We anchored in Sumter Landing last Sunday night, thinking we’d ease into Demopolis, AL on Monday. The four boats in the anchorage all locked through the Heflin Lock together, and by 1;30 we were actually leaving Demopolis, as there were still so many boats backed up from the high water south of us, that the slips were full. So we anchored in Fuscue Creek, a couple of miles away.
We tied a stern line to a tree and swung enough on it to wear the line almost through! That was a shocker! Some boats left Demopolis in the morning and we headed in, got fuel and a pumpout, and moved to a slip . Used their courtesy car to do a bit of replenishing, and smiled at the alligators who guard the restaurant.
Tuesday 15 boats left. The lock that is immediately downstream has 10 floating bollards, and so can move 10 boats at a time. We’d decided to stay another day so we could get an earlier start. The best laid plans. On Wed. a.m. the fog was so thick that our 7 a.m. departure turned into 8:45! Our 10 baots moved out as soon as the Demopolis lockmaster, Mike, let us know the visibility was ok. Mike was a marvel of professsionalism as he organized everyone and got us in and out (he even asked a tow to wait for us, and the captain agreed) We were locked through and underway by 9:45!
The group of 10 separated by speed, and after a day of variety on the Tenn-Tom--rock, then clay, then mud, then rock again along the shore, hairpin turns and tows, 4 of us, QUEEN ANN’S REVENGE, GRATEFUL, GRYPHON and YA anchored nose to tail in Bashi Creek. Just before dusk, MILLENIUM SEA joined us and rafted to our port side. Ken and Cheryl are a Canadian couple who began the Loop 2 years ago, returned to Canada, and now have picked up where they left off, in KY. They’re heading back to Canada via New York--the long way.
Friday dawned with thick fog and we waited until 8:15 to get underway. There was more activity on the water today. We sow pleasure craft (go-fast boats) and fishermen--even a few cows along the shore! At noon we locked through at Coffeeville, AL--our last lock of the loop. We’re back at sea level now, and by 1:30 we four boats (GRYPHON had to hurry on to keep a schedule) were tied up at an abandoned lock at mile 100--that is how far away Mobile is. At four in the afternoon we eight folks gathered on YA to raise a toast to the last lock, to sea level and salt water, and to good traveling companions and new friends.
The guide books say not to try to go into old Lock #1 as the water is too shallow. The Coffeeville Lockmaster had told us that the water is 15” above the normal level, and because of this we were able to tie to the lock wall. Great for boat visiting, and for walking dogs! (Sorry I don’t have a photo of Porter, GRATEFUL’s Portugese Water Dog.)
Saturday morning was clear and we were again parading along by 7:15 a.m. We made it an easy day and stopped in Bates Lake where we were anchored by 1:30--just in time to get in out of the rain! It poured all afternoon and evening. When the rain stopped at exactly 11 p.m., all was incredibly still. This was so despite the many small houses along the shore of the lake.
Sunday at 6 a.m. we heard the AIS signal beep on the navigation system, telling us that a tow was passing in the River. If the tows are moving, there is no fog, so we’re up and at ‘em. Anchors aweigh, and we are in the River (no more Waterway--it’s the Mobile River now) at 7:07! The water is streaming along--almost 3 kn. of current have us going 10 kn, or 11.5 mph! At 11:05 we passed under the Cochrane Bridge, and into Mobile Bay!
Mobile is a major seaport and harbor with lots of ships, activity, and a free wall to tie up at the Convention Center Our little parade enjoyed a running commentary from Cdr. Hank on QUEEN ANN’S REVENGE, as we moved through the Harbour, across the Bay and turned into the Dog River. This is salt water and it spreads as far as the eye can see, but once again, shallow is the operative word. Staying in the channel with it’s 7 foot depth is important.
We tied up at Turner’s Marina, then untied and moved to a different slip where the electric power matched the boat’s needs. The Marina has a courtesy car and Hank, Ann, Mark, Carol, Fred and I piled aboard to have dinner at the Mariner’s Harbor Restaurant.
We are having a hard time getting our brains around the fact that we’re actually in Mobile. For over a thousand miles when someone asked “where are you heading?” we’ve answered ‘Mobile’. And here we are! And here we’ll be for a few days.
So enjoy Thanksgiving, and continue to note all those wonderful blessings. See you next week!
No comments:
Post a Comment