Day 119 Monday, October 17, 2022
Aqua Yacht Iuka Mississippi MM448 to Florence Alabama MM256
NO fog, but cold morning start, with a beautiful sunrise. We traveled with Grand Wazoo and Arion. Phil-N-Wild planned to catch up after they get new batteries installed at the marina. We traveled 6-8knots and enjoyed a sunny day. It was 59 degrees at 10am, but 52 degrees at home!
We try to appreciate the tows when we meet or pass them. I waved as we passed and the captain actually saw me and blew his horn. You can be sure that it made me jump!
We arrived at Florence Harbor Marina at 12:30.
An early enough arrival to get some errands done. the dock master recommended that we check out the Visitor Center only a short walk from the marina. That was a great suggestion -- we learned a lot about the local attractions, where to eat and how to get a free t-shirt! The marina has a courtesy car and we signed up as soon as we arrived, so next we headed for groceries at Publix. Jerry and I even got our flu shots.
We enjoyed docktails with Arion, the Grand Wazoo, La Vida (we saw them last at Green Turtle Bay), Phil-N-Wild, and their company Stephan and Sandy. We were entertained by the local fire department as they did an emergency response exercise on the docks. The firefighters were very considerate, asking several times if we minded that they were there. We told them we appreciated them and the entertainment. The wind was cold and the sun was going down, making docktails very cold. The ladies called it and everyone headed to dinner. We enjoyed BBQ from our last stop in Iuka, Mississippi. Don't worry we will be sure to check out Alabama restaurants.
Day 120 Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Today was filled with sight-seeing. We had the courtesy car for most of the day. Each boat signed it out for a 2 hour time slot. First stop was FAME recording studio, then Muscle Shoals recording studio and then The Alabama Music Hall of Fame, all by 1pm. Phew!!
Rick Hall was the founder of FAME Recording Studio. The studio is still a working studio and has worked with Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Duane Allman, Paul Anka, Otis Redding, the Osmonds and many others. Musicians seek out the studio for its' coveted "muscle shoals" sound. 
Rick Hall's wife.
Checking out the instruments used by legends.
Muscle Shoals Sound Studios was founded by the "Swampers" -- the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, originally working out of the FAME studio.
When Cher recorded her solo album at the studio she titled it using the studio address. Later the studio used the album graphic as the sign for the building.
Many artists have recorded at Muscle Shoals including Rod Stewart, Paul Simon, Cher, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones. Keith Richards wrote "Wild Horses" while sitting on the john. Check out the 2013 documentary "Muscle Shoals".
We collected stickers on our "Backstage Pass" and were able to redeem them for a free t-shirt at the Visitor Center. If we had been able to collect all 5 sticker locations we could have been entered in a drawing for $2500 worth of prizes...
Alabama Music Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame celebrates Alabama natives who have contributed to the music industry including such greats as Lionel Ritchie, Hank Williams, Rick Hall, Jim Nabors, and the band Alabama.
1960 Pontiac convertible owned by Web Pierce. "Golden Country Car" has over 500 silver dollars and 12 silver guns mounted in the car.
We collected our t-shirts at the Visitor Center and chilled until it was time for dinner. We managed to get the courtesy car from 6pm to 10pm so we definitely had enough time for dinner and live entertainment at Swampers' Restaurant in the Marriott. Good music and food and back by 9:30pm, no worries about returning the courtesy car on time.
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