Florence to Columbus

The First Mate waves goodbye to McFarland Park where we enjoyed many morning walks while we were staying in Florence.

 

 

 

A reminder that Fall is on the way as we cruise down the Tennessee River.

 

 

 

Linda picked a beautiful anchorage called Ross Landing.  This is a view to the north, looking back at one of the four rockpiles we maneuvered through as we came off the river.

 

 

 

This is the same view the next morning in the fog!  Now where exactly are those rock piles???

 

 

 

 

View through the "living room" window at Ross Landing.

 

 

 

More evidence of the changing seasons...........Canadian geese seemed to be abundant.

 

 

 

 

The First Mate at the helm soon after the Tennessee River meets the borders of Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.  Here, we depart the Tennessee River and continue toward the Gulf Coast via the Tombigbee Waterway.

 

 

 

Did you know that National "Talk Like a Pirate Day" is in September???

 

 

 

At Bay Springs Lake we found "Cotton Springs", a fabulous little cove to drop our anchor for two nights.

 

 

 

 

Our dinghy, "Blondie", brought us ashore so we could see the Visitor's Center at Bay Springs Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A nature trail led us to this log cabin, built in 1860, that was rescued by the Corps of Engineers when the area was flooded for the creation of the lake.  Take note of the doorway height behind Linda!

   

 

 

 

 

 

A wild Indian (from the Filipino tribe!) jumps out in front of Linda as she walks through the woods!

 

 

 

Blondie took us to a nearby park for our traditional sunset "docktails".  That little white dot off in the distance between the two wine glasses is Spiritus.

 

 

 

 

Playing a game of "Chicken" with some Canadian geese as we motor southward on the waterway.  I found out later that day from an avid hunter-friend of mine that there is a federal law against "harrassment of wildlife"! 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of you have asked, "What is a bollard?"  A bollard is what you attach a line to ("rope" for you landlubbers) when you're in a lock chamber.  It keeps your boat stationary while the chamber is either filling or expelling water.

 

 

 

The First Mate indicates "Six Fingers" as we lock through our sixth lock for the day.  That is a record for Spiritus, and an exhausting day for her crew!

 

 

 

Aberdeen wins the prize for "Most Unique Marina".  The marina "office" is actually located in a very active country grocery store, complete with gas pumps, ice cold beer, fried chicken, and a large hound-dog sleeping on the front doorsteps!

 

 

 

Upon arrival in Columbus, Mississippi we enjoyed docktails and a sunset once again with our friends, John & Susan Halechko!  We will "rest" here for a week.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Florence, Alabama

 

We returned to Florence on September 16th and decided to spend the week "relaxing"!  The marina manager liked us so much that we were featured in the marina newsletter.

 

 

 

 

Once again, McFarland Park provided a wonderful setting for our daily, morning walks along the river.  Some of the locals who walk regularly in the park started to recognize and befriend us.  

 

 

 

 

Captain Eddy took advantage of our "down time" to change out the port & starboard engine oil and transmission coolers.  It was definitely out of his comfort zone, but he managed to get the job done. 

 

 

 

 

Quote of the day from the engine room:

"I'm sure glad I went to college and didn't have to do this for a living!"

 

 

 

The First Mate was busy in the laundry room while the Captain was busy in the engine room.  Her attempt to "go green" was accomplished by drying laundry the old fashioned way!

 

 

 

 The Captain's reward for another successful maintenance job.......

chocolate bread pudding sundae!

 

 

 

 



Spiritus will bid a final farewell to her berth at Florence when she continues down river Sunday morning, September 23rd.

 

Bay Hill to Florence

We stopped to visit our friends, Jim & Sue Starke, at Bay Hill Marina after leaving Wheeler.  Their marina entrance had this BIG welcome banner to greet us and other fellow Loopers.

 

 

 

Spiritus enjoyed her FIRST covered slip while at Bay Hill Marina.  It would surely eliminate HOURS of handrail varnishing if she were under cover all the time!

 

 

 

After Bay Hill, we enjoyed another two nights at anchor.  This time we dropped the hook at Second Creek on Wheeler Lake.

 

 

 

The Captain takes us exploring once again in Blondie.

 

 

 

 

We discovered this small public dock about a mile from our anchorage.  We tied up the dinghy and walked through a very pristine state campground.  Each campsite had a magnificent view of the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way back to Spiritus, we thought we saw a treehouse.  Closer inspection showed that some kids (or maybe Tarzan!) had built a platform to help them launch into the lake on a rope swing! 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that the dinghy can be used to asssist with Zumba exercises?

 

 

 

 

Both of us take time out for a little reading on the flybridge.

 

 

 

 

A beautiful morning to start traveling down the Tennessee.  But first, we have to pull up anchor........

 

 

 

.........which can be made more difficult if the anchor is snagged by an underwater tree!  Not to worry; a little bit of manuevering (and prayer!) and Spiritus was free!

 

 

 

 "Normal" people go to Rosie's Cantina in Florence for the topshelf margaritas.  "Others" go for the complimentary ice cream after dinner!

While in Florence, the Captain happily receives the UPS package containing engine parts he ordered.

 

 

 

Getting more "practice" in the engine room.  I really have an appreciation for all those aircraft mechanics I worked with during my flying years! 

 

 

 

A peaceful, easy feeling from the water's edge here in Florence, Alabama!

 

 



 



Pumpkin Hollow to Joe Wheeler Lodge

Spiritus cruises slowly, but being passed by the Good Year blimp is almost embarassing!

 

 

 

 

This is the little cut we went through to get to our anchorage at Pumpkin Hollow.

 

 

 

 

 

Time for a refreshing dip at Pumpkin Hollow.

This could be a great commercial for Cruzan and Diet Coke!

 

 

 

Spiritus is waiting for a train to pass.  This bridge is on the same site as the Memphis & Charleston Railroad bridge, burned by the Union Army in April 1862, to stop a Confederate advance.

 

 

 

We listened to the Auburn - Mississippi State game on the radio while going down the Tennessee River.  Even the enthusiastic bell ringing by the First Mate couldn't help the Tigers that day.  Perhaps it sounded too much like MSU's cow bells!!!

 

 

 

Sharing drinks on the "Mary D" with our friends, the McGills, from Pensacola.  John and Mary were at Joe Wheeler Marina to meet us when we arrived.

 

 

 

 

Spiritus had a ring side seat for the swimming pool.

 

 

 

 

 

Can you understand why we stayed at this resort for 5 nights?

 



 

 

 

 

Every morning we'd hike through the woods and see deer.......

 

LOTS of deer.......

 

some payed attention to you.......

 

and some even enjoyed having their picture taken with you!

 

 

 

After several adult libations at sundown, we did OUR version of the Beatles Abbey Road album ........ you had to be there to understand!

 

 

 

Enjoying an evening with the McGill and Atnip families.

 

 

 

An antique car club helped create some nostalgia.

Do you remember when cars had chrome bumpers.......

 

 

and hood ornaments.......

 

and two-toned paint?!!

 

If so, then you're old enough to recognize this!!!!

 

 

is in the air here at Joe Wheeler Marina!!