Crossing Our Wake!

Monday, September 4, 2017, we left Clifton, Tennessee headed for the spot on Pickwick lake where we started the Loop in November 2015..

Clifton Marina, Monday morning, September 4, 2017

Back on board! Giving Robbie a break.

More big tows pushing barges.

There are lots and lots of beautiful homes on the river.

And bluffs, lots of bluffs.

This is a bald eagle, fishing off the beach.

Tom's duties are almost done. He's about had it.

They made a great team.

Pickwick Lock, last one

Tom can really lasso these bollards.

We went up 80 feet.

This is a floating bollard, it rises with us as the water fills the lock.

Pickwick Lake is really beautiful.

This little boat shows how big these bluffs are.

The Captain is getting close to the finish line.

Here's the spot where we started! We have officially crossed our wake.

Having drinks to celebrate, right after we arrived at Aqua Harbor Marina, where we bought the boat and started the Loop in November 2015. Robbie's sister, Lynne and her husband, Stu, met us here. They just happened to be vacationing in the area. The man on the far left is Mike Weaver, our boat broker. 

Gold Loopers! This gold burgee means we have completed the Loop. 

This is almost our entire crew, the people who helped us make this dream possible. The only two missing are Sam Sullivan and my nephew,  Patrick Hagens. From left, Stu Bass, Lynne Bass, Robbie, Me, Tom Roehl. We are so grateful to this group!!!

Moon setting over the boat tonight. We will miss this adventure! Tom goes home tomorrow, we leave Wednesday.
It has been amazing! Thank you for all of your interest and support, it has made the trip even more fun to share it with all of you!

Kentucky Lake

 They stayed at Green Turtle Marina and Resort, Wednesday night-Saturday morning for a much needed break.

Marina Saturday, September 2nd, Pebble Isle in New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Sunset Saturday night

Homes along the Kentucky Lake/Tennessee River

A lot of recreational boats on Sunday. 

Sunday, September 3rd, you can tell it's Labor Day Weekend.

I drove up to Clifton, Tennessee on Sunday, September 3rd, and met them at the marina.

What a wonderful sight!

Tom has been a wonderful boating companion and crew. Now I will join them for the LAST DAY OF THE LOOP!!! Tomorrow, September 4th, we will cross our wake, 5500 miles!

More Rivers! Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland

Tuesday, August 29th, Robbie and Tom left Hoppies after the fog lifted.

As much debris as there is in the water, leaving in the fog is just not an option.

The water swirls in the Mississippi caused by the Wing Dams, created to slow the currents, which created a lot of turbulence. 

They went 60 miles in the Ohio River. 

Tuesday night they anchored at Little Diverson Anchorage. This is the sunrise Wednesday morning.

Entering the Cumberland River

Cumberland River

Wednesday night, August 30th, they decided to make a run for Green Turtle Marina, much farther than they would normally attempt to go, but there are remnants of Tropical Storm Harvey headed up there, and they didn't want to spend another night anchored. They had to go through a lock just before the marina, which they ended up going through in the dark. It was a 60 foot rise. Then they spent 30 minutes looking for the entrance to the marina in the dark. They finally made it to the marina at 9:00 pm. They are going to rest for a few days while it rains.

The Mississippi River

Sunday, August 27th, they entered the Mississippi River. Sunday night, they stayed at Alton Marina in Alton, Illinois.

Entering the Mississippi

You must go where the sign directs you around the Chain Of Rocks, otherwise you go over a waterfall.
They lose a boat a year this way.

Monday, August 28, they went through St. Louis.

Entering St. Louis

Leaving St. Louis

Kansas City got 3 inches of rain on Sunday, which is why there is so much debris in the river.

There are some beautiful big homes along the river.

This is where they are staying tonight, at Hoppie's Marina in Kimmswick, Missouri
Monday, August 28th

Hoppie's, the last place to get diesel for the next 230 miles.

Too tired to smile, this part of the trip has been tough.