Closing the Loop

 

The scenery along the Tennessee River is never boring, as it seems to always be changing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some folks living along the river like a "low" view . . . . . . 

  

 

. . . . . . and some like a "high" view.

 

 

 

 

 

Seems like everybody just wants to be at the beach!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"On my count guys; ONE ......TWO ......

 

......THREE!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short story:

We found another wonderful anchorage on the Tennessee River behind Swallow Bluff Island.

Just before sunset, I took this picture.  Out of the corner of my eye . . . . . .

 

 

. . . . . on the island beside us, I saw goats!!

 

 

I radioed a fellow Looper, Journey, who was also anchored nearby and told them about the goats.

 

 

A passing tow Captain heard our conversation over the radio and explained to us that years ago, a family lived on the island.

For some reason, the family abandoned their home and apparently left their goats behind.

 

 

The next morning, we awoke to witness a beautiful, peaceful sunrise . . . . .

 

 

 . . . . . and the sight of one of the goats laying on an old fallen tree where he spent the entire night.

I swear the goat kept watching me, continually staring, as if to say, "Please, get me off this island"!

My First Mate glared at me and said, "Don't EVEN think about it!"

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn't look like much, but this is Pittsburg Landing, on the Tennessee River.

Union General U.S. Grant landed his army here in 1862 to fight the Confederate Army at a battlefield that came to be known as Shiloh.

Over 26,000 men gave the ultimate sacrifice during the three days of bloody fighting.

 

 

 

 

An unusual sight at our last anchorage, Pickwick State Park, on the Tennessee River:

 two blue heron "fishing" together!

 

 

 

 

 

The Captain takes a dip to cool off before rowing the First Mate to dinner at Pickwick State Park. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, a brief "lesson" regarding The Great Loop. 

A boat is considered to have completed The Loop when it returns to a point along the route on which said boat has previously traveled and continuation along the route would be redundant. 

For many of us, completing The Loop doesn't necessarily mean that we have arrived home.

 

 

Last year on August 1st, Spiritus started The Great Loop by going from Pensacola,

 UP the Tenn-Tom Waterway and then UP the Tennessee River to Chattanooga.

On September 3, 2012 we departed Chattanooga and retraced our route back to the Gulf Coast.

  

 

The point along The Great Loop route where continued travel would be redundant for Spiritus

is where the Tenn-Tom Waterway meets the Tennessee River: 

Mile 215 of the Tennessee River.

In Looper's venacular, this is called "crossing your wake".

 

 

 

 At exactly 12 noon on Thursday, October 3, 2013, Spiritus crossed her wake at Mile 215!

 

We have now completed America's Great Loop and are considered Gold Loopers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After over 6,600 miles (at 8 mph), 21 states & Canada, almost 200 locks, boatloads of new friends and 15 months of being amazed, Spiritus and her crew will rest a few days at Grand Harbor Marina on Pickwick Lake, Tennessee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Champagne flowed as fellow Loopers (& landlubber friends who surprised us!) help us celebrate the completion of the Great Loop.

 

 

 

 

 

Captain Eddy & First Mate Linda are proud to earn the gold burgee signifying we have completed the Great Loop!

We will always cherish the memories and never forget the wonderful people we met along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

Let's see now . . . . 

. . . . . from Pickwick Lake to Mobile is about 458 miles; add another 50 to Pensacola . . . . . 

maybe we'll be home by November 1st.

Unless we just keep on cruisin' and go around again!!!

 

 

 

 

A big "THANK YOU"
to all of you who have supported our adventure and helped make this the most memorable year of our lives!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kentucky Lake

 

The Captain discovers a SECOND town named after him ... and also spelled correctly!

 

 

 

 

 

Looper trawlers take over the transient dock at Green Turtle Bay Marina, Kentucky.

And where there are Looper trawlers, there are docktails.  We all voted this the "Most Social Year of Our Lives"!

 

 

 

We say goodbye to Green Turtle Bay Marina and excitedly anticipate the next few days of anchorages ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

Our first anchorage on Kentucky Lake is at Duncan Bay, one of many peaceful, serene settings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the anchor is set, Spiritus' crew goes for a refreshing swim.

Can you find The First Mate, doing her synchronized swimming imitation, in the picture below?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ginger Cove is our second anchorage.  After our swim, it's time for a toast to the good life!

 

 

 

 

Watching a spectacular sunset from Spiritus' flybridge, the Captain comments on how his dream came true.

For many years, Eddy flew over the "Land Between the Lakes" & dreamed of cruising our Spiritus on beautiful Kentucky Lake.

 

 

 

Our third anchorage, Harmon Creek, is another perfect stop for the Spiritus crew.

 

 

We never get tired of watching sunsets from Spiritus.  Doesn't God do great work?

 

 

 

 

It's time for Spiritus to fill up her water tanks & get fuel so we stopped at Pebble Isle Marina.

 

 

 

 

It was fun to reunite with some of our Looper friends and share stories of our individual anchorages.

 

 

 

 

 

Adjacent to our marina is the Johnsonville State Historic Park. 

We enjoyed an afternoon hike in the park and treated ourselves to some history!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We followed hiking trails to the upper and lower redoubts. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

We checked out a soldier's hut used during the Civil War.  Nine by nine is not a lot of space for 2 soldiers!

 

 

The Civil War soldiers certainly did not have any of the creature comforts of home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These deer were as surprised to see us as we were to see them!

 

 

 

 

It's amazing how beautiful our anchorages have all been.  Makes us want to stay on the water forever!

 

 



Down the Mississippi

It has been a memorable journey down the Illinois River, but we are excited when we finally join the Mississippi River!

 

 

 

 

The cliffs along the river are stunning as well as huge.

Note how small the 18 wheeler looks on the highway that runs along the riverbank.

 

 

 

 

Soon after the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, we arrived at the historic town of

Alton, Illinois.

 

 

 

 

 

Alton hosted the last debate between Lincoln and Douglas when they ran for the Senate.

Although Douglas eventually won the senatorial election, Lincoln's performance during the debates thrust him into the limelight for the Presidential race in 1861. 

 

 

 

 

 

One of Alton's huge murals depicting her role as a prominent port along the Mississippi River in the 1800's.

 

 

 

 

 

Alton Harbor Hosts, Robert & Patty (far right), took us to Mac's for a wonderful & fun dinner.

On Eddy's left is Mac, the owner himself, who takes good care of visiting Loopers.

 

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A full moon rises behind Spiritus at our slip in the Alton Marina.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike & Cindy (front row, left) are surrounded by Loopers who helped them celebrate the completion of their Loop!

Mike & Cindy are the crew of the 22 foot sailboat, Aurora.

 

 

 

 

 

We wrote & sang a special song for Mike & Cindy on our last night together.

We love them more than bacon . . . . . . and ice cream!

 

 

 

 

 

A short distance down the Mississippi River from Alton is St. Louis, Missouri.

Here's a view of the Gateway Arch that most of you don't get to see!

 

 

 

 

A "must stop" for Loopers on the Mississippi is the infamous Hoppie's.

 

 

 

 

 

Just a half dozen old barges tied together, Hoppie's make-shift dock is the last chance Loopers have to get fuel & water for the next several days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue Owl Restaurant, a short walk from Hoppie's, has won multiple awards.

It has been featured on The Food Network, Travel Channel, Paula Deen and Oprah.

 

 

 

 

 

Most notable is their famous Levee High Carmel Apple Pecan Pie!

Yes, we ate the WHOLE thing!

 

 

 

 

 

An early morning start provided this serene, pre-dawn view of the Mississippi River.

 

 

 

 

 

Later that same day, we enjoyed a colorful sunset at our anchorage, just off the Mississippi.

 

 

 

 

 

The swiftest river we've traveled so far!

Normally, our cruise speed is 8.2 mph.  The current going DOWN the mighty Mississippi has us "speeding" at 12.2 mph!

 

 

 

 

When we left the Mississippi and started UP the Ohio River, the current changed directions and slowed our speed significantly. 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the smaller barges we passed while traveling on the Mississippi & Ohio Rivers.

The barge traffic was overwhelming at times and required extreme patience as we waited our turn at the locks & dams!

 

 

 

 

 

The picturesque Cumberland River takes Spiritus into Kentucky, her 21st state on The Great Loop. 

 

 

 

 

 

Another favorite stop for Loopers is Green Turtle Bay Marina on Kentucky's Cumberland River.

 

 

 

 

 

The best  2-inch thick pork chop the Captain has ever eaten was at Patti's!

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to our First Mate, the town of Benton has its priorities right when it comes to signage!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at Green Turtle Bay Marina, a group of First Mates gather before docktails.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a toast to our wonderful trip down the Mississippi River and up the Ohio & Cumberland Rivers!