Heading out of Wheeler

 2023 Fall Rendezvous Photo!

Well here we are, well before sunrise, prepping to pull out and lock through Wheeler lock with 11 other boats.

 

 After getting through a call to Wilson lock amounted to knowing we would have a good wait, so we just idled the 14 miles and floated the last 3 😆

Unfortunately the delay at Wilson was long enough that the second flotilla caught up with us, adding 8 more for a total of 20. If that's not a big enough group, we had 10 bass boats wanting a ride down as well.

Now we sure thought we had a full lock, however the lockmaster took a couple pics from above as we went down... not as full as we felt.

After all that fun, many pulled into Florence, but 5 of us pushed on. We got into the Rock Pile anchorage just as dark was setting in real good. Sat morning I put the dinghy down and got some nice shots of our raft! 

We were the anchor boat so we were last to pull out, around 0900. Headed for Pickwick State Park for our fall fill-up. 368 gallons later we were off to lock down at Pickwick. Had to stand, the fuel at $4.50/gallon left me unable to sit comfortably!

The Perch snapped our picture on the way.

It was nice to have the chamber to ourselves after yesterday!

We pulled in to Wolf island anchorage, as we just didn't have time to make Swallow Bluff Island. We can still make it back in one day with an early start.

Out on the river by 0600

Delivery boat

Arriva upbound!

Bandit upbound... but where is the Snowman???

At Last II upbound.

Current Plan upbound :)

We got in to Cuba Landing about 1500, got the mast down and settled in the slip. Now off to pack for the trip to Florida with Seaz The Day. I will link the daily Facebook posts in the next entry :)

Welcome to Joe Wheeler!

Friday was a short hour cruise from the mouth of the Elk River over to Joe Wheeler State Park. We will be posting from here all week, attending the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous and visiting with other loopers! 

It finally warmed up enough for a dinghy ride to explore the harbor.

Boats are starting to fill in, the next 2 days will busy with arrivals!

Toscana got an endcap! :)

 

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Sat was filled with helping new arrivals to their slips, lounging around with a couple beers, and game night with 3 other crews in the lodge. Some LRC dice and a great game of cards. Tomorrow we have to prep for the tailgate kickoff party!

Sunday new arrivals started to get more interesting, as things got tighter. We really do take over this marina! The kickoff party was a big hit! Unfortunately it left us with headaches Monday morning. 😅😂

The rest of the Rendezvous kept us busy, connecting with old friends, and making new ones! Here are some wonderful drone images taken by another member.

The Perch, and Light & Salty left Thurs evening, only to be trapped in the Wheeler lock for about 6 hours. A repair team got 1 door functional about 9pm for their escape. We are set to lead a flotilla out at daybreak and are hoping the repairs are complete and we can get headed for home.

What happened to fall?

Sunday was a late leave from Eastport Marina to Florence harbor. Weather was beautifhl and sunny. The 1st class passenger was busy doing 1st class passenger things :)

Pickwick lake has beautiful rock cliffs here and there, and in the fall obviously the trees are just wonderful to look at.

We got settled in to Florence, staged for a 0600 lock-age at Wilson Lock. Getting some laundry done and dinner aboard! Life is good! 😊

Monday saw us up well before the butt crack of dawn to make the Wilson Lock recreational window of 0600-0630. 

We got through, and across Wilson Lake to Wheeler Lock by 10am. Tva was working on their transmission lines across the river by helicopter. Pictures don't do justice to it.

We had drizzle rain and cold. The forecast called for more cold and rain through most of the afternoon, so we ducked into Joe Wheeler State Park for the night.

We were greeted and had help getting tied up from none other than AGLCA's director Kim Russo! Talk about a celebrity welcome! :)

We were only 1 of 3 loop boats there, and offered to host docktails on the heated flybridge. Consistent with our luck, we lost power at the dock. We could sit on inverter, but nor run electric heat. So I broke out the spare propane and our deck heater. Docktails were provided by propane, and propane accessories! Hank Hill would be proud! 😅🤣😂 Kim was alone, and so was the other loop boat so we shared beef stew for dinner as well!

Tuesday morning was certainly chilly, however it turned into a beautiful day, and a beautiful cruise to Ditto Landing. Decauter, AL has a huge working river port... nice to see, there aren't all that many left.

Several flocks of all types of feathered friends on taking a break on their way south for the winter.

Railroad lift bridge had to make room for us.

We spent Tue night and all day Wed at Ditto Landing, just outside of Huntsville. AL. Very nice folks, and with 100 gallons of diesel we got a free night. 

Passing Bell's Bluff between Ditto Landing and Decatur, AL.

Towboat Crown Star upbound.

Approaching Decatur, AL

Passed a looper heading to Chattanooga

Nuclear power plant near Decatur, AL

We tied up in Elk River at a private dock belonging to a couple we met at the 2021 Rendezvous.