Ahoy, maties! The last 2 weeks have been spent traveling down the Tenn-Tombigbee Waterway through Mississippi and Alabama. The river was scenic, but uneventful…except for the logs that we had to constantly be aware of floating along the way. Our travel buddies, Tim and Patti, had an unfortunate run in with a big submerged tree trunk and it’s now their turn to get new props. There were still barges to maneuver around and we never knew what might be coming at us around every bend. Since the barges are usually the size of a football field, we were always prepared to turn on a dime and head for cover to let them pass.
The most sentimental moment on the river was cruising under the same highway bridge we drove over when we headed out to Florida 8 months ago to move onto the boat. It was actually 8 months to the day! We remember looking at the water while we drove on the bridge and couldn’t imagine that we would one day be looking up from the boat at that same spot. The journey seemed unattainable at the time. But here we are…over 5000 miles later…and we haven’t killed each other yet!!!
We had beautiful anchorages along the way. We were in the boonies with no cell coverage or TV signal, and no other boats around. I would like to say it was peaceful, but it seemed every anchorage had either cows mooing or coyotes howling during the nigh! As soon as we passed through our very last lock in Alabama, we spotted 5 VERY large alligators. So our days of going in the water were over until we get to the ocean. I had a sit down with Gypsea and told her that this would NOT be the time to decide to test the water. If she was going in, we would not be going in after her! She agreed and stayed inside the cabin most of the time.
In Demopolis, AL we had a costume party at the marina. Derek and I dressed up as red and green navigation buoys! Halloween is great fun when you don’t have to drive home and can just stumble to your boat on the dock.
We finally got back to saltwater again 2 days ago when we came through Mobile Bay. A school of dolphins greeted us and swam along our boat in our wake. Pelicans and sea gulls have replaced the eagles, hawks, and ducks. It’s very strange to have been in narrow waterways ever since leaving Lake Michigan and then the water suddenly opens up to a huge expanse. We’ve been at The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach for a few days to get more provisions and clean the boat from all the billions of bugs that hitched a ride along the river.
We had to say goodbye to Edouard and Sabine in Orange Beach. They are flying to see their new grandson in California, then to France for the holidays. By the time they get back to their boat, we will be heading to Ft. Lauderdale. Our time together, since Georgia, has been an absolute treat. The trip would not have been as fun had we not met them. Our next big vacation will find us reunited in Cannes, France with our Frenchie friends!
After going through 2 countries and 16 states, we will be back in Florida again tomorrow. It is starting to hit us that we are almost done with our adventure. This trip has changed us both so much for the better and we have no regrets (and no money!!!!). We will stay along the Florida panhandle till we get to Carrabelle, FL. Then we may do a 21-hour crossing over the gulf to Tarpon Springs. I’m trying to get my head wrapped around crossing the ocean at night with no land in sight. I need all our prayer warriors to ask for travel mercies during that time next week! We missed the travel window this week to make the run with a full moon to guide us. We are now waiting for another high-pressure system over the Gulf with low waves and a few buddy-boats to travel with along the way. We may decide to take a slighty different route but who knows! The weather is in control of these decisions.
We miss you all so much. I’ll toast all of you when my butt is planted on the beach with a icy drink in my hand!