horse stables, a polo match, dinner, and Muscle Shoals music.  It looks like  a fun evening.  Tomorrow, there are more classes and our boat will be on display on the Looper Crawl.  The Looper Crawl is a session where you can look for ideas on other people's boats. 

10/17 To the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous

On Saturday morning, we had our usual Skype session with our Anna and Abigail, our granddaughters in Texas.  Often, they will ask to see things on the boat.  Because we were docked right in front of the Nina and Pinta, I took them on a tour of those boats.  What a good time.

Then we headed down the Tennessee again.  There has been little rain in this area.  The locals tell us that the colors of the leaves will not be so good.  Many of the leaves are turning brown.  As we passed this mountain, it looked like is was draped in camo gear. 

This water intake is brightly colored and much newer than many you see on the river.

We arrived yesterday at Joe Wheeler State Park Marina in Rogersville, AL.  The American Great Loop Cruisers Association is having their Fall Rendezvous here.  The Rendezvous starts today.  Yesterday, at 4 pm the deck around the pool was covered with loopers doing docktails.  It is good to see some folks we haven't seen in a while and to meet others whose names we have heard.  There are many newbies here too.  We did a rendezvous before we started too and it was very helpful.

Last night, we had a full moon and the International Space Station went right overhead.  I took this picture of the full moon over the full marina.

This morning, the sun was rising on our day and the leaves were beautiful. 

The Rendezvous runs until Thursday then we will head toward the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway on Friday.

10/14 Guntersville, Alabama

Today, we took a short cruise down the Tennessee to Guntersville, Alabama.  There are somethings about cruising that I wish I could show you but can't seem to get good pictures.  Today, the butterflies were coming up to the boat and flying off.  The dragonflies would land and tease me by waiting until I got the cell phone and then fly away.  Big fish would splash without warning. 

Guntersville is at the southern most section of the Tennessee River.   It has a census of 8,200 and is the county seat of Monroe County.  We docked at the Guntersville dock.  It is a free dock with no electric or water but you can't beat the price.  The Columbus Ships, the Nina and Pinta, that we had seen at Green Turtle Bay and Ditto Landing are on the docks here, too.  They continue to draw a crowd. 

We were early enough to walk up town for lunch.  I love these small towns,  They are like reading a John Grisham novel.  The courthouse is in the center of town.  The attorney offices and bail bondsmen surround the courthouse.  We ate at a really good breakfast and lunch spot.  They close at 2:30 as business is over by then.  John walked back to the boat but I took advantage of being in town early and got a mani/pedi at the nail salon.

Did you know that Domino's delivers to boats?  Yes, they do.

It is getting dark early now.  Tonight, there is a full moon over Guntersville Harbor.

Lat 34 degrees 21.72 North
Long 86 degrees 17.41 West

10/10-10/13 Down the Tennessee to Goose Pond

Monday, the 10th, we left Chattanooga and headed down the Tennessee River.  The views in the Tennessee River were amazing.   The Tennessee Gorge has carved out a stunning cruising area.

Here an old water intake was covered in vines.

The water was calm and the sun was bright.  We liked the Little Cedar Mountain Anchorage so much on the way up, we headed back to there for the night.  The Rocna anchor holds so well, we had a peaceful night.

The next morning, there was smoke on the water.

The mist evaporated as the sun shone.  It was a short cruise to the Nickajack lock.  As we locked down, this crane sat on the edge of the lock to watch us. 

There is so much to see on the river.  We passed under this railroad bridge.  The workings and geometrics of the bridge are amazing to look see.

Our destination was back to Goose Pond Colony Marina.  We liked it so much on our first time through, we went back.  We had finally ordered the correct new strainers for our air conditioning and generator.  They were waiting for us.  The strainers fit perfectly.  The last time through we met the AGLCA Harbor Hosts for Goose Pond, Patsy and Ray Whitney.  I called Patsy and asked for a recommendation for a hair salon.  On her recommendation, I went to Designer Hair and the owner Dana did a fabulous job on my hair.  We took the courtesy car to Walmart to re-provision.

For dinner, we joined David and Barbara Doyle at an Italian restaurant for dinner.  They are on their second loop.  When they return to FL, they will earn a Platinum Looper Flag. 

Our mail was delivered and we had our absentee ballots.  Today, Kelly from the Goose Pond staff was kind enough to be our second witness as we made our choices.  We did cleaning and other chores today, too.

Tonight, we had dinner at the onsite restaurant here at Goose Pond,  I had shrimp and grits as we watched the sunset. 

Tomorrow, we head downriver to Guntersville.  I will miss the nice people and Goose Pond Colony.

10/9 Last Day in Chattanooga

We have been having fun in Chattanooga.
On Friday, we went to a glass blowing factory in downtown where they let you blow your own glass ball.  You select the colors and the pattern.

The next step is to turn your glass in the furnace. 

Then, a mouthpiece is attached where you blow into the ball to expand it.

It is lots of fun.  They add a handle to hang it from.  The next step is to cool it in an 800 degree oven overnight.  Saturday, we went back to get the finished product and bought a hanger to keep it stable on the boat.  Here is our new ornament on the boat.

This area of Tennessee was the starting point of the Trail of Tears for many of the Cherokee nation.  The US Government had identified land for the states.  That land included land under the auspices of the Native American tribes.  So who had rights to govern?  Of course, that resulted in a law that the Native American tribes would be moved to Oklahoma and reimbursed a paltry sum of 5 million.  Some moved of their own accord.  Others were forcibly driven to Oklahoma.  They were not allowed to go into towns to get food and diseases prevailed.  This Trail of Tears is commemorated in Chattanooga.  The water flows over the steps to the river with art on the sides. 

We need to learn from this shame.

Saturday, there were rowing races on the waterfront.

 We had prime seating.  It was fun to see all the boats lined up and the teams rooting each other on. 

The rows of oars were so colorful.

Chattanooga, like many other cities, is committed to art.  Throughout the city, there is art everywhere.  I enjoyed these two that were made by the Mason Alliance.

  Dog fans will love this one titled, "High Four".

 This sculpture was a shadow of a family walking the waterfront.

This one was in front of the art museum.

Today, we went to the Farmers' Market at the First Tennessee Pavilion.  It was a lovely day, bright and sunny albeit windy.  Signs of fall are beginning to show.

A fund raiser was going on for the Food Bank.  We bought a ticket that allowed us two chicken wings at each of 6 tents.  After eating them all, we placed are ticket in the box for our favorite.  What a tasty way to do some good.

Tomorrow, we start our trip back down the Tennessee heading to Joe Wheeler State Park for the Rendezvous.