Making our way to the rendezvous

We were back in Pickwick Lake on Wednesday on our way to Florence, AL. After being at anchor for several days we decided dinner out in Florence Wednesday was a good idea. The walk to town was about 2 miles and at least a mile was up hill but we figured the excercise would be good...and it really did feel good to get out and stretch our legs.
We are headed to the American Great Loop Crusiers Association (AGLCA) rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park that starts on Monday the 17th. The AGLCA has 2 rendezvous, one in the fall and another in the spring in Norfolk, VA. They hold seminars for current loopers and those thinking about doing the loop with all kinds of valuable information on the next leg of the trip and some 101 info for those considering the adventure. If we weren't going to the rendezvous we would have continued on the Tombigbee Waterway towards Mobile.
Anyway, after a nice night in Florence we went through 2 locks to get to our anchorage Thursday night. The Wilson Lock was first with an approximate 95 foot rise and is the highest single lift lock east of the Rockies. The next lock was the Wheeler lock with a lift of about 50 feet. We had heard these locks are much quicker at getting you in and out and they did!

The anchorage was full of wildlife as we saw turtles swimming, more herons, fish jumping and then to mine and Mark's surprise we saw 2 armadillos running around on the shore. They were entertaining and neither of us had ever seen them in the wild, unfortunately no pictures as they scurried in and out of sight.

Today (Friday) was just a stones throw ride to the State Park where we will be for the next week. There were already a few boats here and a bunch more showed up this afternoon. A large group assembled by the pool to introduce themselves or to reconnect with others they haven't seen in awhile.

The heron at Florence letting us get pretty close

We don't usually order chicken wings outside of

Buffalo but these were good with a sweet South Carolina sauce

and blue cheese (because everyone knows its blue cheese

not ranch dressing with wings)!

Tow coming out of the Wilson Lock, highest lift

east of the Rockies

These are the gates at the top of the Wilson Lock,

instead of doors swinging open the gates lower straight

down into the water. Really impressive!

 

 

One of the houses along the way, 4 levels of stairs

from the house to the water

Love watching the white pelicans