Day 130 - 131, October 28 & 29, 2022

 Day 130 Friday October 28, 2022

Guntersville Free Dock MM358 to Ingalls Harbor Dock Decatur, AL MM 303

Daylight drives our start time and the days are getting shorter. We left the dock at 7am traveling with Grand Wazoo, Arion, Phil-N-Wild, and Grand Cru.  

Lockmaster first advised us to be there for 9:30 but when we called just before arrival he told us it would be more like 12:30.  He had 2 tows, both needed to break down to lock through.

 

 We anchored in a cove near the lock (Hambrick Hollow) rafted to Grand Wazoo and got invited for blueberry pancakes! We are so spoiled by Laura.  Jerry keeps saying how he's on the wrong boat - Laura often cooks while they are underway.  Their stove and oven are propane; ours is electric so we would need to run the generator to cook.  Bottom line, breakfast was yummy.  On our boat Jerry had dined on a pop tart....

 

Some of the scenery along the way.

Additional boats arrived at the lock, making us concerned that we wouldn't all fit and have to wait again. Nine boats ended up in the lock together.  We finally made it into the lock at 12:15 and were out at 12:40. Out of the lock we traveled on past towboats White Wing and Robert Shelton.  Both Captains were friendly and helpful.  When we asked to pass White Wing he said yes if we could give him a dirty martini with ice crystals on top we could pass on his port side.  Joe responded the we would pass him on the 2.  He was surprised: "All y'all know 2 whistle!"  Our original plan was to anchor at Joe Wheeler Lock for the night  but our 3 hour wait at Guntersville caused us to change to Decatur.

We had to wait for the railroad bridge just before Ingalls Harbor.  As luck would have it we needed to wait for a train going over it before it could be raised (the center raises like an elevator) for us.  While we waited a tow captain called our flotilla and asked for a recommendation on what type of boat he should buy.  He wanted one that he could restore/update and enjoy with his wife.  "My eight kids aren't getting on it!  I can't wait 'til they have houses of their own so I can kick my shoes off in the middle of the room and spill cereal all over their carpets!"  Eight kids and 35 years old.  Bless him and his wife!!

We were met at the dock by Susan and Danny of Phil-N-Wild.  It was now 5:30 and they had been there for a couple of hours already.  They have a 41 foot Meridian power boat that occasionally needs to go a bit faster than our 7 knots.  We shared the long dock with them, Arion, Grand Wazoo, Ottyssey, and Grand Cru.  Good spot for the end of a 10 1/2 hour day.

 

Day 131 Saturday October 29, 2022

Ingalls Harbor Free Dock MM303 to Florence Harbor Marina Florence Alabama MM256

We awoke to people talking on the dock.  What a surprise when we looked out -- dozens and dozens of fishing boats collecting in the harbor for a fishing tournament!  70 plus boats started launching at 4:45am.  It was actually two tournaments  -- a fundraiser and a high school tournament.   You could feel the excitement as each boat waited for the start.  They were as surprised as we were; our "house boats" caused them to change how they were lined up to start.  Boats were even milling around between our boats.  Our boat discharged water right into a fishing boat at our bow when the heater turned on!

So many boats and running lights. 

  

The sun is coming up and the fishermen are anxious to get going.

 Finally we can leave too.

We set off at 7:10, a little delayed waiting for the fishing boats, but it had been fun watching them.  We made it to Joe Wheeler lock and needed to wait for 2 tows, expecting to get through between noon and 12:30.  It was windy and a bit rough so we headed to the bay at Joe Wheeler State Park to check it out and anchor.  Joe Wheeler park has been the site of the Fall AGLCA Rendezvous in the past and we have actually driven there by car to attend.  It was fun to see it from the water. We actually locked through at 11:40. 

 

From there we headed on to Wilson Lock.  The lockmaster told us to be arrive for 3pm.  Again we waited  for tows.  According to the lockmaster one of the tows had issues with "a line in their wheel".  He requested the other tows help in maneuvering and freeing the line but no success.   He called and told us  it was our "turn to shine"; the tows had not locked through.  We quickly pulled anchor and headed for the lock.  We were in the lock at 2:50 and out at 3:35. 

 We shared the lock with the tow Traci K.

Once in Florence I headed to do laundry while Jerry went with Susan, Arlene and Laura to Publix for groceries.  Big mistake.  Only one washer and the dryer was a disappointment.  I brought wet clothes back to the boat. Quick dinner of Publix fried chicken (recommended by the other shoppers) and then into town for some fun.  

 

Entrance to Florence Marina                        Arion is the center boat

We went to Flobama, a bar with live music.  Lots of customers dressed for Halloween, cheap drinks, and a good band.  From there we went next door to The Boiler Room, located in the basement of a hotel next door.  The Boiler Room is a bar with live entertainment AND BOWLING!  They also had Skeeball, virtual reality games, and shuffleboard. Lots of gutter balls and only 2 strikes out of the 8 bowlers.  Another fun night.

 

Mark, Susan, Danny, Lorie, Joe, Laura, Peg and Jerry

Tomorrow on to Zippy Cove Anchorage and the Tenn-Tom.