More Old friends, and a few new ones!!

 Monday, Oct 27:

Another overcast day, but not a whole lot of rain (we were hoping for more rain to help raise the water level).  I worked all day and Wes worked on boat projects.  It was an overcast day and we didn't leave the boat.  After dinner, we enjoyed a quiet evening watching some TV then off to bed.

Tuesday, Oct 28:

We both got up and did our respective Bible studies.  In the craziness of looping and working, our weekly studies help to remind me of what is most important!  We are fortunate enough to be able to travel by boat and experience God's beauty in all He's created around us.  We are now seeing the beautiful fall colors, and even though it's been overcast and rainy, there are blessings in that as well.  The rain is so needed as it's been very dry and the rivers are low.  As many know, it is shallow getting in and out of Mermaid Marina, so the rain is welcome!!  The water has already gone up almost 6 inches since we got here.  I worked all day and Wes did some boat projects and computer work.  The fuel truck came today and we took on 678 gallons of diesel fuel.  We enjoyed another quiet night on the boat watching TV after dinner then off to bed.

Wednesday, Oct 29:

We got up and I started working while Wes gathered last minute things to take to the property.  Then he drove to Waverly, did some provisioning, paid taxes, mailed burgees, etc. then the cook at Mermaid came and picked him up.  He got back to the boat around 1300.  We put everything away, then Wes walked up and ordered a pizza for us for a late lunch / early dinner.  We had some pizza then he got the boat ready to travel.  We dropped the lines around 1700 and both said a little prayer to help us get out.  Our prayers were answered and we made it out.  Yes, we hit bottom, but we were able to "chew" our way through.  We only went a little way downriver to Double Island and dropped the hook for the night.  We got there around 1800, got settled, then relaxed a bit before bed.

 

Thursday, Oct 30:

Wes was up early and I got up around 0630.  It was quite chilly, but we pulled the anchor and started south around 0700.  Wes drove from the lower helm most of the morning, so he got to hear my portion of my work calls.  He drove from the flybridge most of the mid-day and afternoon.  We passed Wolf Island around 1300 (our initial planned anchorage), but we got going early enough, Wes decided to keep going.  At our rate, we would get to Pickwick Lock at 1500.  Wes called the lock and they advised we couldn't get through until 1600, so we slowed down.  They were right on time and we locked through.  We were with another looper boat and lets just say they were having a bad day.  It was windy and they struggled to get a line on the bollard.  They managed to get two lines on the pin, but for whatever reason, couldn't hold them and both lines dropped in the water.  They got their lines up and floated the rest of the ride.  Anyway, once we locked through, Wes decided we'd go all the way to Eastport even though we wouldn't arrive until after dark.  I made dinner and we ate while underway.  We arrived at Eastport around 1845.  Dyer and Leigh were on the dock waiting for us, flashlights in hand.  We got secured then went to Dyer and Leigh's boat for some beverages and to catch up,  We had a nice visit and time flew.  Next thing I knew it was 2300 and I needed to get to bed (which we said our goodbyes and went to bed).

 Friday, Oct 31:

We weren't moving very fast but we were both up and moving by 0700.  I started working, Wes did a little computer work.  Dyer stopped by and asked if Wes wanted to go and visit Lee Spry.  Wes did so the two of them went for a nice visit while I worked.  When they got back, Wes filled our water and visited with Dyer and Leigh some.  When I was done working, I went to their boat and joined the three of them.  It was another great night.  Leigh cooked us a delicious dinner and we visited well into the night.  We went back to the boat and went right to bed.

 

Saturday, Nov 1:

It was a little slower morning again, but we were both moving by 0700.  We took our time sitting around relaxing a bit.  We visited a little more with Dyer and Leigh, then shoved off around 1200 and headed toward Aqua.  We arrived around 1415 and got secured.  We helped catch some other's lines as they came in and visited with the many loopers that were there.  We caught up to Wayne and Karen on Our Journey and many others.  We went up to Earl's for dinner and drinks.  It was a very nice time.  It was raining when we walked back to the boat.  The security guy gave us a ride on his golf cart so we wouldn't get too wet.  We made it back to the boat, relaxed a bit then we were in bed around looper midnight. 

 Sunday, Nov 2:

It was Daylight Savings Time, so we both woke up early.  We were both ready by 0615, so we decided to head out. It was a chilly morning.  Wes drove from the lower helm.  There were 7 of us looper boats that all arrived at Whitten lock between 1100 and 1140.  We were going to anchor out in Bay Springs, but when you get to a lock and it's open and waiting for you, it's too hard to pass up.  So rather than temping fate and anchoring, we locked through the 3 locks and arrived at Midway around 1500.  We got secured, then helped some others get secured.  I quick prepped dinner, then we walked over to D dock to visit our Midway friends (Mark, Lou, Rod, Pat, Tom and Cassie).  We had a late dinner then Rod and Pat stopped for a quick visit, then off to bed.