So Blessed…

From Rhonda: Today, in low visibility, pouring rain, and two foot seas, we made a 39 mile crossing of Mobile Bay from Dog River Marina West of Mobile to The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (more on that later).

While I was at the helm for a few minutes covering for the Captain, the following message popped up on the chartplotter and I grabbed a photo.

It came at the perfect time. We have spent the last many long days on flooded, debris-filled rivers, dodging logs (sometimes entire trees), stopping where we could overnight, and sometimes rafting off other boats because docks were inadequate. Just yesterday we traveled more than 135 miles to Mobile Bay, and arrived safe but hot and exhausted. Not every Looping day is outstanding, but that’s true for life too, isn’t it?

But seeing the word BLESSED on that screen made me recall the many, many blessings this trip has brought us.   We’ve seen parts of the U.S. we have never seen, or at least not from a water perspective, we’ve watched the seasons change on the rivers, we’ve learned more about ourselves and each other (even after almost 30 years of marriage), we’re honing our boating skills, and most importantly, we’ve met some of the greatest folks….fellow LOOPERS!  A shout out to Mike from Carousel and Pat from Boyle ‘N Water, two excellent and experienced captains who were willing to lead and have us follow along.  Thanks fellas!

So in spite of challenges,  blessings abound, and we’re grateful.