We're anchored tonight in a river that has traffic all night, thinking about a day of record-breaking. Today was a record for Many Moons in both miles and hours -- almost 86 miles and 10 hours under way. We've entered the desolate stretch, from Demopolis to the Gulf of Mexico. (See last post.) The idea … Continue reading Anchoring in the River (Day 87)
Here in Demopolis, Ala., I'm again observing two general types of people on The Great Loop: those who want to plan and those who don't. It's obvious on our boat, but I hear about it from other boats too. Most seem to have one of each kind on board, so there's a constant negotiation of … Continue reading To Plan or Not to Plan (Day 86)
After a long but relaxing day (61 miles) on the Tombigbee, we find ourselves in Demopolis, Alabama. Sounds Greek, right? That's because it is Greek, for "City of the People." I wonder how many people in this city know that? It was founded in 1817 by Napoleonic exiles. I don't know who they were, but … Continue reading To Demopolis (Day 85)
Many Moons at anchor in Lower Cook's Bend, Tombigbee River There's snow in the air at home in Michigan. Here in Alabama, it's in the 80s. That's why many Yoopers (people from Michigan's Upper Peninsula) go south for the winter. And some of us do it by boat. Of course, it's not winter yet. It … Continue reading Into Alabama (Day 84)
I'll remember Stop #52 of our boat journey mostly for the reminder that history matters -- the history of a friendship and the history of a nation. Pam Warnken and I met decades ago, as Navy officers. One year, when I was recovering from "break-up blues," she invited me to Columbus and persuaded me to … Continue reading Columbus, Miss. (Day 83)
So, we had a relaxed cruise on the Tombigbee Waterway and we're coming into our next marina at Columbus, Miss. This marina is just before our next lock, but it's not visible from the river. The sweet guy working there is kindly guiding us in. "Just look for the yellow sail in front of the … Continue reading Sail or Sell? Into the Deep South (Day 82)
We are anchored tonight in front of a lock -- a first for us. We're here because our first and second options were blocked by submerged and semi-submerged logs. That's the thing about boating. You have to expect the unexpected, and leave options open. We're staring at the Aberdeen Lock, maybe 600 feet away, on … Continue reading Of Locks and Logs (Day 81)
Fog. Cold. Spiders. Long straightaways. Three locks in one day. And yet, quite fun! We've entered the man-made segment of the inland waterway section of The Great Loop, heading downstream again for the first time in 20 days. It's the most relaxing part of the trip so far - notwithstanding a cold morning without heat, … Continue reading Into The Tombigbee (Days 79-80)
Cannonball pile I remember the day I realized that the Civil War is not "just history." I was in my early 30s, still on active duty and based on the East Coast. Being a born explorer, I began to explore the many battlefields in the area -- not because battles interest me but because history … Continue reading Shiloh (Day 78)
The track of Many Moons. Today, we touched Mississippi and Alabama. Tonight, we're on the border of Alabama and Tennessee. Lately, we're not sure which state we're in! Stop #48 of Many Moons' journey to the deep south finds us near the intersection of three states, at Grand Harbor Marina just off Pickwick Lake. When … Continue reading To Pickwick (Days 76-77)
For Many Moons 