Boat Sparkles but We Feel Rusty

July 16, 2013

Unusually cool weather and low humidity made a near perfect first cruising day.  Mike was up early applying conditioner to the rub rail and washing the deck one last time before leaving so SeaDream had showboat sparkle when finally let go of the dock, hoping to hide our very rusty skills. After a fuel dock stop for dinghy non-ethanol gasoline and a holding tank flush, we let loose again at 11:15 AM for our 40-plus mile trip to Wheeler State Park Marina. What a beautiful day! Mid 70’s, no humidity and a very fresh breeze.

Arrived at 5:30PM and, somewhat “artfully”, docked and tied, only to realize the slip had a hard to see “occupied” sign. So… hoping for a repeat performance, we untied and moved over a slip. All went smoothly and a little of our confidence returned!

Mike called old friends, Fred and Joan Myers, authors of the famous (among river cruisers and loopers) and definitive guidebooks to the Tenn-Tom and Cumberland Rivers, and they came to visit for the evening. They live nearby in Florence, AL. What stories they have of their many years of river adventuring! We all thoroughly enjoyed dinner at the lodge, then visiting aboard until midnight!

It’s so nice here we’ll stay another day! We’ll next meet Fred and Linda at Pickwick on Saturday. 

Tug boat "Jerry McNeil" and 4 barges.

Meow Mix factory. One of the many factories on the river.

RR lift bridge. We had to wait for a long train to pass before it lifted.

Relaxing and enjoying the cruise.