GL: Wrong way Barnes

[Wayne & Lynn Flatt]

Tom,

We have been up the Tennessee River to Knoxville from Florida and it is a
wonderful trip.  There are no worries. By April 15th the spring winds have
often abated considerably.  This time of year you don't have the winter
numbers of fronts marching through and this year so far seems mild anyway, at
least to us.

The entire west coast of Florida and the armpit of Florida provides some
excellent cruising options.  Between Tarpon Springs and Panama City,  are
wonders to explore such Homosassas, Crystal River, Suwanne, Apalachicola, Owl
Creek and others I have missed Not to mention a thousand gunk holes along the
Panhandle.

Once to Mobile stop and check with the Army Corp of Engineers and see how high
the Tombigbee is running due to spring flow or flooding.  Mobile is an
interesting stop either at Dog River, Grand Mariner or on the eastern shore at
the little town of Fairhope which is quite artsy and fun.

Get your tow passing game in play cause your going to pass about four a day on
the Tombigbee.  Once out of Mobile and you get into the switchbacks call out
about every 30 minutes your boat name that you are a pleasure craft, speed and
location by landmark and mile.  No one will answer until the need arises, but
they will know you are there and monitor your position as it affects them.  If
you want to start out right DO NOT call them barges.  They are driving a tug
and they are pushing dumb ass barges which requires skill and cunning--a barge
is just a dumb piece of steel.  The tug and barge together is more commonly
referred to as a tow.  We call them by the boat name or simply Tow at mile
number.  They haven't shot us yet.

Make sure to find a copies of Fred Myers guide books on the Tombigbee and the
other on the Tennessee.

Don't neglect the Tombigbee it can be as much a destination as the Tennessee
River if you do your homework.

This is a wonderful summer trip and you should be ready to enjoy the
adventure.

Wayne & Lynn Flatt, full time cruisers
MV Skinwalker