Goal!

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 something for which to be grateful, right?”

Petti:  “Always!”

Yesterday, November 5^th, Velsignet “crossed its wake” and officially completed “America’s Great Loop.”  

Having left Pickwick Landing State Park Marina, we stopped at Grand Harbor Marina (located on Pickwick Lake where the Tenn-Tom Waterway meets the Tennessee River)  for fuel and a pump-out before continuing south to descend the Tenn-Tom.   From Grand Harbor, Iuka TN to Fort Myers FL we are in familiar waters and hold memories.  From Grand Harbor, we remember the excitement of getting on the Tennessee River.  At Grand Harbor, we met Loopers Kathy and Steve (MV “Red Pearl”) and became fast forever friends with them.   Near Grand Harbor at Aqua Yachts Marina, we reunited with Brenda’s Memphis cousins Cheryl and Barbara.  

Taking our time on Grand Harbor’s fuel dock reflecting on memories, we met a couple who were new to their boat and would be starting “The Loop” in a couple of weeks.  Their enthusiasm was palpable and as they talked about their plans, we were reminded of our own excitement and satisfaction for  this adventure.

We stayed at the Pickwick Landing State Park near the Pickwick Lock and Dam a couple of nights ago.  The temperature was mild and, although daylight was darkening, Brenda got off the boat for a walk around the park grounds.  Besides a nice marina, the park offers motel accommodations with a nice restaurant and boat ramp.

This photo is of the Pickwick Lock and Dam from the Pickwick Landing State Park Inn and Restaurant.  There's a nearby paper mill that becomes only evident to the visiting boater when the wind is just right....the smell is offensive and during the middle of the night woke several boater to check where the sewer-smell came from.

It was a race against sunset to get into the Pickwick Landing State Park before dark.  

We recognized these two--Petti and John--as several boats rafted to one another in the Pickwick Lock.  We hadn't seen each other since a dinner out at DeTour Village on the upper peninsula of Michigan.   We got together at the marina and again at our anchorage last evening (a calm beautiful starry night to row a dinghy to neighboring Velsignet). 

Because the temps were mild last night, we awoke without fog on the water this morning.  We took our cups of coffee out on the deck and watched the sun spread over the tree lines and listened to the birds call to one another.

The Jamie Whitten Lock, first lock (out of the 4-5 we'll go through today), descended us 84 feet.  This photo is from the aft of Velsignet looking at the back gate. 
Since Chicago, we have enjoyed locking through with several other pleasure boats (PCs--pleasure craft--as the commercial captains call us).   

This is Velsignet in the Jamie Whitten Lock chambered, lowered and ready for gates to let us back into the waterway.

Mike keeps watch to make sure the chamber walls don't touch the boat and are adequately protected by the fenders he has places along its port side.

Cruising down the Tenn-Tom:  Sunshine, around 70-degrees, beautiful fall scenery with a company of boats around us.  It's a good day!

If you're located near Wisconsin, it's worth a drive into the state to purchase Great Northern Distilling spirits.

The Tenn-Tom Waterway consists of locks, carved out channels and flooded plains.  Rock lines the channels to protect and preserve its banks.