Mike and Brenda on "Velsignet"

It was an ideal day to cross the vast Mobile Bay.   With  mostly sunny skies and little wind, the water was almost glassy.   Being  Sunday; we worshipped on board by listening intently to Christian CDs.   We arrived at The Wharf marina at Orange Beach, AL by 1 p.m. (Velsignet will remain at The Wharf until January 1, 2020 while we spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with family and friends in Denver, Seattle and Minnesota).    This evening, we’ve plans to reunite and dine Italian with Dave and Penny (MV “Southern Cross”).   We are “velsignet!” As we departed the industrial downtown area of Mobile, AL this morning and entered the Bay, the pelicans and dolphins were reminders that we were out of the river systems and back in salt water.   While on the Loop, we ventured into new territory each day and enjoyed the challenges that the unfamiliar brought with it.   However, we find ourselves also basking in the familiar and applauding our r...

The Methodist Church Bazaar was buzzing with activity. Besides lunch being served and for “take out,” a silent auction, baked goods and housewares were on display for sale.    We (Mike and Brenda, Mark of SV “Orion” and Deb of MV “Saltaire”) were invited to join Demopolis natives Chuck and Billie Marie (whom Mike and Brenda had met last Christmas) at their table for a noon meal and lively conversation. We were warmly welcomed as Billie and Chuck introduced us to several friends who stopped by the table (Billie seems to know and be loved by EVERYONE and, as Chuck confided in Mike, "Billie Marie is at the top of the social ladder!").   As we each got to know one another better,   Billie Marie shared that she is confident that she can help (in her very Southern way) Mark (who is single) find a woman…”just let me know what you’re looking for—how old you want her to be and how much money she needs to have!”   Our laughter continued as Billie (now the center of atte...

An exchange of text messages took place this morning between Brenda and Petti   (MV “Rumbo:"     Loopers   Petti and John are partners in Great Northern Distilling out of Plover, WI; John   mixes specialty cocktails from Great Northern’s smooth liquors—the “RuMbo” is a favorite and holds precious meaning to the memory of Petti’s son): Petti:   “Up bright and early!   You must feel a bit better this morning than yesterday (the four of us had celebrated our reunion 2 nights ago; we’d first met John and Petti in DeTour Village in the Upper Pensinsula of Michigan).”   Brenda: “Yes!   Loved last night!   Can celebrate again tonight if we have the energy…1. We are now gold loopers; 2. Today is our 43 rd anniversary (11-6); and 3. Our daughter (Jordan) turns 40 tomorrow (11-7)….it’s a hat trick!” Petti:   “You crack me up!   And what are you pulling out of that hat tomorrow?” Brenda:   “There’s always so...

A call over the VHF hailed us:   “The boat with the blue hull…..would you mind giving us a pull?”   Velsignet inched its way out of the narrow channel leading to its intended anchorage and back in the Tennessee River to help the nearby run-aground sailboat.   The short of it is this:   Newlyweds Ivy and Rudy (both teachers) are “restarting” their lives in their 32-foot sailboat (SV “Sidecar”) with their labradoodle “Jasper.” Hailing from Bayfield, WI, they are bound for a rest from stressful jobs, soul-refreshing adventure and new perspectives in the warmth and sunshine of the Bahamas.   We feel fortunate that providence brought the four of us together (a longer story for another time) because Ivy and Rudy are a delightful young couple! We continue to cruise south on the Tennessee River and tonight we will anchor out near Clifton, TN.   Despite the frost warnings at night and morning fog (when at anchor, our generator lets us keep the boat cozy-warm; ...