Blogs from Mobile, Alabama, United States, North America

Actually, this afternoon we stopped about 15 miles north of Mobile Bay for the night. We're at Big Bayou South Canot. It is a wide channel, clearly marked just off the Mobile River. A fast fishing boat passes every once in a while. We are enjoying snacks on the flybridge with a lovely gentle breeze. I'm thinking we should have packed a fishing pole. Instead, we'll conger up some less interesting grub. Last night we stayed at Lock 1 anchorage and were joined by a sailboat, Visitor and her two mates. They quickly anchored while we struggled to make sure our stern achor held. It is amazing to us that we can be so tired at the end of the day (after not doing much but steering and looking). Rog, for the first time is transferring ... read more

Epilogue December 2010 The Marilsnick had made it; captain and crew were elated. There had been highlights and “lowlights” during our journey. The highlights were the 18-hour crossing of the Gulf of Mexico at night, the crossing of Lake Okeechobee, the endless but beautiful Intracoastal Waterway, my vacation onboard when Skip and Barb ran the boat, the entering of New York Harbor with my siblings, the vacation on land at the cottage of cousin Marianne Duenhoelter and the scenic wild Georgian Bay and Northern Channel, the camaraderie with other Loopers and finally returning to Dog River after having completed the Loop. The “lowlights” were the accident in St. Augustine at the Bridge of Lions and the two groundings. Problems, which I had to overcome were an unexplained weight loss of twenty pounds, which according to my ... read more

Le retour au bateau s’est bien déroulé, même si nous avons dû effectuer un peu de gymnastique pour notre transport. Une location pour nous rendre à Windsor, Ontario et Christine, notre fille, est venue gentiment nous chercher pour nous traverser à Détroit et prendre une autre auto de location pour retourner au Tennessee. It was most enjoyable to spend a night with our daughter and grand children and the next day, early morning off to New Johnsonville. It was a beautiful day for travelling. Everything was fine on Trusty III and the next day was a cleanup day. Nous avons quitté Pebble Isle Marina, le vendredi le 12 par un soleil radieux et des températures presque d’été et apprécié notre première journée de navigation sur la rivière Tennessee. Ce fut de courte durée et l’automne fait ... read more

Wednesday, 24 November, 2010 We thought today would be another busy tow day, but we really only passed one on the river and a few have passed the bayou where we’re anchored. By the way, I’ve been told I need to explain tows. On inland waterways tug boats push barges filled with whatever and all strung together. On the Mississippi they may be 5 barges wide and 7 long, on the Tennessee they’re usually 3 wide and 5 long, but on the Tombigbee it appears they are up to 3 wide, but usually only 3 long, I guess due to the twisty nature of the river, as they are pretty awkward to turn. Anyway, the tugs and the barges together are called a tow, even though the tug pushes the barges not pulls. Is that clear ... read more

Through His Eyes.Saturday, June 19. One of the CS members I asked to host who was unable to because he had a house full of ‘surfers’ wanted to meet when we were both in Mobile. So Saturday Ken stops by, picks me up, and we drive to downtown Mobile. This affords me a great opportunity to look around at the beautiful old historic homes. I almost get whip lash as I stare at one side of the road and then the other. We eat at a Mexican restaurant Ken suggests—fish tacos, ummm, and enjoy terrific conversation. After we head for the bay. He recommends the Museum of Mobile which is featuring a traveling exhibit of the life of George Washington Carver. Ken has seen it numerous times but he generously insists he doesn’t mind seeing it ... read more