Great Loop Day 085 Nov 21, 2016, Dog River Marina to Turner Marine, Mobile, Alabama next door

Dog River Marina to Turner Marine, Mobile Alabama and the drive home

“There is a magic in that little world, home; it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues never known beyond its hallowed limits.” — Robert Southey

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Day 85 Monday, Nov 21, 2016. Dog River Marina to Turner Marina next door. Wheels are in motion. Ricky from Dog River Marina suggested I look into Turner Marine for my marine needs. A couple of calls later I made arrangements to have the boat pulled out on the hard for a month. Getting the bottom antifouling paint extended beyond the existing water line. I miscalculated back in April how low in the water Sea Marie would rest with the additional weight.

The ride over to Turner Marine Supply was uneventful except for a little bump in the river. Well, a big hard stop-the-boat-in-its-tracks bump! A submerged piling between the Turner Marine sign and the shore refused to move out of the way and Wham! Hit it with such force it knocked me from the cockpit where I was holding the tiller to below in the cabin. My first thought was the keel got knocked off the boat. Luckily there was no water in the bilge or on the floor of the cabin.

At low tide, that damn stump was visible but not at mid or high tide.

I gained my composure and headed over to my assigned slip.

Only had less than a day to get her closed up for the month or so I would be gone.

The rental car is reserved for Tuesday for a 960-mile ride back to the frozen tundra in Cleveland which is great news for the family as I'll be joining them for Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday. My daughter’s husband is scheduled to work Thursday so she moved the dinner up a day. A lot of things have to go right today. Made a reservation to pick up the Enterprise rental from Mobile Regional Airport at 1 pm and I have 24 hours to get it to Cleveland Hopkins airport. If you're looking to rent a car airport to airport is at a very reasonable price. So I have much to do to get the boat ready and Mickey is coming back to our dirt home with me.

The next morning one of the Turner Marina employees was nice enough to drive me to the airport and I picked up the rental car. I drove back to pick up Mickey and some supplies. Made sure I had my house and car keys for home.

It was an all-afternoon and night drive. Stopped only for coffee and restroom break.

Over 24 hours without sleep but made it safely home. Mickey was miffed he had to spend most of the time in the carrier but I wasn’t going to have a cat walking around while I was driving. Took him for short walks at the rest stops.

Dropped Mickey off at home and the car off at the airport. My Daughter in law Jen picked me up at the airport rental and drove me home. I got a couple of hours of sleep before heading out to my daughter’s house for Thanksgiving Dinner! It was going to be a big surprise to have me show up but I blew it when I mentioned it on Facebook the evening before. Still, it was good to be home even though it was to be temporary.

Needless to say, I followed this guy for miles on the highway. It was an epic drive of over 16 hours to get back to my house. Just the smell kept me awake.

The plan was to spend the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday home before driving back with Mickey to the Sea Marie waiting for us in Mobile.

Note: I will be taking a couple of days off as I get my notes, journals, and logs together for the next leg of the Great Loop. Mickey and I have the Gulf Coast, Florida, and up the east coast to New York and across the Erie Canal to explore. There is plenty of adventure ahead of us so stay tuned.

Fair winds and gentle seas!

Comments from 2016:

• David Myers Hello Henry, the weather in the Tampa, St Petersburg, and Clearwater areas. No rain until November 29 and 30th. 30℅ on 29th, 40℅ on 30th.

• Edward Durma Good luck on your drive home Henry ... 

• Scott Stanley Sikorski safe travels off the waters, the highways will be packed with others traveling on the roads.

• Kelly Carr Gangl Happy Thanksgiving Henry Krzemien! Safe travels via car!

• Fred Bortz If you pass Canton on Thursday afternoon, I will be there. Wave to Brian and me, and be safe!

• Bronwen Somerset, I take it Mickey is coming with you. Be careful my friend. Hugs & ^5's

• Donna Stolarski Whipkey Safe car travels and have a great Thanksgiving with the family.

• Rickshaw Willie I can't believe you didn't take me with you. 

• Ellen Perme Happy, Happy Thanksgiving my friend!!

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