We started our day at dawn. Not such a hard task at this time of year as the sun peeps over the horizon at 6:34 central time. We had a longish day ahead and wanted to take advantage of the morning cool.
So a leisurely walk with the dogs to ensure they are running on empty. Then cast off and head for the fly bridge with coffee and sweaters. Yes sweaters, even John had one on. Plus we only had one window panel open as the rest were covered in dew. The mist on the water hints that autumn is around the corner.
We saw an amazing variety of houses from heritage homes to the not so. All interesting to see.
I am writing this in bed being gently rock by wakes from passing tows. There was a navigation alert a few days ago announcing a full closure of the Tennessee Tom Bigbee south of here so I am guessing the canal has re-opened as three have gone by in the last 30 minutes.
We had one lock to do right at the end of our cruise. As luck would have it, we arrived just behind a tow. Happily the captain was willing to let us join him for the lift. Equally pleasing was the direction from the lock master to tie up on our port side. Perfect! I was shaded by the boat, a welcome benefit now that it was 30 degrees. It also meant I was hidden from the cormorants perching on the light poles on the lock wall.
We arrived at our destination, Grand Harbour Marina around 2:30. Topped up the fuel, emptied the holding tank, walked the dogs, had a swim where we crashed a four year-old’s birthday and snagged some chocolate cake. Then leftovers in the cockpit.
The image below gives a sense of the tows navigation lights. Like Moon Dance they have a green light on the starboard bow, red on the port and an all around white light. Unlike us they carry at least one search light that can light up the shore a half mile away.
Moon Dance IV 