To Wheeler Park Marina

Wednesday, October 1

Another month gone, our fall trip is at least half over.

We awoke this morning to a cool blustery day. It was partly cloudy and the winds were already blowing. In doing the check of the engines I found more signs of hose or belt disintegration. In checking the hose that has been a problem in the past it seemed fine. Then I found a bolt for the alternator that was loose and the head was rubbing on the belt. Further investigation showed the bolt was broken not just loose.

I walked around to the other side of the harbor where the Extreme Marine office was. Jimmy didn’t have a mechanic that could take care of me but he knew a good retired diesel mechanic that likes to do small jobs. He called and Wayne said he would be there at noon. Mean while Jimmy did not have a replacement bolt so he drove me into town to a metal fastener supply company that had what I needed.

Wayne showed up at noon and in less than an hour had the broken bolt out and the alternator back together and we were as good as new. We had planned only a short run today and still had time to make it, but the wind was blowing hard and we decided to stay tied up and wait for morning.

Thursday, October 2

It was cool with a few clouds but the wind had died and the forecast was for a beautiful day. Just before we left Diana got a picture of this night heron serving as the fuel dock attend, right behind us.

We took our time and finally got underway about 8:30. As we left Cat’s Cradle was pulling out right behind us. We exited the harbor and turned down river while they turned up river. Probably the last we will see of Dave and his deck hands Missy and Rocky.

Less than a mile down river is a CSX railroad bridge with a clearance of less than ten feet, it is the only bridge on the whole trip we have had to have opened for us. We radioed him and the reply was he was checking with dispatch and would get back to us. It was only a few minutes and he called to say come ahead he was about to lift the bridge. We felt fortunate because sitting in the harbor it was normal to see several trains an hour cross the bridge.

This picture shows the battle that is going on many of the small islands along the river. As the cormorant population increases they roost in large flocks. Their droppings cover everything and kill the vegetation but competing with that is the kudzu vine that is very hardy and is try to dominate.

We motored slowly done Joe Wheeler Lake; our destination for the day was Joe Wheeler State Park which has a lovely Marina. It was a bit cool but with a light wind behind us it was pleasant. It was shortly after noon and we had the entrance to the creek that the Park is on in sight. The captain went down to rig some extra fenders and managed to lose his hat overboard. We did a quick man overboard drill and the admiral snared the hat on the first try.

We proceeded about half a mile up the beautiful wood lined creek of the park to the marina. As instructed on the radio we pulled into an open slip right in front of the lodge. We got secured and shore power hooked up. The previous two nights we had been on a dock that did not have power.

This is a lovely facility with a lodge and convention center right at the marina. Later in the month it will be impossible to get in here. The American Great Loop Cruising Association holds a fall get together here. Last year they had 60 boats and 350 people for a three day event. It is suppose to be a great time and provide a stop while the loopers wait for hurricane season to pass.

It was good to have internet access for the first time in five days, lots of e-mails to catch up on. We have reserved the slip for two nights and plan to take it easy and see some of the park tomorrow.