Florence Marina and The Rendezvous

As we traveled on the Tennessee River, we came to Florence, AL.  We had no intentions of doing more than restocking of supplies, but this little city is one of my favorite stops along the way.  A young lady had inherited this marina from her father.  She worked hard with her girlfriends to keep the place running and was doing a good job.  They got a new washer and dryer while we were there, although the dock did need some repair.  The restaurant was very nice with tables overlooking the marina.  Our slip was right beside the ramp to shore, so walking Sadie in the park right beside the marina was nice.  The courtesy car was interesting.  The bearings were missing in one wheel, the windows didn't roll down, it didn't always back up, and there was soda pop spilled everywhere.  However, free is good.  We only had to fill up with gas when we brought it back.  We heard that the week after we left, the wheel fell off the van.  Oops!  

While in Florence, we visited the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home.  It was beautiful and quite unique as all his homes are.  The complimentary wood work, brick work and floor to ceiling windows with beautiful garden views from each room were all awe inspiring. 

                                                   FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOME

Dining Room

Den

Boys Bedroom with Four Bunks, Built in Drawers
and Bench Seats
 

Living Room

In addition we spent some time at the Helen Keller Home.  It was interesting to hear her story which I can remember reading about years ago and see where she lived as a child and later with her teacher in the cottage next to the home.  It was interesting to see the history of slaves quarters in a building with the kitchen separate from the home.  The room for the cook was actually a nice room, but I'm sure heat in the summer kitchens were overpowering.  We were there in October and it was quite warm then.

 

Marv at the Helen Keller Home

The Cottage Where Helen Lived with her Tutor

 

 The Alabama Music Hall of Fame was very interesting.  However, we were running out of time with the courtesy car, so we had to cut this tour short.  I think Marv could have lost himself in this museum for an entire day. 

The next day we departed for the rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park in Northern Alabama.  It was fun to arrive early and anticipate the new arrivals each day.  We spent the day traveling with Jim and Moe on Gemini.  Their home port is not far from where we live in Michigan, and for years we drove by Moe's place of work almost daily.  They are delightful companions.

Arriving early at the rendezvous and watching as the other loopers arrived was fun.  Loopers are fun people.  As I've said before if you want a happy hour party, you sit your chair on the dock with something to drink and a snack, and before you know it, there will be two to twenty more people with drinks, chairs and snacks ready to share the travel stories of the day.  We all help each other with mechanics, food, pets, tie ups, departures and what ever arises.  The rendezvous was so much fun.  We had three straight days of classes, wonderful meals, and incredible fellowship.  Our brains are on overload.  Most of the classes involved sections of the travel we had ahead of us.  We will attend another in Norfolk in the spring.

One day while at the rendezvous, the city sent a school bus to take us to shop and dine.  Marv and I went to lunch in a place that had overly slow service.  Several of our friends left without eating, because they had to get to a concert which Marv and I opted not to attend.  Across the table from us was a couple from Louisiana who had closed on their boat purchase that day, and they came to the rendezvous to learn about looping.  Marv and I suddenly realized that we had missed the last bus back to the marina, so Roger said to not worry; he had us covered.  He went to get his car while Marv and his wife paid for the meals.  We all climbed into the car and off to the concert he drove.  When he and his wife got out of the car, he handed Marv his keys, and told him to just park at the hotel by the marina.  Now this wasn't just a car.  It was a brand new, gold BMW convertible, and they barely knew our names.  Trust me, we drove very carefully back to the marina.  Then we were challenged in trying to figure out how to remove the key from the ignition.  Everyone in the boating world is so nice, but this was over the top.  The next day Roger said he wasn't worried; he knew our boat and our dog.  Poor Sadie; held at ransom once again.

The rendezvous was wonderful and so much fun, but we are tired and ready to move on.  Tomorrow is an early rise--5:30 am.  With 80 boats at the rendezvous, we are leaving in shifts in order to ease traffic on the locks.  Our group will leave port at 7:30 with 14 boats in our lock group.

14 Boats in a Huge and Deep Lock on the Tennessee River

As we headed back towards Florence, we had two locks to pass through.  All the organization the night before was to no avail as we had a few in the group who traveled fast, and had to be ahead of everyone else.  However, when the got to the second lock, they had to sit and wait for the rest of us.  Pretty funny.  Those lock masters know how many boats are coming each time.  It is always fun to raft off of another boat in the locks.  This gives us a chance to meat new people and share adventures as we wait.  We also had people standing on the lock waving at us as we traveled through.  It is difficult to visit with them due to the noise of boat motors all idling while the lock water levels change.  Marv and I learned early on, that when we talk to each other in the locks, we need to use our names.  For example, when I have released and pulled in all lines I yell, "Marv, all clear."  Without using names you hear as many as 14 line throwers yelling to the captain of the boat that all lines are clear.  When the boats are close together, it is difficult to know who is yelling at who.  For us the names help save the day, as Marv then knows I am talking to him, and our boat is ready to drive on.

We went back to Florence where we once again had a stranger offer us the use of his truck.  I'm so surprised by this offering.  We just never cease to be amazed by the kindness of people.  We chose not to hook up to water this time, as our water line was hanging in the water and had some growths attached.  Purified tank water is just fine.  Rather than taking advantage of someone, we used the infamous courtesy car again.

Our next stop is Aqua Marine on the Tenn-Thom River where we will reunite with our friends, Panda Bear, and continue our journey south.  As we pulled in, there were no dock hands to catch lines, but there was the man from Florence who offered us his truck.  He and his friends came and grabbed our lines.  It's always nice to see smiling faces and friends, new and old.