The Rendezvous

Tuesday, October 21^st through Thursday, October 16th

The Rendezvous

I thought I would sum up the week in one post, and capture the highlights.

Who is Joe Wheeler, anyway.

·       It was a week of early mornings, and late nights.  Approximately 150 road miles driven each day, leaving before dawn, and always returning after nightfall.

·       Friends, Friends, Friends.  We caught up with our French friends, Sylvi and Simon from Quebec; our Canadian friends, Jim and Mimi, from Ontario; Bob who had the Mainship that was awaiting service at Aqua Marina, and a host of others.  Sylvi, Simon, Jim, and Mimi were part of the group we had met at Hoppie’s, and who cheered us on when we found them at the river diversion, just north of Mississippi Mile Marker 0. It seemed that it was not uncommon to have an “I know you” experience as we talked to folks.

·       Food!  Almost every morning a buffet, which was sure to include biscuits and gravy.  Every noon, a buffet, and every night a wine and beer reception, and more food.

·       Seminars.  There were two rooms that held the seminars.  We pretty much went to the seminars where the topics included the features of the river route we were going to take.  Where were the anchorages, what were good marinas.  How to cross the gulf without drama (after an hour and a half, Kathy was still scared out of her wits).   How to cross to the Bahamas. Tim asked Kathy if she was up to the Bahamas crossing.  She said…let’s get across the gulf, first.

• Backward Dingy races. The captain steered the boat, and the co-captain gave directions.




Sylvie and Simon on the dingy race

• We made an appointment with the owner of Turner Marine in Mobile, AL to pull the boat, check out a few things, and perhaps get rid of those zebra mussels.  

·       Did I mention friends?  And food?

·       Oh, and another trip to a Walmart Superstore in Florence Al.

Thursday night was bittersweet.  We don’t know when we will meet up with our friends doing “the loop”.  From here, folks are headed home for a while, or will head to Mobile, AL, and head home, again for a while.  The chances of meeting up with them are questionable.  Thank heaven for the internet.  While spotty in most places, we can stay in touch with our new found friends, and it has been invaluable in keeping in touch with our home friends.

Text and emails seem to get through.  Phone calls are not so reliable.

Kathy cried saying adieu to our friends.  We shall meet again. Sure of it.

It was well worth the time and effort to get here.  We spent long hours motoring the boat and grabbing quick meals on the river. Now, we are trying to lay back a bit, and take our time. Our next deadline is Christmas with our friends in Bradenton, Florida.  And perhaps see our friends in Fort Meyers. We have almost 2 months to get there.  Not certain what we will do for Thanksgiving.  That is a hard one for Kathy, as she loves Thanksgiving.

Oh,. and Tim won a months stay at a marina in Florida.  Good luck abounds.

Boats in the Joe Wheeler Marina

Thanks for reading.