We arrived back at Joe Wheeler with both engines running as they should at least for now. When we got there, they put us next to a bigger boat that was already there so we had to squeeze in next to them. The wind was blowing hard and moving the boats around pretty good. Since I decided to go in bow first it was easier. We wanted to let the dinghy down so we couldn't back in. The next day we look the dinghy down and then turned the boat around so it was facing bow out. There was a lot less wind which made backing it up a lot easier than the day before.
We wanted the dinghy off so we could use it to clean the "mustache" off of the front of the boat. The mustache comes from bow wake discoloring the hull where the river water pushes up against the bow. It kind of looks like a mustache. A lot of scrubbing with brushes and toilet bowl cleaner made it go away.
Cindy's Observations: There were 65 boats who motored in for the rendezvous. It is mid October and the lake water is still warm enough for the avid swimmers to take the plunge if desired, the pool however was a bit nippy. Simultaneous meetings were held daily for 3 days. Various topics such as; minor boat repairs, galley shortcuts, charting routes, anchorages and general information about what the marinas had to offer for your needs up to Norfolk, Virginia. Lunch and dinners were served buffet style. An outdoor concert was arranged in Rodgersville for the Loopers entertainment. A local down home band which we enjoyed a great deal. There happen to be a town fall festival at the time we were there so we got in town in time to partake in a chili cook off contest and car show.
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| Bucket List is 5th from left facing the pool. |
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| Burgundy top makes it easy to spot. |
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| Mail Room |
Denise, Jack and little Beatriz
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| Rat Truck |
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| Larry's favorite! |
Cindy's Observations: Walking back to our boat during a break I noticed our bicycle fleet was growing. We had placed our bikes here so we could wash the boat off. A day later more joined. These are our land cruisers, the tan ones, (2011 Walmart specials). All the Looper mail was brought to this room for pick up. When we know where we are staying for a period of time we can have mail sent from home. Little Beatriz is a Looper with her parents on Jade She lives on board since birth and is home schooled. She speaks 3 languages. A very bright bubbly cutie pie. The Loopers arranged for her to have a trick or treat day. Plastic spiders were put on dock lines for those who wanted to share her costume party. She spotted those spiders quickly and the fun began. Beatriz was a good "grand kid fix" for quite a few loving gmas and papas.
There were a variety of antique cars, classic racers, muscle cars, vets, a few customs and of course everybodys favorite, General Lee. A somewhat restored 1944 pickup was built onto a ford S 10 frame. All items his friends donate, get welded onto the truck. He calls it his "Rat Truck".
An open house was set up for boaters interested in viewing other boats. Bucket List had a few people considering our style of boat also to do the loop, so a tour we gave them. Its interesting to view different boat styles and gain ideas about storage and navigation systems they use and of course, decor. As you can see by the picture we are not in the biggest ship ranking, but we have a very nice "home away from home."
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