Piloting a boat down rivers full of bends, with narrow channels weaving back and forth, and trying to get into locks and narrow slips may sound like a stressful thing to do. But, it is nothing compared to what the crew must do and put up with on a trip like this. Handling all the lines, the anchor, the windlass and the fenders in all kinds of weather - cold, warm, rainy and fog – makes my job seem easy by comparison.
I may be prejudiced, but Linda is the best crew a captain could have. She does all the physical work in the elements while I am able to stay in the comfort of the pilothouse. She also is the ship’s communications officer and can flirt with the tow pilots and have them eating out of her hand. Most love to chat with her, even to the point of talking about our boat as we pass. Last night as we helped another boat into a slip in front of us in Demopolis, the guys on the boat noticed that Linda was the radio voice of the Lolligag and immediately commented on how they enjoyed hearing her all day. They had been behind us and could hear all of her conversations with the tug boat pilots and other boats. As many of you have already commented, she has also become an excellent writer and historian.
A trip like this can be a stressful time as well as very fun and exciting. Being in a confined space can add to the stress. I must say that of all the couples we have met doing The Loop, Linda is by far the ‘Best Sport” and best crew I have seen.
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