Sailing Last Mango

11-20   Last Evening I was asked by a friend back home if I were doing the trip again would I go down the river again or take the Great Lakes out to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a good question because I have thought the same thing for years. I have to admit that I’ve heard horror stories from people who have gone both ways. We have met people who’ve gotten stuck in a broken down Erie Canal and had to have their boat lifted and trucked to the Atlantic. More horror stories than you can imagine about the river system and after doing it I would say that there mostly unfounded. Almost everything looks different in Hindsight What I can say is that the river system at times can be challenging (mostly the Illinois and Mississippi), beautiful and boring. A note to make is that both the Illinois and Mississippi were very flooded when we traveled them . The Illinois River was exciting at first, but just like driving through Illinois north to south it gets very long and boring v...

11-10     Karen and I arrived in New Orleans with Cindy and Grant from M/V As The Crow Flies. We checked into French Market Inn and started exploring the city. The weather was sunny and 75 degrees. The first thing I noticed was all the activity, people everywhere action at every corner. The second thing I noticed was the smells of the city. Everything from horse manure to last nights vomit still hiding away in the cracks of the sidewalk. Street performers put on a show for us and about 60 others. According to Cindy and Grant they were on America’s Got Talent. I have to admit they were entertaining to watch and everyone had a great time. Street performer jumping over bystanders Shots in the barbers chair  As the day went on we ate a late lunch and found ourselves on most of the streets in the french quarter. I’m somewhat amazed by the number of young pan-handlers on the street. From our observations they spend time down by the Mississippi River during...

Early Morning Fog 11-2       Monday morning we left our last anchorage on the river system and yesterday we finished our last lock. About 1/2 mile above the lock we spied (with the help of our Canadian friends) a Razorback swimming across the river, Karen was able to get a quick picture of it. It’s been cool down here. While anchored in the Tensaw River we actually awoke to ice on the boat. To me it’s hard to believe that the alligators can live in this weather, however the water is close to 70 degrees. Our trip from the Tensaw to Mobile was uneventful. After the past 2 months on the rivers I knew it was rural but I didn’t realize how rural. Approaching Mobile we noticed the distant rumble to jets. This sound seemed so foreign now. When back in Elgin low flying jets passed over our house constantly. After the rural rivers the Port of Mobile shipping area was incredible. It made the Cal-Sag look like childs play. Cool Morning on the Tensaw River ...

There may be eight million stories in the naked city but there are at least as many with the Sailor / Looper crowd. In my opinion people have been probably the most memorable and interesting part of the trip. We’ve met couples who have retired at 50 like Karen and I and people who have rushed the trip due to illnesses. It was good to hear “Young at Heart” tell us that it was the best move he and his wife made. They don’t regret it at all. Countless couples have told us how glad they are to see us retire early and do what we want, they’ve wished they did the same. We’ve also heard stories of people who waited too long and could no longer do the trip due to poor health. Even worse we people who passed away before being able to start enjoying retired life. The crowd is made up of doctors, accountants, dentists, mechanics, engineers, Canadian Mounties, nurses, firemen and school teachers. Lots of school teachers and nurses. The main thing that I’ve come to appreciate is people. ...