So we are at Dog River Marina...safe and sound! With lots of other crazy Loopers. We picked up a cheap rental car today and did the mass laundry mat run today. Cleaning and boat maintaince will follow. We plan to pick up a one way rental car and head back to Kansas first thing Tuesday morning. Dog River will pull the boat and apply a fresh coat of bottom paint, install a new crew air conditioner and a few other repairs...yes, like new seal on the fly bridge steering column!...while we are home for the holidays.

Another great adventure on the Tenn-Tombigbee Waterway. We are looking forward to Florida, new canvas, new carpet...Key West...Bahamas...and boating adventures 2014!!!!

Another cold day on the water as we headed to David Lake...really just a little bump out in the river...shallow and now we are encountering tidal currents. THE SECOND NOELLE joins us again. It is cold and windy...but we dinghy Dakota over a mile back into the river and down quite a ways to the boat ramp, parking area so he can do his business. We make one more run at dark...thinking that it'll be dang cold at 6AM when we make that morning run to shore. Alas, it was not to be. Dakota had the routine down...life jackets, long johns, gloves and ear cover...but at 42 degrees, the motor on the dinghy would not start.

Anchor up....we head to Mobile with one miserable dog aboard. Bless his heart...he didn't complain...even when the trip took two hours longer than we thought(12 miles of bay area, not four)...and Mobile Bay was rough! He was a green dog, with yellow eyes! Looking at us like we were totally crazy!

I must admit we didn't mess around getting the boat secure...he was off the boat two steps...and "katie bar the door",  he let loose. I hope that is the worse he has to endure. We have met a couple today who gave us tips on how to get him to use "pads" on board...we just haven't had any luck with that so far. Hopefully, their tips will help.

 

From to Demopolis to Mobile is a long, ditch of zigzagging river and water way...216 miles...at 7.5 mph that takes a while....we had a plan! Demopolis to Bashi Creek to Old Lock one cut off to David Lake and then to Mobile. We left Demopolis at 6AM...made the first lock down with a boat named THE SECOND NOELLE...Dakota was okay...and we used the dinghy to get to a boat ramp and small parking area at Bashi Creek. Passed several working tows...and even a couple of pleasure crafts headed north.

After another long day, we began to notice that when we used the fly bridge steering, there was a leak of fluid from under the steering wheel. Luckily, it was cold enough that we've been using the lower helm anyway. But this could get serious...loss of steering fluid eventually means loss of steering! Not good when you are headed into a busy bay area like Mobile. We'll guard that situation...

 At Lock one cut off, we encountered another boat...with a yellow lab aboard. "Honey" quickly became Dakota's playmate...though she swam to shore to "do it".  Since we had to dinghy our dog, we became the official sitters...hmmmm, how'd that happen???? We decided it wasn't so bad...as they were headed north to Demopolis...we can handle one day.

 

 

 

Somehow those two managed to get in the mud!!!! We have a little shower nozzle on the swim platform...so Dakota got rinsed off before coming aboard...but the dinghy didn't fair so well!





Then about 5ish, here came THE SECOND NOELLE...they went ashore for a little fire and cook out. We enjoyed chatting with them...and Dakota got to see FIRE on our night trip ashore! Made that trip and our early morning run without HONEY...lucky us! Though Dakota was sad to leave.

oh GAS!!! and the prices we pay!!! At Aberdeen, the marina is also a convenience store...they sell gas on one side to cars...and on the back side to boats...same price!!!! but those of you who own boats know that you almost always pay more for marine fuel. Try buying 140 gallons at 95 cents more than what is the current car gas price!...that'll make you take notice !....and, no you can't borrow my credit card to do that!

We love the critters we see in the air, on the land, and in the water. This trip we have had the great treat of not once, not twice, but three time seeing deer swimming across the water...right in front of us!!! Once, while talking on the phone and driving, I thought I might run over some! Kelli got the excitement of that occasion. Thank goodness for instant camera action...I can move fast when I need to.....

Backwoods....back water....any way you look at it...from Columbus to Demopolis to Mobile...it is the black hole of internet communication. We've been several nights without cell phone or internet coverage. Sometimes during the day, we'll have a moment or two of bars...so make your phone calls then!
And can we talk about temperatures! We are moving south...where it should be warmer...but no! It just keeps getting colder and colder. Smoke (or fog) on the water in the mornings is sure pretty...but it often makes it a chilly ride to get Dakota to shore...or we have to delay starting out...cause you can't see a freaking thing!

 

This was our view at Bashi Creek...first of four anchorages out of Demopolis. 47 degrees at 6AM...it is a shock to the system....thank goodness we had coffee!!!

Our anchoring experiences with a dog aboard have been interesting. We have had to make selections based on the ability to take the dog to shore to "do it".  Our first real test came at the TomBigee Oxbow...small little creek area with a boat ramp and lighted parking area...first trip in went really well. Then on the way back to the boat, disaster struck! Dakota fell in...Luckily he was wearing his life jacket and I had hold of his leash...but in and under he went!!! Came up bewildered...and, of course, dripping wet...so now we have a drippy wet dog on board! I thought we'd never get him ashore that evening... but ...nature calls and he knew that was the answer. Oh, my!

Somewhere between Aqua Harbor and Midway, we talked to a boat named FIELD TRIP.  Then when we pulled into Midway Marina, there they were. Traveling with four other boats, we dubbed them the Flotilla of Five....great folks and lots of fun...they showed up again at Columbus and Pirates Cove...when we anchored at the Tom Bigbee Ox Bow, they were just a little behind us...and arrived at Demopolis. We thought it was a hoot listening to them chatter back and forth with each other...but really! We like the peace and quiet...and we really didn't need someone pointing out every Great Blue Heron! No matter how you play it...it is still driving in a ditch...they were staying in Demopolis for a couple of days...we moved on!

One is always facing challenges when traveling by boat....we've dealt with transmission issues, engine issues...but this week was a catastrophe of mammoth portions.... I broke the carafe to our under the cabinet coffee maker! It is an older working model...and as we discovered, you can't just buy a new carafe. After several trips to WalMart...and several missteps...we finally broke down and just bought a new cheap coffee pot. Caffeine on these cold, o'dark thirty starts was a major necessity!!!!...Since I was in the mood, I also bought a Shark Pet Friendly dust buster....what a deal!!! the other vacuum is a just a hassle to get out and use...this seems to be perfect...may need one at home too! I think we can find a replacement carafe...they'll just now deliver to this moving vessel!!!

Let me back up and talk just a little about the fun we had at the Biltmore! Muriel (Floyd's sister) and Maxine (my mom) flew into Nashville on Sunday Oct 20. We dropped Dakota off at Athens Bark Avenue Pet Resort and headed to pick them up. Right on schedule....amazing!!! Then drove 5 hours to Ashville...Laughed, caught up on Wichita and Fredonia happenings...checked into the hotel.  Then Monday morning we went to THE BILTMORE. The weather was perfect...but where in the world did all these people come from???? Monday was suppose to be a slow day...but I think someone forgot to tell the barbarians!!!! They were everywhere...which made for a slow and often hard to see tour of the big house. That afternoon and again on Tuesday we enjoyed smaller private tours that included areas not seen by the general public. Much nicer!!! We ate in two of their upscale restaurants..shopped for souvenirs and enjoyed ice cream on the patio! Amazingly Muriel found folks from Midland that knew people she knew! Small world!

Wednesday morning we took the Blue Ridge Parkway and headed back to the boat in Rogersville. We stopped along the way and picked up darling Dakota. Thursday morning Muriel and Mom helped us with some laundry and grocery shopping before heading back to Kansas.  Though we felt a little guilty turning them lose on the highways, we were delighted to have them take the car back to Kansas! Friday we headed toward Mobile.....

Today is bright and clear....and we awoke to the sounds of engines as boats were leaving. Six ...then three more...looks a little empty around here. But I imagine it'll fill up again. There is yet another wave of loopers headed this way. They went to Chattanooga while we went to the Biltmore...and then we headed out before they came back. So somewhere behind us....but soon to catch up!

We are playing with projects today. Floyd is bound and determined to raise the height of this folding bar stool he wants to use at the lower helm. It is currently 24" and it needs to be 30".... A trip to Lowe's for stuff...and he is happily sawing away. We also got a small piece of carpet that will snap into place where Dakota hops aboard. Hopefully that will help his fiberglass skid....he often has wet feet...not a good combination for leaping onto the boat. I'm playing with my new shark pet friendly dust buster. That vacuum is in a " you have to really want it out" kind of place. This is so much easier...and this non-shedding dog brings lots aboard that needs sweeping up!

We are also celebrating Dakota's one year adoption. Yes, this time last year we drove to Harrisonville, Missouri....spent all of 30 minutes falling in love...and brought him to his new forever home. He weighed all of 7 pounds....and was full of wiggles from the start! Now he weighs 27 boney furry pounds...and still just wiggles with delight. He tries so hard to keep track of everyone that it is really hard for him to nap much. We think he has adapted well to having a small home that is forever moving. He's now the activities director on the TUMBLEWEED! Cause everyone needs a title! Alarm clock, walk supervisor, chief playmate would all work...so Activities Director it is! One thing for sure, he knows that yellow life jacket means something is gonna happen...and he gets right to his "spot" on the fly bridge...and stays there watching us "work".... Treats and pats work until he is given the okay and the life jacket comes off. Then he is free to move about the boat!

Saturday we plan a short cruise to Pirate's Cove Marina... A character place just outside of Aliceville...then we'll have to anchor out on Sunday before getting into Demopolis on Monday.

This Tenn-Tom waterway is pretty in the fall....but it is driving in a ditch no matter how you look at it! Locks can provide entertainment...but these are all the same! Never see or really talk to people...just a few radio instructions and they are always the same. On Monday , one lock had a  barking dog as a greeter....surprised us...and Dakota! Dakota let him know we weren't interested in his stuff...we were ever so proud! Especially that Dakota did not leave his spot! Such a good dog!

Wonder of wonders yesterday...as we navigated the muck...ears wiggled!! A small fawn swam across the canal right by us!! We are adding that to our list of critters!

Happy Halloween! After stops at Bay Springs, Mid way, and Aberdeen, we are now at Columbus, Mississippi....rains are coming. Everyone is holding tight til they pass. There are over a dozen Looper boats here waiting. The marina ordered in BBQ for everyone last night...excellent! They have a great laundry facility, a curtesy car and a wal mart close by! Boaters paradise. Dakota has a great field to run....though I must say he is plum tuckered out! In his efforts to keep track of us all...he has missed a few naps! Truly, we couldn't ask him to behave better. He's got a "spot" to be on the fly bridge...and once we put his life jacket on he goes there....and stays. He stays on the boat...no leaping  off when folks walk by. Barking is not really an issue...he gives us warning when strange sounds arouse him, but settles right back. The trip from Demolopis to Mobile will be a test...there are no marinas in that long stretch...and very few dog friendly anchor possibilities. Last time through we did it in three days...this time with plans for dog stops, we think it'll be four days. Weather permitting. And then there are all these other loopers to contend with....it'll be interesting that's for sure!  For now, we must wait in Columbus until November 2... The end of hurricane season...our boat insurance won't let us go any further south. Which is a trip...since last time same company let us go to Demolopis ....we ae hopeful that most of these folks will head out Friday and we'll be glad to be a day behind!

Oh, two new engines are running fine! A full set of new house batteries....anchor straightened...new anchor chain...the fresh sealer...all have made TUMBLEWEED sea worthy. We think she is looking and running about the best she has in a while. Curtis Stokes (boat broker) and his wife Jill came aboard during the looper rendezvous and made several suggestions for upgrades. They sure thought she was in great shape. Interesting to note that Floyd and I have never really liked the carpet covered walls...but really didn't know what to do about them. Curtis suggested we tear off the carpet and cover the walls with formica! Well, who knew????  Something we hope to do in the Captain's quarters this winter.

Saturday we cruised to Iuka, Mississippi...Aqua Harbor Marina, a lovely place we visited in 2009 while waiting for Hurricane Ike to blow out. It is much more pleasant this time. We've met several looper wanna-bees....and Dakota is making friends right and left...left and right. A couple on a big boat that passed us this morning are here...taking photos of Dakota, our boat name, etc....seems they once lived in Wichita and are messaging their Kansas friends about us. Tonight we re-visited Freddy T's Restaurant and Beach Club....not as special as we remembered...but then we are older, wiser,  married, and not escaping the rain and winds that came with Ike....

Let me also say that today we traveled 5 hours....drove the entire time from below...and I wore 3 layers of clothing...including cuddle duds, gloves and ear protection....ready for the predicted warming trend to kick in...thank you very much!

It is a terrible feeling to be locked out of your blog!!! So tonight I got serious about figuring it out! As you can see...it worked!

We had a lovely cruise on Friday from Joe Wheeler to Florence. 21 miles and 2 locks...going down is so much easier. Though Dakota didn't care much for the noisy floating bollard in that second lock. Especially since we went down 80 feet....but arrived in Florence and he found a new playmate, Andrea or maybe his name was Armon....and we found the LADY J...Alan Jackson's former restored boat....and it new owner has started a restaurant in Florence. That meant a trip to Dale's Steakhouse! WOW! We were picked up at the marina by the chef (Eddie)...and what a great meal we had. Totally delightful experience.

Oct 17

It's another Looper Rendezvous ! Since this is our third one, we sure know how it works. The experience is a little different with a dog on board...and then add a day of rain. Can't say that we've attended many lecture sessions, but we have re-connected with Larry and Cindy as well as made nice with lots of folks who are also headed south. At past events, we were known as those crazy Kansas folks. This time around, we are Dakota's parents. This time tomorrow we'll be watching the flotilla exit...some headed to Chattanooga ....and we'll begin preparing to be asphalt tourists. Mom and Muriel arrive in Nashville noonish on Sunday....another chapter!

Oct 9

My how time flies! Poof, here we are back aboard the TUMBLEWEED. Somehow we managed to spend two years at Ditto Landing...two new engines and a new polish job....we are getting ready to head out to Joe Wheeler for the fall Looper  Rendezvous...Oct 14-17. They will probably all head south but we have other plans. My mom and Floyd's sister are going to join us for some fun at the Biltmore....Dakota, the wonder dog, is going to enjoy a stay at Bark Avenue. We probably won't head south til after  the 25th. Plans are for us to be in Mobile on Nov 6. We'll leave the boat at Dog River Marina over the holidays for bottom paint, new crew air conditioner, and a few other repairs. 2014 plans include boating to Key West and Bahamas....new canvas and salon carpet....and who knows what else. He has convinced me to do the loop again....though I've encouraged him to include some guys to go through the ugly parts....I'll stay home....or maybe not?? Stay tuned to see how this works out! For now, we are re-organizing , training and playing with the dog! He's pretty cute and well behaved! Floyd, too!!

Best of plans....change. We went the other direction. Took a seven hour ride back to Jones Creek to anchor out for the night. Testing the dog and our house batteries. In spite of hourly attempts to get him to use "turf" and potty pads...Dakota, the wonder dog, went over 22 hours without any action! We took a dinghy ride to shore bright and early Sunday morning for relief. We knew he had to go...and oh, boy, did he! House batteries didn't fair much better. We ended up running the generator in the middle of the night. Captain says new batteries before fall rendezvous time! All in all, it was a very pleasant night on the hook. Temps in the 60s...Rain clouds moved in mid-morning...so when there was a break in the action, we anchored up and headed to Guntersville Marina. It was a very windy and somewhat rainy four hour ride....but we liked it! Dakota loves it here....dog walk area and pet friendly. We are a little disappointed....stopped here to try the restaurant ....which is closed on Sundays.....such is life! Monday we will head back to Ditto Landing.

Life is good...running water has returned! New kitchen faucet righted that situation. Chores keeo getting checked off the list. Dakota is adjusting quite nicely! He experienced his first dinghy ride today....hopped right in and didn't seem to mind the whole life jacket experience. His first TUMBLEWEED ride also happened this afternoon...after a moment or two of  anxiousness, he settled in and tried to find a spot....but with Norm, our mechanic, and his nephew Mason aboard...spots were few and far between. Cuddled up to mommy seemed the best option....that is until she needed to work the lines and fenders....but again, we have no complaints. He has traveled well and adjusted just fine ....we are learning lots. Like travel with ALL his papers...spent a major part of my day tracking down a trifexcus pill (seems we forgot to bring them...and without paperwork would have been a major expense). He is learning a few things as well...like...don't dig up ant hills! What an experience that was...for all of us! We are planning a little trip down to Joe Wheeler on Wednesday or Thursday ...anchoring out will force us to use the indoor potty routine...we'll see how that works. And no one has been in the water yet...heat keeps up and we'll all be swimming soon! Oh, I really need some photos...I'll work on that! Stay tuned!

WOW! To say it has been a busy year would be quite the understatement! So much has happened it is hard to know where to begin! I suppose I should start by saying I've spent too much time on Facebook and obviously neglected the blog! I'll give you the short version...and then promise to do better!

November gave us a new four legged roommate....Dakota, the wonder dog.....December holidays and the birth of my first grandson, Ryne Maxmillion.....January arrived with a vengeance and took Floyd's best friend Gene away from us forever....February took my dad to finally be at rest (Alzheimer's is an awful awful disease)... We got married the second of March and left on our 25 day honeymoon April 5....spent a delightful, interesting and relaxing time cruising the Atlantic and then touring Italy. We were home almost four weeks before heading back to Huntsville, Alabama, and our lovely TUMBLEWEED.

Our purpose here this time is to acclimate the almost 9 month old puppy to boating life....and break in the new starboard engine. Dakota is doing great! He traveled well and settled right in to wearing a life jacket. He seems more than hesitant to do the wooden steps inside the boat so has managed to take over the salon area. He loves the freedom of running the big hill outside our dock which could prove interesting once we return to the condo. We continue to do something new each day...still on the list at this point is actual cruising and, the all important, swim lesson!

We've been here since Wednesday afternoon....takes a bunch of work to get this open and ready to live aboard. Our cabinets were empty...water system winterized....so major grocery shopping and clean up required, made more interesting with a puppy on board. We still have no running water ...kitchen faucet is to be replaced this morning which should solve that issue. But, as you well know, that could NOT be the case...I'm sure other  issues will arrive to keep us on the alert.

At this point, we have plenty to do through the weekend...Monday we cruise a while with Norm, our favorite mechanic, aboard. From there we'll do a couple of day trips, etc...got to put 20+ hours on this engine. Plans now are to be headed home June 19. Stay tuned to see how that works for us. Like I said, I'll try to do better at blogging....that Facebook is addictive!