This one’s for Hugh.

Took off from our gorgeous anchorage yesterday morning.  Shortly after departure, saw Steve, a guy we met at Clifton Marina who is paddling the Great Loop via kayak for charity.  (If you look up Paddling With Steve on Facebook, you can find him.)  Cool British dude.  We varied course and went over to say hello.  I was making brekkie sandwiches and offered him one.  He gladly accepted.  Poor guy is having oatmeal every morning.  🙁

After slogging through a gnarly current all day Monday, yesterday was a breeze.  Took off from Tennessee, went through Mississippi and ended in Alabama.  Sailed through some beautiful scenery, and stunning homes.

Ultimately tied up in Florence, Alabama at Florence Harbor Marina.  Were welcomed by the owners who were so helpful and nice.  Lovely marina and town.  Plugged in and turned on the AC.  Walked to the River Bottom Grille where we had a beer and fried pickles that were absolutely awesome!  They had a great courtesy car which we took to Muscle Shoals for some rock music history!  Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Bob Segar and Linda Ronstadt (to name a few) all recorded here.

Walked into town and had dinner at a great Italian restaurant.  Sidewalks aren’t super common here which makes walking at night a trip.

Departed shortly after 8:00 this morning in beautiful, albeit hot, weather.  We were 2 miles from the Wilson Dam and Lock.  Called the Lock Master and were told if we left soon, we could likely get in without a wait.  Wilson Lock is a 95 foot lift; our largest thus far.  Had a pretty quick, and easy, lift.  Heartbeat took the lead today.

Another couple hours later, we went through Wheeler Lock.  Although not as high (55 feet lift), we were a little more in the center versus the front and had some good turbulence.  Trying to keep the bow off the wall with the boat hook was a bitch.  But, we made it through.  Landed at Joe Wheeler Marina in the Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, AL around 12:30.  Topped off our fuel and got a transient slip for the night.

{Joseph “Fighting Joe” Wheeler (September 10, 1836 – January 25, 1906) was an American military commander and politician. He is known for having served both as a cavalry general in the Confederate States Army in the 1860s during the American Civil War, and then as a general in the United States Army during both the Spanish–American War and Philippine–American War near the turn of the twentieth century. For much of the Civil War he served as the senior cavalry general in the Army of Tennessee and fought in most of its battles in the Western Theater.

Between the Civil War and the Spanish–American War, Wheeler served multiple terms as a United States Representative from the state of Alabama as a Democrat.}

This is a beautiful area which is hosting this years AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association) Fall rendezvous.

Washed the boat and did some laundry.  Mike made homemade pizzas.  Another great dinner with Kent and Heather of Heartbeat, finished with episode 1 of Justified (since we recently left Kentucky).

Tomorrow’s itinerary is a little up in the air, as most of the days have been.  Ultimate goal is to get to Chattanooga on Sunday.

Had champers tonight toasting our dear friend Hugh whom we love with all our hearts.  Because, a man’s not a camel.  Cheers!  M&M