We take our first side trip - Day 34 - Iuka, MS to Florence, AL

At the suggestion of our friend, Mike Maglione, we decided to visit Florence, home of the University of Northern Alabama and a city of 38,000.  This is clearly a side trip as we will have to retrace our course back to Grand Harbor to continue our trip to Mobile bay.

We departed Grand Harbor at Friday 9:30 AM turned north for one mile on the Tenn-Tom Waterway and then east to cruise 40 miles up river to Florence.  The weather this morning was partly cloudy with winds out of the northwest at 10 to 15 and a temperature in the low 50s.  We proceeded up the Tennessee (also known as Pickwick Lake) with a two foot following sea.  It is always amazing to see how quickly wind can build up waves in open stretches of water.

The Tennessee River continued to be beautiful with mostly wilderness along its banks, no debris and a well marked channel.  The only thing we could possible complain about is the current, which required us to increase RPMs to maintain our desired 10 MPH cruising speed (and burn more fuel).  Of course the good news is that we will burn less fuel when the current pushes us downstream.

As we approached Florence the wilderness was replaced by homes, barge facilities and a TVA powerplant.

Typical scenery as we proceeded up river

Homes along the river

TVA coal fired powerplant

After a pleasant four hours we arrived at the Florence Harbor Marina and parked behind an unusual barge, which we soon learned was the sales office for a traveling home on the water.



Guided Discovery at Florence Harbor Marina

At the marina office we met Dave, the developer of River Cities and his associate, Bill, who identified himself as a major investor.  They are selling a unique concept; a home on a self propelled barge that will travel the inland waterways stopping at cities along they way on an annual 10,700 mile rotation.  The goal, which is similar to the Great Loop strategy, is to spend winters in the south and summers in the north.  Two pictures essentially tell the story.  The complete story is on their website; http://www.rivercitiescondos.com/.

River Cities condominium barge

Destinations representing 10,700 miles of cruising

After touring their floating sales office, which was very nice, we walked into Florence's historic downtown, a distance of approximately 1 mile.  Note: Florence is the second major city that we have visited thus far.  Alton, Illinois was the first.  Note: After 34 days a city of 38,000 seems mighty big.  My how one's perspective changes.

Then on to the University of Northern Alabama's campus which we spent the afternoon touring.  We probably walked 5 miles or more.  The temperature was fallish in the low 50s.

Entering the quad

UNA's mascot is a lion.  They keep live ones on the campus

One restaurant on our downtown tour has a clever sign in its foyer. We intend to have dinner there tomorrow.

The temperature at midnight was 36.0 degrees when I took Kodi for her evening walk.  We are getting a little taste of fall and Diana is thrilled.

Written by Les