Wednesday October 29th

Here is a couple of pics of the 'Grand Canyon' that we went thru--bit of a misnomer--but fun to see anyway.

We left Panama City Tuesday morning--heading across East Lake--into Wetappo Creek, stopping at White City overnite at a free dock at their park.  Not much of a 'City'--one little 'redneck' general store that sold everything from t shirts to chicken feed, but great people.  On from there into Searcy Creek--into Lake Wimico, both of these fresh water--but not so pretty --brown as tea!  Next into Apalachicola River and finally arrived at Apalachicola on the Gulf--back into salt water, alligators and lots of dolphins.  Apalachicola is a really neat fishing town--big oyster festival to be held here this weekend.  Watched the shrimp boats heading out this afternoon--already had one good feed of fresh shrimp.  Went uptown for dinner this evening--Neil was up for a snack of oysters.  These last 2 pictures are about the only really interesting thing we saw on the 'creeks'.  Didnt even see other boats--just some fishermen.  Weather is still staying great although we had a shower this afternoon--the first rain we have had in over 2 weeks--and the next few days are to be good again. Blessings!!!

We crossed back into Eastern Time again, but no sence in changing our clocks, as we 'fall back' an hour in the next couple of days!!  Still heading east--next stop Carrabelle .   the loopy loopers

Monday October 27th

Arrived yesterday in Panama City--in Florida's panhandle.  We have been blessed with perfect weather--sunny, very little wind and warm.   From Mobile we cruised thru Big Lagoon, then Santa Rosa Sound, into Choctawhatchee Bay, then thru the Grand Canyon,(bet you didnt know we were heading there!!!) finally into West Lake and arrived at Panama City   All this was through in land waters called the gulf intercoastal.   Huge long sand dune barrier islands protect us from the gulf and make cruising so nice.

Here we beached the boats right up on the sand and then threw out a back anchor.  We walked over the dunes and watched the waves coming in.

Doing what I love to do!!!---but should have had on my bathing suit.   Miles of beautiful beach and not a sole in sight--but it is only acc

Believe it or not--this is one of the best pictures of the dolphins who have accompanied us along the way---You need to be real lucky to get a pic of them coming out of the water--but we have enjoyed watching them.

essable by boat.

I spoke of the Grand Canyon--this is a 30 mile cut to hook up between two big bodies of water.   Rather neat going thru it---I guess I have not downloaded those pictures yet--maybe next blog.

Along for the ride!!!

So thats it for now--sorry this blog is so mixed up--hope you can read it Ok.    The loopy loopers

Monday October 20th

After 2189 miles, 4 lakes,13 rivers, 30 locks, 1 province,  8 states--we have arrived!!!     Mobile, Alabama. ---but not with out incident --ran out of gas today in Mobike Bay.    Thankfully we had signed up for Boat Tow US--they brought us 10 gals of gas and we were underway---we had only 10 more miles to go  to reach the marina.  We have seen and experienced so many things--big locks(see pic of the way we had to tie up when locking thru), many tug with 1 to 15 barges going and coming, big waves and glassy water, LOTS of blue herons, lots of white herons/egrets, both salt water and fresh water pelicans, one alligator,  houses on stilts, mansions and shacks, fog, rain, and many days of sunshine  We've visited many marinas, and lots of nites in bays and rivers at anchor--this is the view early

this morning from the Alabama River Cut.   Meeting fellow 'loopers' from all over,  some just about to complete the loop, some just starting out, has been special. This is what they call a floating bollard, which raises and lowers as the water goes up and down.  First views of Mobile

This ends the 'rivers' section of the loop.  We are looking forward to this next part, cruising east along Florida's panhandle.   We should have some wonderful pictures to share. 

Friday October 17th

We are now in Demopolis Alabama--having travelled thru 10 locks , with 2 more to go, dropping a total of 341ft over a distance of 450 miles.  Tomorrow we head into the Tombigbee/Black Warrior river which will eventually meet up with the Alabama river and finally into Mobile Bay---and that means salt water and tides!!  The big rains that we had has created flooding on the river and lots floatsum.  Most of the river and canal was pretty boring  --just muddy water, trees and the river bank.  Saw only 2 other cruisers and 2 tugs, but we turned one corner and there were beautiful white cliffs.

  The next time we have Internet service will be in Mobile in 3 or 4 days, so after we visit the Geek Squad I will do another post

you sure can see from the top picture just how muddy the wster is.  Needless to say we are not going for a swim!

tuesday October 14th

Still doing well inspite of torrential rains  computer is down so using tablet to update   yesterday came thru 3 locks on the TennTom waterway slowly heading south  Sun is to shine for a few days so that will be nice   When we are able to get the computer fixed will update

Friday October 10th

Had two wonderful days cruising up the Tennessee River---kind of confusing as we are going south but 'up' the river.   Yesterday was sunny and calm--the water just like glass--you almost hated to disturb it!!   It's interesting to see the houses along the banks up 20 ft in the air on 'stilts'--hard to believe the water can get that high--but they all tell us it does.

We stopped for a swim  every day as it has been quite warm---sometimes just beaching the front of the boat on the sand

We have found wonderful anchorages to stop overnight--well protected and all by ourselves

This one was called Marsh Creek--fishermen came around us in the morning to fish for catfish.  Yummy--catfish nuggets--so good!!  At noon today we came through Pickwick Lock and Dam, then said goodbye to the Tennessee river and turned south west into the Yellow river, which will take us into the Tenn-Tom waterway-- a man made canal built from 1972 -1985.  This mammoth undertaking moved more earth than was moved in the construction of the Panama Canal--and is relatively unknown to the general US population.  This waterway was cut through the backbone of land here to a depth of as much as 175'--covering a distance of 253 miles--so the next few days should be interesting, as I think we have to go through 10 locks!!  --with varying landscape.  

Here it is--the first mates job is never done!!  cooking, cleaning, laundry--and scrubbing the outside too!!!   Its a tough life!!!         Oh--and finally ;Happy Thanksgiving to our friends and family at home--we are missing you all.

Tuesday October 07th

As of today we've cruised down 96 miles of Kentucky lake---would have loved more time to explore the many bays and inlets.   You could easily  spend 2 months on this lake and Barkley Lake.  A little geography lesson---the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers start in the east and run north/west and dump into the Ohio river.---at one point they run pretty well parallel  to each other--in 1946 they damned the two rivers, to make the 2 lakes.   If we had continued down Barkley -the Cumberland-we could have gone to Nashville--and beyond.  If we continue down Kentucky -Tennessee river- and don't turn into the Tem-Tom waterway, we could go to Chattanooga[and beyond] , so  you really could spend a lot of time in these waters.   We had fairly stiff winds the last 2 days so the lake was a bit rough--but not too bad that we couldn't enjoy the scenery--high hills and lovely cliffs--one reminded us of PEI-- red cliffs.

We are now in another marina---mostly because there is some talk about T-storms again.  Would love to anchor out--but glad we didnt--once again these marinas go above and beyond!!   tonight they had free appetizers on the deck--cat fish nuggets, hush puppies,  fried chicken chunks, deep fried  mushrooms,pickles and jalopenia peppers, a big veggie tray, and homemade oatmeal raisin cookies!!!  You could byob, or favorite beverage--or you could buy beer/wine from them.   Tomorrow morning its cinnamon buns and coffee--all free.  The cost for docking overnight--$1.00 a ft.  One of the cheapest we've been at!!  The last picture shows this marina --now do you understand when we say we are the 'little guys!!! [for those of you who do not know our boat--we are the little one with the blue tops--brother Ralph is just behind us]

Sunday October 5th

Still at the Turtle Bay Marina!!  Took a week off---did some road trips with the courtesy van, swam in the pool--bikes rides to town.----but we must head out soon--enough of this lazing around!! This marina goes above and beyond--the decorations at their main gate are impressive--I counted over 100 potted mums--and there are a way more pumpkins!!  

Its called turtle bay marina for the turtles that live around the boats in the bay- 100's of them---and are fed by one and all--they really like bread or crackers--anything soft.   As soon as they see someone on the dock they coming swimming right over

We are definitely the smallest boats here!!  Most of them are monsters---but the folks are friendly.  The marina held a BBQ for the 'loopers' on Thurs evening--it was fun to meet and greet fellow boaters.

Will be heading down Kentucky Lake and then into the Tennessee.  Weather is not looking very good for the next week so we may not get far.