Travels with KOKOMO II: Oct 5-6, Florence, AL

It rained all day yesterday and all night, too. Today is overcast and cool and we get underway about 10 am. We head east (upstream) on the Pickwick Lake (a wide spot in the Tennessee River) and move 50 miles to Florence, Alabama.

Beautiful cove.
Two cruisers in his spot, one a looper from Port St Lucie.

We move into the cove for a better look.
Waterfall in the back of the cove flows from the recent rains.

We see some extraordinary scenery along the way today. This part of the Tennessee River is beautiful when viewed from the boat.

Travel park has Indian TeePee's.

Approaching the bridge at Florence.
The current is running 2.5 knots against us here because of releases of water from the dam just upstream. Our normal cruising speed of 8.8 knots is now reduced to 6.2 knots.

Florence Marina.

Dave and Joyce Powell from Stuart have joined us in Florence. They have brought lots of news of friends and community activities. It is great to get caught up on the happenings at home. The weather continues to be overcast. We have the feeling of being 'socked in'.

We visited the Key Underwood 'Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard' out in the woods about 20 miles west of Tuscumbia, Alabama. We have to ask directions three times to find the place and each person who helps us does so with a big grin on their faces after they give us the directions. A unique local attraction.

Linda with Joyce and Dave Powell.

The first dog was buried here September 4, 1937 and now there are more than 180 'coon dogs' here. The place is well kept and there are plastic flowers at each grave site. These folks must love their dogs.

The city on the south side of the Tennessee River across from Florence is Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and was the center for blues and country music before Memphis or Nashville. Some even say it is the home of rock and Roll. There were several active recording studios Muscle Shoals and most of the famous artists recorded here in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's.

The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is in Mussel Shoals and commemorates all the Alabama artists and industry people. Featured people were either born in, or lived in Alabama. We find the Museum is as good as the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Solid Gold Cadillac has hundreds of silver dollars inlaid in the interior, a western saddle between the front seats and guns for door handles.

Touring bus for the group Alabama.
Open for inspection.

Artists that recorded in Muscle Shoals include Joan Baez, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, Rod Stewart. Bobby Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, the Temptations, the Supremes and many others.

Fame recording studio.

The University of North Alabama is in Florence and the downtown area seems fairly prosperous. UNA is a very attractive campus. Most of the large box stores are across the river in Muscle Shoals.