CHANGED PLAN

11/15/08---Awakened to low clouds, light fog, and 20 MPH winds. The flags were sticking straight out. Not a good day to move the Dream Manor. Flexibility is a great thing when possible. So we decided to move Keith's van to Demopolis, Alabama. Drove to Corinth, MS and picked up a rental car. Drove both vehicles to Demopolis and returned to the boat with the rental. Conditions are improving and once we start moving the boat it should take about 5 days to reach Demopolis.

READY

11/14/08---It has been foggy the last few mornings. So we are planning a short run of 38 miles to Bay Springs Marina after the fog burns off. That will put us in position to make it through 4 locks the next day. We made final preparations to begin moving farther south. Checked fluids in the engines, took on diesel fuel, pumped out holding tank and filled fresh water tank. Made a trip to town for misc supplies and plenty of groceries. The weather is supposed to be clear and cool. If conditions remain good we should be in Demopolis, Alabama in about 5 days.

PREPARING

11/13/08---Still having a problem with fuses blowing on the engine batteries. Spent time trouble shooting and talking to the Gibson plant. At least had success getting the 12 volt galley lights to work above the sink. Those lights are being powered by the port engine battery. Maryann is much happier, and believe me it is important to keep the cook in a good humor.

Spent time with Chip Lucas going over the Tenn-Tom charts. He is a very experienced captain who has traveled that waterway over 100 times. The information he provides will be most helpful.

RETURN-RAIN

11/8-12/08---The week spent in Louisiana went by very quickly. Enjoyed working with the family repairing apartments in a 4-plex that we have as a rental. Hopefully we can find some good renters once the project is completed. Yesterday the 11th, I drove back to Grand Harbor Marina in the far NE corner of Mississippi just accross the line from Counce, TN. It takes a good 8 hrs to travel the 500 miles. Keith & Maryann seemed glad to have me back on the boat. Today the sky is overcast and occasionly it rains. Attached are some pictures they took while I was gone.

VOTE

11/3-7/08---On the 3rd we used one of the Grand Harbor courtesy cars so I could drive Keith & Maryann to Corinth, MS. A car was rented at 9:00 a.m. so they could go to Green Turtle Bay and get their van. I returned to Grand harbor and spent time visiting with the various boating neighbors. Keith & Maryann returned the rental car and arrived here in the van about 7;00 p.m. They looked frazzeled and completely worn out from the day's journey. Since I had not received an absentee ballot I left the Marina at 6:00 a.m. Tues (4th) and drove 8 hrs to Youngsville, LA. Since my wife was not expecting me, she was very surprised when I walked up behind her and asked "where do I go vote?" It is very important that everyone votes no matter what there preference may be. It is an important right that must not be lost. I spent several hours in Apache's office Wed visiting with my friends. On Thur I drove to Houma, LA to see a friend and look for a possible place to park the boat. It is so industrialized on the water ways that good places for pleasure boats are not available. There is some short term docking available near the Hospital. Who knows it might be handy to be within walking distance to a medical facility! Charts were available at a local store so I picked up those for Mobile Bay and the ones needed to get to New Orleans. Maryann sent me an e-mail saying that several more boaters arrived at the Grand Harbor Marina. They are travelers making the Great Loop. A few boat pictures are shown. Also a picture of the paddle wheel boat that operates on Lake Pickwick. Since I am still in Louisiana the blog may be somewhat hit and miss. I will keep everyone informed when returning to the boat as we intend to move farther south.

PICKWICK LAKE

11/2/08---Grand Harbor Marina is the busiest area of any that we have stayed. There are numerous boats of all sizes enroute to and from Pickwick Lake which is 1 mile east. The marina Deck Hand sells lots of fuel. This area is on the Tennessee state line in the corner that joins Mississippi and Alabama.

As has been the case eveywhere we go, the "Dream Manor" is attracting a lot of attention. It sticks out past the end of the slip and becomes highly visible. There is something on the boat that causes folks to really take the second and third looks besides the hard top and davit. We have a lot of fun with our dog. "BB", short for "Boat Boxer", he stands gaurd and keeps a watchful eye for those dirty birds that like to make a mess. Folks have to really study to determine if it is real!

GRAND HARBOR

11/1/08---Another terrific day to travel on the water. The fog lifted at Clifton and we left at 9:45 a.m. That is beginning to seem like a normal starting time! There were numerous tows today hauling both ways. We passed two of them just before Pickwick Lock and got right in with no waiting. The lift was 55’ and when the gate opened Lake Pickwick appeared. What a beautiful lake! We crossed part of the lake following the bouys that led to the beginning of the Tombigwee (known as the Tenn-Tom). Just a mile into the waterway we pulled into Grand Harbor Marina at 4:00 p.m. Chip Lucas guided us to a slip near the ship store. Chip said the only thing he did not have was cinammon rolls like his friend Randy Ashworth had made available to us at Pebble Isle. We laughed and had a good visit. The distance today was 58 miles.