Saturday 10/14 Plan A was that we were going to call the lockmaster of the Wilson Lock and determine when three off us could lock through. We were under the impression that another group of five boats at the marina were going to be traveling upriver mid morning. Well at 6:45 we heard that the mid morning group had already called the lock and found out they could get in at 7:30 or would need to wait three plus hours. It basically turned into a fire drill mode getting unplugged from shore power, engine started, instruments on, lines off, back out of the slip in 15 minutes.
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| Part of this morning's flotilla looking back |
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| Passing a large tow |
There were nine Loopers in the lock at 7:30. The Wilson Lock is the highest lift lock east of the Rocky Mountain. It measures 110 feet wide by 600 feet long and locks up / down 94 feet.
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| At the top of the lock, the water under our keel measured 115 feet |
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| Looking forward towards the front of the lock |
We then traveled another 10 miles or so up the river to the Wheeler lock and were able once again to lock right through.
Joe Wheeler Park Marina our destination for the day (actually, a week long stay for the AGCLA rendezvous).
They did a great job coordinating the nine of us Loopers that all arrived at once into our slips. By 11:00 we were all settled in. We have a great dock location right in the middle of everything.
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| Observer is docked closest to the ramp on the inside of the pier. Millie is happy as she doesn't have too far to go to find green grass! |
There are many familiar boats and many Loopers we have not met before. Our dock neighbors, Thistle, invited us and a few more for docktails.
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| Our shoes left on the dock before boarding Thistle |
After a great time there we went back to Oserver for some Asian steak salad that Alice whipped together.
Sunday 10/15 The Rendezvous does not start in earnest til Monday afternoon. Loopers continue to roll in. We saw some familiar Loopers and some new Loopers. Got in a bike ride, watch the Pats beat the Jets and a pretty good size docktails for all the 'in progress' Loopers.
Monday 10/16 We hired a couple guys to apply a maintenance coat of wax on Observer while at Joe Wheeler Marina. Got that done today. We participated in a Round Table discussions where the AGCLA pairs up in progress and gold Loopers with those that are planning to share their knowledge; we met some great folks at that session. The next event was introduction of Loopers in progress to the group. We all stood up, introduced ourselves, and stated our home port, start date, and boat type. After a reception lakeside, we gathered for dinner and then introduced the Gold Loopers to the Group.
Tuesday 10/17 The AGCLA had a full set of events from sessions on travel routes ahead of us to seminars for planners on buying, financing your Looper boat, Loopers crawls (in progress Loopers open up their boats for viewing by AGCLA attendees), a kayak race (which Tim participated in and won!) and vessel safety checks. The day wrapped up with reception and dinner similar to yesterday and introduction of planning Loopers. Planning Looper stories varied from lifetime boaters to those with literally no boating experience. Our favorite story was that of a couple from Minnesota who approached a local boat dealer about buying a boat. When the salesman asked "what's your budget and what do you want to do with it?" He was not sure how to respond so he said "I want a boat I can take from the Great Lakes to Florida." Salesman responded "So you want to do 1/2 the Great Loop". To which the planner responded "Where does the other 1/2 of the Great Loop go." :)
Wednesday 10/18 Beautiful foggy morning. Our friend, Paige Caldwell, captured these photos just as the sun came up:
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| LOVE this photo Paige took of Observer. That is a heron flying by |
Today, we attended another series of seminars for the crew of Observer. We also signed up for our vessel safety check, passed and got our sticker.
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| Vessel safety sticker |
It's good practice and might prevent a coast guard boarding if displayed. We had an off sight, optional event tonight. The chamber of commerce of the local town hosts a Polo match, dinner and country band for all of for the very reasonable price of $40 pp. The chamber of commerce president came around to every table to welcome us and tell us a bit about the area, of which she is (and should be) very proud. A great time was had by everyone.
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| Very pretty centerpieces on the tables |
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| Another fabulous photo taken by Paige |
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| This photo does not capture the dancing that we all were doing, but I added it to show that it was a dance band. FUN |
Thursday 10/19 It is the last day of the rendezvous with seminars in the morning. We opened Observer for the Looper Crawl from 3-5 so any interested attendees could see her. Guests ranged from folks who knew they one day wanted to buy a boat like ours to one guy who's only boating qualification is that he can swim. Planners in particular really like to get on the boats while here at the rendezvous. Most 'in progress' Loopers Open their boats as they feel like it's a great way to give back for all the help we got as planners. The day finished up with a reception outside and an awards / appreciations presentations at dinner. We had a great time, learned a lot, met some great folks and caught up with other Looper friends at this fall rendezvous of AGCLA.
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| There is another boat in this photo in front of Observer (second in on the right), but it gives you an idea of how pretty the setting is. All in all, there were 51 boats and 226 attendees at the Rendezvous |
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