Sunday through Tuesday we spent doing odd jobs on Tourist getting ready for the push to Florida.
10/12/11 Wednesday We got up ready to hit the water only to find our old friend fog. After an hour or so it finally lifted and we pulled out of the slip. As we turned to head out of the harbor I noticed activity on the Tumbleweed. We have just missed Floyd & Linda in several places on the last half of the Loop without making connections. A quick discussion about destinations and we were off to Paris Landing State Park Marina. Floyd was one of my classmates back in 2007 at Chapman's School of Seamanship and he and Linda recently completed the Loop.
Conditions were great on Kentucky Lake as we made our way past the Louisville & Nashville RR bridge to nowhere.
Once we arrived at Paris Landing it didn't take long to start cocktail hour and comparing notes about our travels. Before we got too carried away Floyd made jerk chicken on the grill which was great!
10/13/11 Thursday Today we're headed to Pebble Isle Marina for fuel and an overnight. Oh. And it's Linda's birthday. Happy b-day Linda!
10/14/11 Friday The day started with one of the marinas free sweet rolls before we departed. Unfortunately that was the high point of our departure. As I was bending over to pick up our power cord a lightning bolt went through my lower back and I crumpled over in pain. Muscle reduced to mush in an instant. Ice pack & ibuprofen to the rescue. To further complicate things Pam twisted her knee trying to do the departure tasks that were still necessary. Finally we got out of there without further incident.
Once again we were running with Tumbleweed headed to Double Island to anchor for the night. Along the way we had to stop at Cuba Landing Marina to pump out the holding tank since the pump at Pebble Isle wasn't working. What makes this blogworthy is that it is the first time we have ever seen a dock hand wear a face shield while pumping out. Makes you wonder what past experiences he's had?
We continued up the Tennessee to our anchorage enjoying the great weather.
Once anchored Floyd & Linda dropped their dinghy into the water and took a spin around the boats taking pictures before coming over for cocktails.
It was a peaceful night on the hook behind Double Island.
10/15/11 Saturday My back still hurts in spite of the previous nights rum. Oh well. We awoke to fog lifting off the water making it seem like we were in a sci fi movie.
As we pulled out of the anchorage I spotted a towboat downstream preparing to get underway. I guess the fog must have been thick for some time to cause him to pull over. Another pretty day as we travelled past the now familiar sights of the Catfish Hotel and Shiloh Battlefield before we arrived at the Pickwick Lock.
Once through the lock it was a short ride to our anchorage at Pickwick State Park where we could watch the fishermen come and go from the marina and enjoy the natural beauty at the same time. Of course once again we had cocktails with the Tumbleweed crew before dinner.
10/16/11 Sunday No fog today so anchor up at 8:30 and off we go. It had all the makings of a hot day as we started out until....we turned the corner and headed into the wind. It cooled down for awhile after that, but the sun won out eventually and we got the hot day that we glimpsed in the morning.
Today marked new territory for Pam & Me as we cruised past the head of the Tenn-Tom Waterway and on towards Chattanooga. We passed under the Natchez-Trace Parkway and cruised past an ole boy who had the best fishin set up I've ever seen. A recliner with an umbrella on the end of a dock.
Not long after we pulled into Florence, Al. to top off the fuel tank and spend the night. Before turning into the marina we could see the Wilson Dam in the distance. We'll go through the adjacent lock tomorrow.
Once in the slip we watched Tumbleweed come into the fuel dock. This may be our last night with them for this trip and I have to say it's been fun. They're on their way to the Looper Rendezvous and then Huntsville, Al. where Tumbleweed will call Ditto Landing Marina home.
After settling in and getting the barnacles off of us we took a taxi to the Legends Restaurant where we celebrated Linda's birthday again. How do you stretch one day into a month long event? Dinner was very good and the company better. I was even talked into doing my Walter Brennan impersonation.
Great job of catching up...I was able to download these photos so look for them to appear on our blog!!! Hope to see you again soon. L
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