9/23 - New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Again the skies were overcast as we cast off our dock lines at 7 a.m. for our 30 mile trip to Pebble Isle Marina. There was also a slight mist as we got underway, and we broke out our storm gear jackets for the first time since we crossed Lake Michigan on 8/28.

We have really had great weather with temperatures in the low 80s, light winds, and mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies since Chicago, so we have really been fortunate on our travel days. Any rain we have had has occurred over-night or when we have planned to stay in a marina. We continued to experience current against us as we made our way south because the Tennessee flows from south to north and also many of the water levels are manipulated through the dams operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Since there has been substantial rain north of our location for the past several days, we have started to see some debris in the water which has also changed from a light green color to light brown at this point. "Reflection" arrived at the marina at 11 a.m. followed by "Falkor" a short time later. After taking on fuel, we were assisted in tying up at the dock by other "Loopers", some of whom we had met before, and some not.

We had lunch at the dockside restaurant and by 1:15 p.m. we were on our way in the marina courtesy car to the liquor store and to the local "Walmart" in the company of Pookie and Evan from "Pookie II" and Al and Gayle aboard "Falkor". Upon our return we were all invited to a "Happy Hour" on their dock by Ray and Patsy of "PatsyRay".

There we also met up with Rick and Betsy of "Rick 'n Roll", Pia and Jack of "Still Busy" and Dean and Marge of "Still Afloat". That evening all fourteen of us had dinner together at the dockside restaurant. We were treated royally and all of us even shared an enormous dessert. The food was delicious, the servings were huge, and the service was great. We truly experienced southern hospitality at its best tonight, and everyone we have met in Kentucky and Tennessee has gone out of their way to make sure we feel welcome and are well taken care of.