Friday, October 23, 2015

This is what looping is all about

During the past 5 days we have experienced each of the four major components of looping. They are simply travel, experiencing nature, interacting with other like minded boaters and sight seeing around the US. We have retraced our path from Joe Wheeler State Park in Alabama and gone down river back to the mouth of the Tenn-Tom waterway.  After locking through the Wheeler lock which was open and ready for us since we called ahead, we found this embayment in Wilson Lake and had a peaceful evening watching the sun change the colors of the leaves around us.

Heading in to drop anchor for the night.

I am enjoying a second component of this adventure and that is becoming one with nature!  Nothing but fish and birds in this cove with us! 
The next morning we continue to move on. Entering Wilson Lock with other loopers who have left the rendezvous as well.
If you tap on this photo you can read our water depth below the bottom of the boat.  It reads 111.5 ft.
Now it reads 13.8 ft which means we have dropped about 97'.  Without the lock system, we would be traveling down rapids and the water levels would not be controlled for electricity generation.  
Once my line is secure I can take in some sun waiting for this huge lock to fill, wearing my cute pink lift jacket for safety!
We are back in Pickwick Lake. This cove is our stop for 2 nights because it sits in a protected wildlife area and we had more of that comuning with nature time.  My thrill was spotting loons migrating south for the winter and they gave us a lovely serenade both evenings!  I also think I spotted a group of soaring eagles off in the distance. Tried taking pictures but the birds were too small to see in a photo.
Al caught the early evening light just perfectly on his phone!









2 comments:

  1. Captain, I am concerted about you, and more specifically the use of your Garmin. The standard unit for describing a vessel's velocity is the knot. I desperately urge you to use the knot. Don't worry, a lot of rookies make this mistake as well.

    For all of you at home:
    1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.15 miles per hour.

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  2. Jane and Al- Your post encompasses the four major components of a great blog:1. Interesting 2. Learning about something new to me 3. Fun photos 4. and Loons! Thanks so much for creating these fascinating posts. I tell everyone I meet about you- even the grocery clerks know about my fabulous looper friends!! Stay safe and happy!!

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