Florence - Alabama, not Italy

Trip Day:	220	Latitude:	34°47.21 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	31	Longitude:	087°40.44'W	Locks Total:	96
Total Miles:	4,717	Location:	Florence, AL  - Florence Harbor Marina

The stars were highly visible from our dark little cove last night—what a treat.  As we pulled out into the river this morning, the steam rising off the water was a nice effect.  As soon as we rounded the first bend there were some amazing homes/estates to behold—perhaps just summer lake homes. 

By ten  o’clock we were in Natchez Trace Trail area.  The 450-mile long parkway running from New Orleans to Nashville, is part of the National Park system.  It began as an Indian trail and was later used by traders, missionaries and soldiers in the 1700s.  Meriwether Lewis died while traveling on the trace in 1809.  We hope to take a drive on the parkway to enjoy the scenery by land.  The river is more narrow now since we have passed Pickwick Lake, but we were able to fly sails most of the day.  As we approached the town of Florence (named after   Florence, Italy) the bluffs on the south side were just amazing. 

We pulled into Florence Harbor Marina which was very busy with arriving boats.  There are at least 10 looper boats that we have met along the way.  Most boats will be headed to Joe Wheeler for the fall rendezvous, which we are not attending. 

Some notable personalities who called Florence home include Helen Keller and W.C. Handy, the trumpet player and songwriter who wrote Saint Louis Blues.  We took a ride through the city, using the marina courtesy car but will need to do more exploring.  We plan to visit the 1939 Rosenbaum House, the only Alabama structure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. 

Quite by accident we discovered the campus of University of Northern Alabama, which was beautiful, near downtown amongst rolling hills. 

Tomorrow we are traveling home for a grandkid fix, leaving the boat at the marina.  So, travel days will be put on hold  until we return on the 25th.