OCTOBER 8,9,10...CAPTAIN NOTES

W We finally got to a port with wifi...and better yet we figured how to use it. We did go to the Variety show on Saturday night...not as good as our Granddaughters high school programs. It was fun and there was a lot of energy. Sunday found us being lazy and doing a few household chores inside and out. We spent part of the day trying to get the Grand River Post Office to deliver our package...no luck. They were closed Monday and we left, so Eric is now trying to retreive the package. Don't rely on the USPS. We meet a number of Loopers and spent a lot of time discussing the trip. We came to the conclusion we have the fastest boat and are doing the trip to fast. Everyone we have met so far has trawlers and there top speed is around 10 kts. Everyone we meet are taking at least a year and some two. Most seem to start in Fl. last spring and are on there return trip. The other couples started this summer and have made it this far. Sunday night we did the tourist thing and went to Patti's 1880 restuarant and had the two inch pork chop...one pound. ML had the one inch. We met two other looper couples at dinner and again realized we were on the fast track. Monday morning we had a leisurely breakfast and headed down the Tenn. river at 10:00. It was our best day on the water so far. 70 miles of beautiful shore line with numerous inlets one could easily anchor in. Calm water, no tows, sun shining and boat purring at 2100rpms. We arrived refreshed at Pebble Isle Marina, and proceed to have my favorite lunch...ice cream. I'm gaining weight. We then went to "WALLEY WORLD" for a few things. We had dinner with a couple we had met in Green Turtle, but took two days to get to Pebble. Great couple Rick and Di. Home base was Chicago but now is a 52 Hatteras. The catfish was great...another pound! The dock was full of loopers and we spent a lot of time getting aquainted. We even met the dockmaster and his wife from Caseville, Mi a port we visited a couple of years ago. They are doing the loop over the next year. In fact they took 8 days to run from Green Turtle to Pebble and we took 4 hours. Evening found me asleep on the couch and ML turning in early. Tuesday morning we awakened to fog and stayed in port until 11:00am. We finally left and made an easy 4 hour run to Clifton Marina...again a narrow entrance and shallow water. Rick and Di followed us in, but I think are going to leave early tomorrow. Forecast is for rain so we may stay put for a day or two. Andy is not able to make it so no need to hurry to Columbia, Miss. We may try to act like a looper, and slow down...it's hard not to get up and go. Pictures are of some water front property on the Tenn. River we were looking to buy; and the other is sunrise (Craig took the picture) in Green Turtle.