Friday, October 11: Cruising Up to Florence, AL

Date:                           October 11, 2013

Day on the Cruise:     161

From:                          Grand Harbor Marina, Iuka, MS
                                       
To:                               Florence Harbor Marina, Florence, AL

Statute Miles:              41.8 SM

Time:                           5.25 Hrs

Cumulative Miles:       4,223.4 SM

On Board:                   Susan, Chuck, Maggie, Trooper, Peanut

Tonight we are at Florence, AL at Florence Harbor Marina. Another new state on our Loop trip, even if it is our "home" state!

Florence is about 40 Miles East of Grand Harbor

We had a lazy morning, as we thought that it was only a 30 mile trip to Florence. I don't know where I got that idea!

We hung out around the boat, refilled the water tank, and picked up some stuff at the ship's store on the dock at Grand Harbor. There were a lot of folks walking the docks and they stopped to talk to us. Everyone is interested that we have a parrot on board, and we showed off both Peanut and Trooper.

We finally got off about 10:30. I checked the charts and notes and found it was more like 40 miles up to Florence. No problem. Today was all about the journey. It was another gorgeous day. We were by ourselves today. The other boats all took off before us. So, it was just a slow ride enjoying Pickwick Lake.

Leaving Yellow Creek and Grand Harbor

We enjoyed the ride, passing the Natchez Trace Bridge and a big TVA Colbert Steam Plant. As we neared Florence and the big Wilson Lock and Dam just up river from the town, the current began to get us again. It slowed us down considerably.

TVA's Colbert Power Plant, a Fossil Fuel Facility

Bluffs Along the River Across from Florence, AL

The O'Neal Bridge at Florence, AL

Entrance to Florence Harbor Marina

We reached the Florence Harbor Marina just before 4:00 and docked at the fuel dock in front of the Restaurant. Sun Gypsy was already at the marina. They had reserved the marina courtesy car, so we all went to Publix and the ABC Store to pick up some provisions. On our outing we toured downtown Florence and the campus of The University of North Alabama. This town is very nice! We also checked out an excellent Mexican Restaurant called Rosie's right downtown in the old section. This is a sister Restaurant to the one we loved to go to in Huntsville, but alas, by the time we got back to the marina it was dark, and we were tired, and we decided to eat at the marina place.

Dinner was just OK. Food was good, but the kitchen was very slow, and it took forever to get our meal. There were many complaints at other tables, which is a shame, because the restaurant seems to be very popular.

Tomorrow we head upriver again about 20 miles to Joe Wheeler State Park at Rogersville, AL.


Thanks for Reading!