Second morning in our almost-cove and again we shared it with fishermen. We ate a leisurely breakfast, then headed up-river toward Joe Wheeler State Park. We passed through Wheeler Dam for the second time, again very slowly. Joe Wheeler Marina was ready for us, and we gassed up, pumped out, and eased into our slip which would be home base for five nights. Fellow loopers in the next slip helped us tie up, and told us "pool-tails' would commence at 4:00.
The park has a striking lodge and beautiful pool overlooking the docks and lake, so that's where everyone gathered. A few folks brought snacks, we pulled up chairs and started visiting. A great start to the conference.
The American Great Loop Cruising Association holds two of these "Rendezvous" (what is the plural of rendezvous?) every year. We attended the spring meeting in May in Norfolk and learned so much. Sessions covered sections of the Loop, with information about marinas, tourist stops, safe passageways, etc. The only problem was they covered NORTHERN sections, and ended right where we would start our Loop. So when we began departure discussions, we planned to leave in time to attend the Fall Rendezvous to get information about the early stages of our journey. A big benefit of attending is that you meet people who are "in progress" and well as those who have completed one or more Loops. Since many of us will head down the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway around the same time, we have a chance to get to know people we might bump into for the next year. And the people who have completed the loop have great advice for us "newbies." There are 60 Looper boats and 260 people here, so we have lots to learn!
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