October 28 - 29 / Day 160 - 161 / Florence to Aqua Yacht Harbor / 44.4 NM

Saturday : Since we were docked at Florence Marina's fuel dock we handled the pump out and topped off our diesel and were on our way back to the Ten Tom river to Aqua Yacht Harbor (This is very close to where we stayed October 7 at Grand Harbor Marina) by 9:15.  Golden led us into this really cool cove with a waterfall – what a photo opportunity! 

We arrived at Aqua about 2:30 got secured, plugged in and said hello to a few Loopers who were positioned along the transient dock with us.  Tim got in a bike ride; it was chilly and hilly.  Today is really the first day it never got out of the 50s during the day.  Got in some of the Notre Dame game on our TV and grilled up some dinner.

Sunday :   We have a lay day here at Aqua.  Honestly nothing really exciting to say about it.  We washed the boat, did some research on our cruising route ahead of us, borrowed the marina courtesy van and did a Walmart run. Walmart is 25 minutes away.  It takes us a bit of time to find all the random things on our list at this Super Walmart and we have to throw some gas in the van before returning it - all within 2 hours.  We made it back with a minute to spare!  We grabbed dinner at the marina restaurant- very good food at a reasonable price.  In our extra time for this day, we will comment on the manners, politeness and friendliness of the folks here in this area of the south.  From the clerks at Walmart to the marina owners and their employees, it's all "yes sir, pardon me Ma'am, have yourself a great day."  We were at a restaurant in Chattanooga and they had a stage set up for people perform. It was a Monday night and the manager announced that his daughters would like to sing a couple songs for the dinner patrons.  They were young, maybe eight and ten years old.  They were really shy and cute and we are sure did not sing like this at home without the audience.  Afterwards, we were talking to the Dad and we congratulated him and hoped they turned out to be famous singers some day.  He responded that he just wants them to be 'respectful'.  We were a little surprised by his response, but we were more impressed than surprised.  Everywhere you turn, Southerners are polite as can be.