Alabama: Florence Harbor Marina (Day 1)

Day: 108
NM today: 36
NM Total: 2260
Locks Today: 0
Locks Total: 83

We left Grand Harbor mid-morning for our trek to Florence, Alabama, which is our last stopping place before going on to the rendezvous on Tuesday.  As we made our way upstream on the Tennessee River, Clark decided to take a slight detour before heading to our marina for the night.

Cooper Falls

I was taking care of some miscellaneous tasks down in the cabin when I heard the boat slowing down and gears shifting.  I poked my head up to see what was happening and was surprised by the view of a beautiful waterfall.  Cooper Falls is located in Tishomingo, Mississippi on Pickwick Lake just north of J. P. Coleman State Park.  These 50 foot falls are only accessible by boat.  I was sorry we could not spend more time admiring this truly beautiful sight.

Later, as we continued on our way, we passed under the mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge on the Natchez Trace (historic trail) that is part of the National Park System.  The Trace was formed by buffalo migration and later used by American Indians.  Over the years the trail was used by traders, missionaries, and soldiers.  Around 1785 frontier men used flatboats to deliver products down the Mississippi River to Natchez and New Orleans.  Once there they sold their goods and their boats and followed The Trace to return back to the starting point and repeat the process.  The Trace continued to be heavily used for trade until steamboats were introduced on the river.  In 1934 Congress approved the funding to build a parkway to commemorate the historical significance of The Trace.

Mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge --
an architectural achievement at the time of construction

We concluded the boating portion of the day at Florence Harbor Marina in Florence, Alabama. When we arrived the first thing we noticed was the number of AGLCA flags flying on the boats in the marina.  We followed first Elizabear and then Aunt Aggie into the marina.  The three of us just added to the numerous "looper" boats already at dock.  We hardly had a chance to tie up our lines, and we were greeted by boaters we have me along the way with "Docktails at 5:00!"

Finally we managed to drag ourselves away from conversations long enough to register at the marina office where we learned that the visitor information center is a relatively short distance away.  We thought it might make sense to take a bike ride over there to see what they had to offer.  We arrived at the marina at 3:00, finally got to register at 4:00, and jumped on our bikes to check out the info center at 4:45 with the idea in mind that we only had a short times because docktails were being held at 5:00.  When we got to the visitor center, however, we found that it closed on Saturdays at 4:00, so we missed it by a long shot.  We did, however, get some great pictures of McFarland Park as well as shots of the marina from the park.

Some impressive houses and landscape
on the Tennessee River

View of Tennessee River from McFarland Park
in Alabama

Looper boats at Florence Harbor Marina
as seen from McFarland Park

After our lightening quick bike ride we got back to find that the "loopers" were already gathering on the dock.  I could not begin to name all the AGLCA boaters in attendance -- many I had met before and some new faces.  Of course boat cards were exchanged all around with the new folks we met tonight.  The dock is narrow so we lined up on either side with a path between.  Several women were nervous that their chairs might slide backwards and land them in the water.  I noticed that behind my chair was the cable for some boat connecting them to the electrical box.  I figured the cable would catch me if I slid back too far so I was okay.

Loopers gathered on the dock for 'docktails'

As the sun started to set the party broke up and folks went their separate ways to find dinner.  I decided it was cook's night off and requested dinner at the marina restaurant tonight.  The first thing Clark found on the menu was the alligator tail appetizer.  Now we almost never order appetizers, but he just had to have the alligator since he has never seen it on any menu ever before.  Since he ordered it, I helped him eat it.  Gee, it really did taste just like chicken!  The way it was prepared, it looked similar to popcorn shrimp, i.e. bite-sized breaded and fried morsels of meat.

Restaurant Menu Proving they serve
Alligator Tail for an Appetizer

Clark ordered the fish filet for his main course.  When we asked what type of fish was being served, the waitress had to check and came back with "Striped Pangasius".  We said collectively, "I have never heard of that one!"  Unfortunately that also included the waitress, so we had to Google it to find out what it might be.  From what we read, it appears to be part of the catfish family which is very popular in this area.  When I asked if he liked the fish, Clark said, "Yeah, it was okay."  BTW - that means yes.

We walked back to the dock which was lit up with blue lights.  In the distance we saw this tower which is at the entrance to the marina.  It changes colors and is quite pretty.  It just happened to also be blue at the time he took the picture.

Marina Lighted Tower