October 21, 2017

Here are pictures of some 20 plus loopers in the Wilson Lock.....and the last one in was a guy in a homemade canoe......I don't think Capt Bob could talk me into that trip!

We finished up our Looper Fall Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park in northern Alabama....

About 50 boats were there, along with lots of "planners" by car, like we were last year....(doesn't seem like it was a year ago that we were "just planners").... Now, in order to get back on "the loop" we had to go back down the Wilson Lock.....which is CLOSED for maintenance.  They agreed to take one load down at 4:30 in afternoon, once the workers finished for the day....we all had to be there and ready to load.  20 of us took the Friday slot and one guy laid out the plan as to how we would all fit and who would raft on to who etc.....even though it looks like lots of room in picture....you need to tie to the bollards on the side and there are only 5 on each side....so Ted (our lock leader, who, by the way, we had met earlier in the loop, when we were both in Rogers City!!) had a chart with bigger boats on outside, smaller ones rafted on  (we are in the 2nd row on right side in pic)...we also encountered a couple of boats who weren't with our group, but were happy to follow our plan...(you only get one shot a day)....and then the canoe!  That guy has guts! (or is nuts)   So it all worked as planned and we locked thru without drama, and the lock master took our picture for us!!  They were even impressed with our planning!  This afternoon another group will be leaving Joe Wheeler and heading this way...waiting to see if they are impressive as our group!

We are back in Florence Harbor and plan to stay until Monday.  We are waiting for a part that Bob had delivered here and it will also give us time to separate from "the pack" that came in last eve....Most of the 20 of us also needed to lay up here for the night....so kudos to this harbor for having that all organized and getting us ALL in and secure at dusk.  Staff stayed late and locals helped .....it is a great feeling to know there are nice people all over our country that do what it takes to get a job done.  The people that helped us tie up said they were in the bar, saw ALL these boats coming in and decided to give a hand...  So, of course, we HAD to reciprocate in the bar later.  This is the marina I spent 5 days in while Bob flew back to MI before the rendezvous, so they know me in bar!  Imagine that!

Just before we left for Joe Wheeler, I fell down the stairs into the master stateroom.....my left foot swelled up pretty bad and I have been icing it and wearing an ace bandage....good thing I have ONE pair of shoes that fit over the swollen foot ...(sandals with adjustable straps).  So we are, 1 for Jane and still 3 for Bob (accidents that is)  Someone asked me how I can handle the lines with my foot like that.....I said "well, I don't use my feet to throw or catch the lines...I use my hands"  !!!'  Apparently that wit is not overlooked.....as a "documentary film making crew" that were at Joe Wheeler making a travel film about loopers sought me out for an interview!....they said they thought I was "saucy"...I said you mean "sauced!"???  Then I told them as long as I got to keep my clothes on, I would agree to be part of their film!...(maybe that's where the saucy came in??).   Anyway, it is kind of daunting in front of a camera when they fire questions at you.   But who knows, maybe some day you will see me on the travel channel!!  I felt like I was doing a commercial for Michigan....as one of the questions was "what surprised me the most about looping"....and I answered the LACK of quality harbors like I was "accustomed" to!!!   I had to sign a release, so if this becomes a BIG film deal, I don't think I have any rights to it!    But could lead to a future for me, when I grow up!😁

So by Monday we will be back out on the loop, heading south.  We want to be in Panama City, FL by November 10 or so, as we have airline tickets out of there for Michigan on the 15th.  Baby girl is due on Nov. 18, so hope that goes as planned!!  Then, after Thanksgiving we will return and hopefully get a weather window to cross the gulf and into St. Pete, FL by December 10 or so.  Finally got a reservation in that area for a month and looking forward to seeing old friends and neighbors.