10/7 - Rogersville, Alabama

Joe Wheeler State Park Lodge

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The night brought heavy rain with lots of lightening, but in the morning we were up and working early. By 8:10 a.m. Pat was at the supermarket making ship store purchases (paper goods, pantry supplies, sodas, etc.) so we would not have to deal with it upon our return, and George was finishing his final cleaning of the boat. He has a dedicated set of clothes which have a permanent "bleach smell" for this task.

We then packed up and loaded the car with items we were taking home from the boat. Our 11 hour road trip tomorrow will begin at 6 a.m. and we will visit with George's sister, Pat, and our brother- in-law, Al in Richmond, VA. On Friday morning we will continue our trip home to Seawood Harbor and look forward to seeing our family and friends before we return to Alabama on 10/23 for our American Great Loop Cruisers Association Rendezvous and for our journey down the Tombigbee Waterway to Florida! Our mileage since 6/6/09 is 2,390 miles and 89 locks!

10/6 - Rogersville, Alabama

Our first order of business today was to say "Goodbye" to Al and Gayle as they untied their lines at 7:30 a.m. After good wishes for a safe trip, hugs, and waves to them as they left the marina, we returned to "Reflection" to begin the work of cleaning her from top to bottom and making her ready for us to leave for NJ on Thursday morning.

After working hard all morning, we slowed our pace in the afternoon as another weather-front started to make its way across us with rain showers. We organized our books and charts to take home, wrote substantial "To Do" lists for both here and NJ, and had phone calls with our siblings to try to organize our trip home. After a chicken dinner, Pat got to watch one of her favorite shows, "Dancing with the Stars". George was so thrilled he fell asleep.

10/5 - Rogersville, Alabama

While Pat did the wash at a Laundromat in town, George worked in the lobby of the lodge at catching up our blog with pictures and videos because we did not have a good WIFI connection at our slip. The blog has been a time-consuming, but rewarding, activity for both of us between the writing, editing, and photo insertions. It is a great way, however, for us to preserve our memory of this adventure, and to share it with our family and friends.

It was an overcast day with rain predicted for overnight, and Al and Gayle invited us to share a "Bon Voyage" dinner with them aboard "Falkor" this evening. They will be moving farther up the Tennessee River tomorrow morning, while we remain here at Joe Wheeler. The Italian dinner was fabulous with pasta and Bolognese sauce, salad, and home made rolls followed by Devil's Food cake with chocolate chunks. Gayle is a great cook and baker!

The Binningtons also shared their pictures of "Parfait", their canal boat, on various trips they had taken in France with her. We shared a toast of champagne to celebrate the time we have traveled together (3 weeks), and had a completely lovely evening with this terrific couple with whom we truly hope we have the pleasure of motoring again!

10/4 - Rogersville, Alabama

U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL

These are the 5 rocket engines that powered the Saturn V moon rocket. They were developed and tested in Huntsville, Al. They are attached to a full size model of the space vehicle, it is so large that I could not get a picture of it.

The actual Apollo XIV space capsule
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The final tourist destination we wanted to visit in this area was the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. This facility displayed one of the world's largest collections of space and rocket hardware, the Saturn V moon rocket, a full-scale space shuttle and other inter-active exhibits, simulators, and an IMAX movie theater.

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the Redstone Arsenal are adjacent to this location, and it was very easy to see how the important work done here at Huntsville both in testing and building has influenced and continues to influence our U.S. Space and Defense programs. We can only wonder at what future projects are housed in the mountains of Huntsville!

All of us truly enjoyed the day, and we returned to the boats in a steady, chilly rain. Because we hadn't been able to connect to WIFI at the boat slip, Pat spent some time checking emails on our computer in the lodge's lobby. Among our messages we were delighted to receive word that our friends, Caryl and Ray aboard "Houlegan" were making rapid progress south to their home in Gulfport, Mississippi. We have been following their journey and look forward to seeing them at the "Looper" Rendezvous on 10/25.

Each day that we have been here one or two more boats from our association have taken slip space in this marina. We understand that all 58 transient slips will be filled for this event with 15 boats on a waiting list. Other boats have plans to either raft up or anchor out across from Joe Wheeler Park Marina, and many people will also travel by car and stay at the lodge or in the various guest cottages on the grounds. After Pat returned to the boat, we spent a cozy evening aboard watching football and movies on T.V. along with enjoying a delicious pork chop dinner.

10/3 - Rogersville, Alabama

If you look closely you can see the sketch of a dove on the wall of the Huntsville Depot drawn by a Civil War soldier.

Huntsville Depot Museum
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Our destination this morning was the Huntsville Depot and Museum. It included a collection of railroad cars, a multi-media presentation about railroad history, and a vintage fire-truck exhibit.

The highlight for us was the personal tour we were given by the very knowledgeable and interesting docent. He was very well-informed about Civil War history and particularly on the details of this building which was captured by Union forces in 1862 and then served as a military prison. We also got to see the actual graffiti which was scratched into the walls by Confederate and Union soldiers.

After several hours here we then headed to Harrison Brothers Hardware Store in downtown Huntsville. This store was established in 1879, but has operated at its current location since 1897. It was an old-fashioned hardware store with a collection of vintage tools and house wares sold alongside modern gift items and gourmet foods.

We then had lunch at "Sam and Greg's", a nearby pizza restaurant. Upon returning to our boats, we saw that an outdoor wedding would shortly be starting on a terrace overlooking the docks. Both Gayle and Pat went up to their respective fly-bridges to observe the proceedings, while George and Al headed below to accomplish various boat projects. We then spent a quiet evening watching T.V. and eating munchies for dinner, since we had a substantial amount of pizza for lunch.

10/2 - Rogersville, Alabama

George rented us a car from Enterprise for the next three weeks this morning, and by 1 p.m. we were on our way with Al and Gayle to the "Unclaimed Baggage Center" in Scottsboro, Alabama. Their merchandise consists of unclaimed cargo and the contents of unclaimed cargo, and we had been told by a number of sources that there were great bargains to be had here.

We did find a few things at great prices, but we would not go out of way to shop here again. On the way back we stopped at the Super Walmart in Athens for some light groceries and Rotella T oil for the boat. After dropping our purchases aboard, we followed up with dinner at the local Chinese buffet restaurant right here in Rogersville.

10/1 - Rogersville, Alabama

Our major task for today was to install a new toilet pump in our aft head. When this installation didn't completely accomplish what we wanted, we had the messy job of taking out hoses and examining and cleaning them. Finally, after several hours, George removed the "Y" valve and discovered that it also was partially closed. This certainly was part of the problem with the clogging situation, so he set it to an open position and we now had the powerful flushing action we were looking for. What a joy it is to work on the "head".

In the afternoon we continued cleaning the inside and outside of the boat, and then made preparations for our evening meal, as we had invited Gayle and Al to have dinner aboard with us. Our menu included shrimp cocktail, filet mignon wrapped with bacon, twice-baked potato, and Caesar salad. Gayle also brought a delicious mandarin orange cake which she had baked for our dessert. We really enjoyed the meal and the company of these boating friends and slip neighbors.

9/30 - Rogersville, Alabama

Lights from 187 boats sitting in the predawn darkness, waiting for the start of the American Bass Anglers National Invitational Tournament

Dawn breaks before the start of the Tournament

. . . and there off

Our friends aboard "Falkor" a 36 foot trawler enter the Wilson Lock.

The doors close behind us.

Looking ahead at the front doors holding back Wilson Lake

This is the outflow area for the next lock (Joe Wheeler). Millions upon millions of gallons of water are drained from the lock so we may enter for our lift.
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Our morning began EARLY! Pat started getting up and looking out the boat windows at 3:30 a.m. to see what was going on with the boat launching. 187 bass boats were being launched in three waves, and things were really moving along by 5 a.m. SUVs or pick-up trucks were quickly backing trailers with bass boats into the water in record speed. By 5:20 a.m. we were dressed in our warmest clothes and with portable chairs and our cameras in hand we walked to the adjacent park to get a prime spot for the kick-off of the tournament.

When we got to our location we were delighted to make the acquaintance of Jim Bevis, a Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Board Member, who went out of his way to make us comfortable and welcome at this event. He then introduced us to Mayor Bobby Irons and his wife, who also were delighted that we were visiting their city. Mind you, all these conversations were taking place in the dark and prior to dawn. We cannot say enough about the true warmth of these hospitable people.

The formal ceremony began at 6:30 a.m. with a parade of flags representing the United States, Alabama, and various branches of the military being walked in accompanied by the song, "God Bless the U.S.A.". Following this moving song (which brought tears to many eyes), the "Star Spangled Banner" was played and sung.

Picture 187 boats with fisherman standing at attention holding hats or helmets (80% of the participants are retired or active military personnel). Then the president of the organization addressed the group, going over rules and return times. However, because of the "sea smoke" condition again this morning, he would not call the start until he felt conditions were safe.

Finally at 7:23 a.m. he called the very organized start which was called by number. This organization does not play games! Boats were stopped if they did not have proper running lights, etc., and he was the one who released each and every boat. Were we impressed!

We eventually walked back to our boat and called the lock-tender at Wilson Lock about three miles above our marina. He told us not to get to the lock until about 10:30 a.m., since he had a big tug with barge coming through south-bound. Our timing was great, and by the time we arrived, we only had a short wait while the barge passed us and we entered the lock for our 93 foot lift.

That went very smoothly and we traveled 15 more miles to Joe Wheeler Lock, but when we called this lock-tender at 12:45 p.m. he told us that he would not be able to let us enter until 3:30 p.m.! "Falkor" managed to tie off to the wall at the old side of the lock, and we were able to raft up to her.

We remained tied up like this for several hours until a southbound tug with a number of barges passed through, and we were finally notified that we could enter for our 48 foot lift. Luckily, Joe Wheeler State Park Marina was only about 3 miles past the lock, and we entered our slip where "Reflection" will stay for the next month by 4:30 p.m. Our assigned location in front of the lodge was absolutely beautiful, and we were truly happy to be here.

9/30 The Wilson Lock

The Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River is the highest single lift lock east of the Rocky Mountains - 93 feet.

The Wilson Lock - the lift begins

Top of the Lock

9/29 - Florence, Alabama

Early morning at the Rock Piles - Anchorage

Indians along the Tennessee River (We are getting far from the beaten track)

At 7:30 a.m. we pulled up anchor amid fog which hovered low over the water. If this were the Atlantic Ocean, this would have been called "sea smoke." This is a phenomenon caused by the warm temperatures of the water (80 degrees) and the cold air temperatures (50 degrees).

Within a half hour the visibility cleared, and we were surprised to see a considerable amount of bass boats out on the water, considering that this was a week-day. The current continued against us at 1-2 mph on our 26 mile trip to Florence Harbor Marina where we pulled in at 11:30 a.m.

The dock-mistress was very friendly and informative and she even took a picture of us standing near our boat's transom so that our boat name and home port could be displayed in her marina newsletter.

We found out also that the reason so many bass boats were out on the river was that Florence was hosting a major American Bass Anglers fishing tournament starting tomorrow and lasting three days. Many boats were expected to participate and they would be vying for the 1st prize of a new boat with motor and trailer and $50,000 with a total of $375,000.00 in prize money. We also learned that our marina was going to be "Ground Zero" tomorrow morning, because it would be the launching site starting at 3:30 a.m. for all the participating boats before their anticipated start at 6:30 a.m. This would certainly make for an interesting morning!

Al and Gayle were looking forward to having old boating friends meet them this evening for cocktails and dinner. They were kind enough to invite us to also join them for the festivities! Their friends, Jim and Sue, who own "Eagle I" from Mentor, Ohio brought along Joe and Joyce (whom we had seen briefly at Grand Harbor) aboard "Takitez II" from Goderich, Ontario. All of us had either completed or were in the process of doing "The Loop".

After cocktails and munchies aboard "Falkor" we went to "Ricatoni's" Italian restaurant to share a great meal and a fun evening! Upon our return, we also phoned Pat's brother, Father Tony (an avid bass fisherman), to tell him about the fishing tournament we had stumbled upon.

9/28 - Rock Piles/Ross Branch - Anchorage on the Tennessee River

Rock Piles/Ross Branch - Anchorage

Since we only had a 14 mile trip to our planned anchorage, we took our time getting started and left our slip at 10 a.m. It was a beautiful trip upriver with the wind blowing from the northeast behind us at 10-20 mph.

Rock Piles was so named because of three large rock formations which flank the opening into the anchorage. Once we were anchored, "Reflection" and "Falkor" began to swing in various directions instead of heading into the wind. This was caused because of the wind swirls in this bowl-shaped cove surrounded by high trees. Despite this effect, it was a beautiful spot that proved to be a safe and serene location for both of us.

9/27 - Counce, Tennessee

We awoke to a beautiful, sunny morning without a cloud in the sky. After a special "week-end" breakfast, George drove Pat and Gayle in the marina's courtesy van to the Pickwick Market in the nearby town of Pickwick Dam.

Though the market was relatively small in size, we were pleasantly surprised about the variety of merchandise they had available. Besides groceries and fresh meat, you could also purchase DVDs, clothes, hardware, toys, and even fresh Rose's Lime Juice (you can always tell by the light green, not brown color) for gimlets.

This was sort of a miniature Walmart with a more interesting atmosphere! Later we were invited aboard "Falkor" for "Happy Hour" and we were also joined by Lois and Mike from "Al di La", a large power boat from Memphis which is a slip holder here at Grand Harbor. We had another fun evening after a quiet, restful day.