6:00 am
Saturday, September 18, 1999
Day 15
It seems amazing to me that two weeks have past already. We've come a long way. In fact from a distance standpoint we've covered almost 1/3 of the Great Circle Trip. (Approx. 5000 miles) Later today if I get chance, I'll give you some of the facts so far. (miles, fuel, etc.)
Yesterday, we finished our treck on the Tenn-Tom waterway. Both Deb, and I enjoy river boating, but I'm glad to have them behind us. The Tenn-Tom is pretty straight forward to navigate, and it's pretty, but boring. In the last two days we've traveled 218 miles, and there were two places where you could stop, and tie up your boat. Notice I did not say marinas! We are lucky in that we can go fast if we need to, and get down river, but most who take this trip are in sail boats, or trawler type hulls. These boat can only go about 9 mph at most, so their days are much longer, and therefore have more trouble finding a safe place to spend the night.
Things sure did change when we arrived at Mobile. This is a busy place.
Barges, ships, and boats everywhere. It was a treat to thread our way through this maze (at least for me). I've attached a couple of pictures that were taken to give you a little feel for the activity. I enjoy this type of boating. You have really got to pay attention to everything, and follow the charts exactly, or you'll get into trouble. I enjoy the challenge.
I've decided that the people who put together these boating guides border on con artists. The things they write about the amenities are stretched as far as they can without lying. I can almost understand this but how do they get these pictures? You flip open your guide and see a full page add of a pretty marina, in a wonderful setting. Then you get to the area where the marina should be and you can't find it. You pull over to this old rickety looking place and ask "Pardon me, where is so and so marina?" and they tell you "This is it-you're here!" That is close to where we're at. Not bad mind you, but the person who took the brochure picture was gooood. Real gooood.
But, you know what? Who cares. We made it. For those of you who are following us on the map, we are about 1/2 way down Mobile Bay in a channel that leads back to the west. Grand Mariner Marina.
Today-- crew change. Steve and Chris will get off the boat at 11 am. And get a shuttle to the airport. Les, and Ann, and Terry and Jeanie will be picked up by that same shuttle, and brought back to the boat. They will then borrow that car and go get groceries for the week. I will use today to check things out in the engine room that have been neglected. We will also give the boat a through outside cleaning. Steve has done a great job of cleaning it each morning (almost as good as you Darrell), but it needs extra attention today.
The next leg of this segment of the trip should be exciting, and beautiful.
We will cross the Mobile Bay (it's huge!) and pick up the GIW (Gulf Intercoastal Waterway). We will follow this east, along the upper part of the pan handle, until we get to Carrabelle, FL., where we need cross the Gulf to get to Tampa. I have been watching all signs of any tropical storms, but as of now, we look pretty good. We'll see.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
BK
Saturday, September 18, 1999
Day 15
It seems amazing to me that two weeks have past already. We've come a long way. In fact from a distance standpoint we've covered almost 1/3 of the Great Circle Trip. (Approx. 5000 miles) Later today if I get chance, I'll give you some of the facts so far. (miles, fuel, etc.)
Yesterday, we finished our treck on the Tenn-Tom waterway. Both Deb, and I enjoy river boating, but I'm glad to have them behind us. The Tenn-Tom is pretty straight forward to navigate, and it's pretty, but boring. In the last two days we've traveled 218 miles, and there were two places where you could stop, and tie up your boat. Notice I did not say marinas! We are lucky in that we can go fast if we need to, and get down river, but most who take this trip are in sail boats, or trawler type hulls. These boat can only go about 9 mph at most, so their days are much longer, and therefore have more trouble finding a safe place to spend the night.
Things sure did change when we arrived at Mobile. This is a busy place.
Barges, ships, and boats everywhere. It was a treat to thread our way through this maze (at least for me). I've attached a couple of pictures that were taken to give you a little feel for the activity. I enjoy this type of boating. You have really got to pay attention to everything, and follow the charts exactly, or you'll get into trouble. I enjoy the challenge.
I've decided that the people who put together these boating guides border on con artists. The things they write about the amenities are stretched as far as they can without lying. I can almost understand this but how do they get these pictures? You flip open your guide and see a full page add of a pretty marina, in a wonderful setting. Then you get to the area where the marina should be and you can't find it. You pull over to this old rickety looking place and ask "Pardon me, where is so and so marina?" and they tell you "This is it-you're here!" That is close to where we're at. Not bad mind you, but the person who took the brochure picture was gooood. Real gooood.
But, you know what? Who cares. We made it. For those of you who are following us on the map, we are about 1/2 way down Mobile Bay in a channel that leads back to the west. Grand Mariner Marina.
Today-- crew change. Steve and Chris will get off the boat at 11 am. And get a shuttle to the airport. Les, and Ann, and Terry and Jeanie will be picked up by that same shuttle, and brought back to the boat. They will then borrow that car and go get groceries for the week. I will use today to check things out in the engine room that have been neglected. We will also give the boat a through outside cleaning. Steve has done a great job of cleaning it each morning (almost as good as you Darrell), but it needs extra attention today.
The next leg of this segment of the trip should be exciting, and beautiful.
We will cross the Mobile Bay (it's huge!) and pick up the GIW (Gulf Intercoastal Waterway). We will follow this east, along the upper part of the pan handle, until we get to Carrabelle, FL., where we need cross the Gulf to get to Tampa. I have been watching all signs of any tropical storms, but as of now, we look pretty good. We'll see.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
BK
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