Thursday, October 17: The Last Day of the Rendezvous

Date:                           October 17, 2013

Day on the Cruise:     167

From:                          Joe Wheeler State Park Marina
                                       
To:                               Joe Wheeler State Park Marina

Statute Miles:              0.0 SM

Time:                           0.0 Hrs

Cumulative Miles:       4,244.9 SM

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

We are at Joe Wheeler State Park Marina in Rogersville, AL.

No rain today, but cloudy and very cool, especially in the afternoon. Jeans and a pullover all day!

Today is the final day of the Rendezvous. Seminars were on the St. Johns River and an excellent presentation by some folks from Chattanooga on all that you can do in that town.

We have been vacillating on our itinerary for the next week and a half. We have to leave the boat somewhere to attend our nephew's wedding in Valdosta, GA on October 26. We also want to cruise to Chattanooga to experience the town by water and see the Fall Colors along the River. We do not have enough time to go to Chattanooga and get back before the 26th.

After going through the Chattanooga seminar today, we have decided to stay here at Joe Wheeler until Sunday when we will leave for Chattanooga. We have reservations to leave the boat at a marina North of Chattanooga starting next Wednesday. We will get a car and go home, then to Valdosta, then back home and to the boat in Chattanooga on Monday, October 28. We will then cruise to downtown Chattanooga on Tuesday and stay for a couple of nights right downtown. We head back down the Tennessee to Mobile starting on Thursday, October 31! Happy Halloween! Logistics is a nightmare on this one, believe me! The down side of all of this is that we will not be able to keep in sync with our friends who are cruising both up to Chattanooga and down river. Maybe we can catch them "down the river".

Tonight was the finale with a wine bar and snacks on the Veranda (Brrrr)  sponsored by Saunders Marine in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and a great meal of prime rib. The food has been very good here, unlike last year when it was just so-so. Our group of boats that formed the "Flotilla" from Chicago to Green Turtle Bay sat together and we got pictures made and talked about the trip. "Always Five O'Clock" and "Reunion" are staying here along with us until Sunday. They are then heading down river toward Mobile. "Perfect Day" is leaving tomorrow to head to a marina in Iuka, MS where they will leave their boat and return to San Diego for three months. It is sad to see everyone splitting up, but we will surely see the other boats again sometime in Florida. We hope to maybe make the Gulf crossing with Reunion in early December.

"Always Five O' Clock" in Front of the Docktail Area

Looper Boats Docked in Front of the Docktail Area

Looper Boats in Front of the Docktail Area

Looper Boats in Front of the Lodge

Looper Boats on Our Dock this Evening

There were awards tonight and Canadian Loopers were recognized which I though was very neat. Everyone sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and the Canada National Anthem. The "Star Spangled Banner" was lead by the oldest Looper in attendance, 90 year old Hank. Hank is traveling with his daughter and son - in - law on "Journey". They were in our Flotilla for two days on the Illinois River coming out of Chicago.

A Group of Canadian Loopers

Hank is amazing. He is from Chattanooga and served in WW II, The Korean War, and The Vietnam War as a Marine. (Hello Richard Davis! Semper Fi!) He also flew as a crew member on LBJ's Helicopter, "Marine One". It is very rewarding to see Hank enjoy himself on the Loop. He really had a good time at this Rendezvous and all the attendees very very nice to him. Thanks Hank for being here and for your service to our Country!

Hank Leads the National Anthem

After dinner, as we learned last year, there is a tradition of several people playing dulcimers and guitars and those that want to join, singing river songs. We missed this session last year when we left early. Tonight we joined the group. One of the dulcimers was Jan from "Adagio" with whom we were stranded in Kingston, NY this summer while the Erie Canal was closed. She wrote several songs and did them on her dulcimer along with the other players. She just does a great job! Thanks Jan!

The Musicians

Jan from "Adagio" on her Dulcimer. Great Sound!

Another special player was Jim from "Sea Fever". He is a fantastic key board player and his renditions of "Rocky Top" and "Amazing Grace" were unbelievable. Last night he took the stage on keyboard at the country music concert in Rogersville and just blew everyone away. He was the highlight of the concert last night, and we loved his music tonight. Great job Jan and Jim! Thank you!

After the singing and playing tonight it was way past Looper midnight. We were invited to "Reunion" for a drink with the "Flotilla". "Reunion" is on our dock, thankfully, so it was just a short stumble down the dock in the wee hours of the morning in the fog to get on "Blue Moon" and hit the rack. No trouble sleeping tonight!

Tomorrow we will stay here at Joe Wheeler while most of the boats here depart for their next adventure! The Fall Rendezvous is history!

Thanks for Reading!