Today we attended several sessions. Brenda attended sessions on traveling the Tenn-Tom Waterway and the from Mobile to down through Florida. I attended one on marine maitenance and started attemnding one on electronics before I decided it was too basic and then I joined Brenda for the Florida session. All were very informative and we picked up some good information. Tomorrow the Florida session will continue and discuss options for getting from Alabama to Florida - either going around the Big Bend or going across the Gulf. I think the draft on our boat is too great so we will have to go across which I think is an 18 hour trip.
The women then attended a separate session fro women in the afternoon and the men attended a separate session for them. Interesting and informative but I think they were more geared to people who are thinking about starting the Loop because a lot of it related to information given by current Loopers. One of the things among others that I commented on was diving under the boat to effect repairs. It amazed me how many people thought nothing of using a Hookah or air line attached to a compressor on board and diving under the boat with no experience. Of course, I pointed out that diving with compressed air is inherently dangerous even if in only 3 or 4 feet of water. I hoped a few people listened.
After those sessions we went back to the room and laid down for a while, then Brenda went out for a walk and I read. We then we went to a reception and dinner, sat with our cruising friends and had quite a few laughs. This rendevous is very good and has some good informative sessions. Lots of fun.
For those of you that are interested, we are staying at the Club at Treasure Island for at least two months starting December 1. Treasure Island is close to St. Pete's Beach and Tampa. We anticipate arriving around December 1 and returning home on December 10 for Christmas. I will be driving back after January 1 and Brenda will fly back sometime later in January.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday - October 24, 2010
Today we went played golf with a couple of other Loopers, or should I say, I played golf and Brenda drove a cart. It was a course on the Robert Trent Jones Trail and it was an exceptional course. Great Day. Only problem, I had to join the private club which was the course. This was necessary in order to have a drink both on the course and after our round. The cost of membership was 25 cents. There are ways of getting around the dry county rules.
When we got back it was time to register for the Looper's rendezvous. We registered, bought a couple of shirts and received a whole bag of goodies. Then we went to the reception and introduced ourselves to the group at large by talking a little bit about ourselves, our boat and the trip so far. We were taped for possible inclusion on the website. Before we got up to talk, Brenda said she was not going to say anything - didn't like being taped, but then once she got up there, she took the mike and put her two cents worth in. After that, there were lots of introductions of the sponsors etc.
We then had wine and dinner and a general social time.
When we got back it was time to register for the Looper's rendezvous. We registered, bought a couple of shirts and received a whole bag of goodies. Then we went to the reception and introduced ourselves to the group at large by talking a little bit about ourselves, our boat and the trip so far. We were taped for possible inclusion on the website. Before we got up to talk, Brenda said she was not going to say anything - didn't like being taped, but then once she got up there, she took the mike and put her two cents worth in. After that, there were lots of introductions of the sponsors etc.
We then had wine and dinner and a general social time.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Saturday - October 23, 2010
We closed up the boat at Aqua, left the keys with the service people and drove north to Shiloh. Yes, another Civil War battlefield and spent about 34 hours visiting the interpretation centre and driving around the battlefield. When we left Shiloh we started driving to Savannah, a small town on the Tennessee River that we passed when we were boating down the river. As we were driving down the river, we passed a sign for the Catfish Hotel. We had been told this was an excellent restaurant and institution which specializes in serving catfish. Since we had not had lunch we stopped and both of us had a catfish meal. Brenda has always had an aversion to eating catfish but she decided to try it. Needless to say, it is a very tasty fish.
We continued on to Savannah, and then on to Joe Wheeler Park. Brenda had booked a cabin about 12 miles from the Looper rendezvous. When we arrived to check in, she overheard a conversation with another guest that the cabins were not very good, so when her turn came, she asked if there were any cancellations at the hotel located directly on the marina. Fortunately there was a room that came available and she grabbed it. So now, instead of being 12 miles away from the rendezvous we are right on site. As we were driving in, we saw these two turkeys by the side of the road.
When we arrived and had settled in, we went down to look for a couple of our friends and a big party was going on.
Tomorrow, 4 of us are going to play a round of golf at at course that is part of the Robert Trent Jones Trail - I think it is called Muscle Shoals but I will find out tomorrow when we get there.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Friday - October 22, 2010
lat - 34 47 24 Long 87 40 46; Fuel 113 gal; eng 486.45
Happy Birthday Joe!
We left Florence at around 8:30 with the intention of arriving in Aqua Marina around 1. Again it was cool in the morning but it warmed up to 30 by 11 and it was a again a beautiful cruising day - sunny and warm. It sure is nice her because it gets warm in the day but the nights are cool and nice for sleeping.
As we were cruising along a call came through on Channel 16 from Serendipity sho we had not heard from since we left Green Turtle Bay. We had a good conversation and passed one another as they were heading to Joe Wheeler where we would see them when we drive down tomorrow.
We continue on and did arrive in Aqua around 1. Makes it easy to calculate the arrival time when you are traveling at 9 knt or around 10 miles per hour and you have to go around 45 miles.
We got in and who was helping us tie up to the dock but John Haluska from The Emery El. We last saw him in Penetang and as we were leaving he was waiting for repairs on his boat. He finished the Loop as he is from Tennessee and Aqua is his home port. I asked him if he missed the journey and admitted yes and he was thinking of maybe doing it again. I can see what happens after finishing the trip, you start asking what next?
We went over to the repair shop to get some work done before we continue. As we will soon be going into salt water, I want to get the bottom painted, the hull waxed and the zincs changed. The bottom has not been painted for three years and since stuff grows on the hull a lot more quickly in salt water, I thought it would be prudent to refresh the bottom. I had some good recommendations from a few folks along the way about the marina and its service group. They certainly have a good parts shop and marina store.
The car rental people brought a car to us and Brenda and I went into town to do a little shopping. Tomorrow we head for Shiloh - another Civil War battle site and then over to Joe Wheeler. We can't check in until 4 so we decided to do a little touring.
Happy Birthday Joe!
We left Florence at around 8:30 with the intention of arriving in Aqua Marina around 1. Again it was cool in the morning but it warmed up to 30 by 11 and it was a again a beautiful cruising day - sunny and warm. It sure is nice her because it gets warm in the day but the nights are cool and nice for sleeping.
As we were cruising along a call came through on Channel 16 from Serendipity sho we had not heard from since we left Green Turtle Bay. We had a good conversation and passed one another as they were heading to Joe Wheeler where we would see them when we drive down tomorrow.
We continue on and did arrive in Aqua around 1. Makes it easy to calculate the arrival time when you are traveling at 9 knt or around 10 miles per hour and you have to go around 45 miles.
We got in and who was helping us tie up to the dock but John Haluska from The Emery El. We last saw him in Penetang and as we were leaving he was waiting for repairs on his boat. He finished the Loop as he is from Tennessee and Aqua is his home port. I asked him if he missed the journey and admitted yes and he was thinking of maybe doing it again. I can see what happens after finishing the trip, you start asking what next?
We went over to the repair shop to get some work done before we continue. As we will soon be going into salt water, I want to get the bottom painted, the hull waxed and the zincs changed. The bottom has not been painted for three years and since stuff grows on the hull a lot more quickly in salt water, I thought it would be prudent to refresh the bottom. I had some good recommendations from a few folks along the way about the marina and its service group. They certainly have a good parts shop and marina store.
The car rental people brought a car to us and Brenda and I went into town to do a little shopping. Tomorrow we head for Shiloh - another Civil War battle site and then over to Joe Wheeler. We can't check in until 4 so we decided to do a little touring.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday - October 21, 2010
lat 34 34 54 long 086 33 61; fuel 129 gal; eng 477.39
We left Ditto Marina around 7:30 this morning. It was a cool but clear morning and once we got out on the river there was some fog. At first it was a little scary since it was difficult to see the marker buoys, but slowing down and using radar helped that. As soon as the sun got a little higher the fog disappeared. The trip down the river was quiet until I ran into some guys in a boat who had laid traps across 3/4 of the river. They had their little marker buoys everywhere. It was lucky I woke up quickly enough to see what they were doing. I avoided them all by going to the port and close to the shore and then radioed behind to warn others of the the traps.
We went through 2 locks today and Brenda and I are still perfecting our locking techniques - better than it used to be but still needs work. The last lock we did was an 85 foot drop, but I think going up is far worse than going down. The surge of water when going up really throws the boat around. Going down the boat seems to just stay still.
Got to Florence around 4 and who is yelling at the dock as we pull in but Q's End. They were staying in Florence before they went on to Joe Wheeler. We met with a few people for drinks at 5:30 and met a few new people including a couple from Ottawa. Unfortunately, I did not get their card. Anyways we will all get together at Joe Wheeler.
We left Ditto Marina around 7:30 this morning. It was a cool but clear morning and once we got out on the river there was some fog. At first it was a little scary since it was difficult to see the marker buoys, but slowing down and using radar helped that. As soon as the sun got a little higher the fog disappeared. The trip down the river was quiet until I ran into some guys in a boat who had laid traps across 3/4 of the river. They had their little marker buoys everywhere. It was lucky I woke up quickly enough to see what they were doing. I avoided them all by going to the port and close to the shore and then radioed behind to warn others of the the traps.
We went through 2 locks today and Brenda and I are still perfecting our locking techniques - better than it used to be but still needs work. The last lock we did was an 85 foot drop, but I think going up is far worse than going down. The surge of water when going up really throws the boat around. Going down the boat seems to just stay still.
Got to Florence around 4 and who is yelling at the dock as we pull in but Q's End. They were staying in Florence before they went on to Joe Wheeler. We met with a few people for drinks at 5:30 and met a few new people including a couple from Ottawa. Unfortunately, I did not get their card. Anyways we will all get together at Joe Wheeler.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wednesday - October 20, 2010
lat 045 34 80 long 086 04 76; fuel 142 gallonds, eng 472.30
Left Goose Pond about 9:30 after filling the water tank and washing the boat down. over night all these bugs gathered on the boat and seeming laid eggs in little sacks that stuck to the boat. I had to scrub them off with a brush since they were glued on. Anyway, I did get most of them and before we leave Aqua Marina the boat will be washed thoroughly.
Today we had a nice cruise along the Tennessee River to Ditto Marina. This is one beautiful river from the Ohio down to Chattanooga and I am sure it is even more beautiful as you go further up to Knoxville. Current carries us pretty quickly and we arrived at Ditto around 2:30. There were already a lot of Loopers here waiting to get into Joe Wheeler Park. Today we decided to go directly to Aqua Marina and rent a car to go to the rendevous. We booked a cabin in the park and while it will be more expensive, this works better since we can get back to Aqua in 2 hours whereasby boat could take 10 hours. This allows us to get back to Aqua on Thursday morning, and get ready for our flight home on Friday.
There was a birthday party held after we all docked. The skipper of Gypsea turned 80 years young. Amazing! Of course he has been a sailor all his life and that probably kept him young.
It looks like we will be staying at Treasure Island for the winter. Brenda has found a yacht club that wants Loopers to stay. It is about 1 mile to the beach and about 2 miles from the place we usually go to each winter. More on this when Brenda arranges the details.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tuesday - October 19, 2010
Got up early in order to get a good start to the day. We wanted to travel about 85 miles today as we would have the current with us as we traveled down river. We left at 8 EDT which is 7 CDT as our destination was Goose Pond Marina in CDT. The current as we left was about 1.5 knt, so that the engine could be set to achieve a speed of 8.5 knot and we were going 10 knts. The hills had changed quite a bit from the time we traveled past them on our way up to Chattanooga - more colour in the trees. The trip was uneventful except that we traveled quickly and arrived at Goose Pond Marina at around 3:30. Coming up took us two days to travel from Goose Pond to Chattanooga. We went through one lock and we really traveled for a a while after that lock because of the current.
Our intention was to arrive at Joe Wheeler Park on Thursday for the Looper Rendevous which starts next Sunday. In order to make sure that I could get a space for Thursday to Saturday, I phoned the Park to book a spot. To my surprise< i discovered we had no reservation despite the fact that I had indicated to the AGLCA that I would be arriving by boat. I had expected that by indicating on the registration form that I would be arriving by boat that an automatic slip reservation would be made. Wrong assumption! I paid over $500 to attend and I knew that the marina would cost more but as I say, I expected them to reserve a slip for those committing to attend. Maybe I missed the section that said you have to book a space or maybe my expectations were set by my former work place - when I committed to a conference or a meeting the room was reserved for me. In any case, it is likely we we move on the Aqua Marina, earlier than we thought and rent a car and drive there which is probably about a hundred miles. I hope I run into the organizers of this conference to give thme my thoughts on the organization. Oh well, have to make some phone calls tomorrow to sort this out.
Good thunderstorm in the Marina after we arrived. Could see it coming while we were on the river. Thunderheads building up as we traveled and I hoped we would get into our slip before it hit.
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