Ditto!

As we listen to the radio and television reports of the weather east of us, we're grateful that we've not seen snow and that temps have remained above freezing during the daytime (the nights have been colder, but a warm down comforter keeps us toasty!).  The skies continue to be cloudy, gray, and produce moisture; sometimes a rain, other times a "Seattle spit" (some moisture coming down, but not enough to warrant an umbrella).  Gloomy!

Not gloomy and rather exciting was the process for cruising about 50 miles down the Tennessee River from Goose Pond Marina near Scottsboro, AL, through the Guntersville Lock to spend the night at the Huntsville Madison County Marina (also called Ditto Landing).  The river is high (because of the rain?), making it even more important to watch for drifting logs or trees.  The river currant is also fast (very fast at the Guntersville Lock and Dam--the Dam gates were wide open!).  This afternoon when we got to where we'd planned to anchor out for the evening, because of the height and current of the river, we decided it a safer option to seek out the nearest marina and dock at Ditto.

Tomorrow we plan to continue down the Tennessee towards Joe Wheeler State Park where we will pick up our mail and spend the night.  After that, onto Florence!

We left Goose Pond Marina around 9 a.m.  Here, Mike's untying Velsignet from the dock.  Because the marina has "winterized" its docks (draining water spigots, etc.), we will have to move to another dock to put on water before we leave.

This shows the office at Goose Pond Marina.  This morning, while cloudy and wet, the water is calm.  On Saturday evening between the hours of 8 and 11 p.m., even in this well-protected marina, the wind and waves rocked Velsignet such that more fenders and ties were secured (the marina lost electricity for a time as well).

We add water to Velsignet's water tanks using this filtration system.  We have also installed an under-the-sink purification system in the kitchen.  This is all to ensure consistently good-tasting water.  It works great!

This is what our bridge looked like as we left Goose Pond.  On the table is breakfast--a bowl of orange slices, coffee, water, and a plate of turkey/egg/broccoli/cheese wraps.  The "white stuff" on the bench to the right is a roll of polyfill; this is what we got from our upholsterer Mirella to wrap our cushions.  We've still got a couple more to do!  The dark "thing" near the left front is a blanket Brenda got from the Stow family (Jordan, Jared and kids) for her birthday; it was specifically given to keep "mom" warm on days like this! 

We're docking to supply the boat with more water.

A gloomy day.

While Brenda captains the boat from the flybridge, Mike is working on PSMW "stuff" near her.

By noon, the moisture became rain.  Here we're at the Guntersville Lock and Dam (in the lock).  Both of us appreciated our long underwear, gloves and rain jackets with hoods today!