Demopolis to Dog River (Mobile)

11/3/11 Thursday     Our hopes to be the only boat leaving Demopolis today were squelched when I looked outside at 6am and saw lights on in 3 other boats! Shortly after one of them made a call to the lock and was told to head on down. Just like ants at a picnic the boats appeared at the lock. When the gates closed there were 9 boats in the lock. Normally even at a slow speed we are faster than most boats so after some vhf chatter we had a plan of departure from the lock. That is until the lockmaster said for the side with the slowest boats to leave first. Well, after the lock we got the order established and we took off with Lindonia on our heels. Maybe it's just because I'm an only child , but I just don't like running in a pack.

Ants filing into Demopolis Lock.

97 miles later we pulled into Bobby's Fish Camp to spend the night and partake of some of their famous catfish for dinner. We decided to raft off of Lindonia since we knew several of the other boats would be coming in and it would be better to raft with someone you know and trust.

Rafted at Bobby's Fish Camp

By evening the others showed up with one boat going back upstream to anchor because he didn't want to raft off another boat. We ended up with 5 boats tied to their dock. In true boater fashion we had cocktails first and then went up to what has become an institution on the trip down the river. Pretty much you have the choice of catfish, catfish, or catfish! Beer they have but bring your own wine.  A rustic place for sure with memorabilia and other junk hanging all over the walls. In spite of the decor dinner was good and we can now say we've been there!

Bobby's Fish Camp

Memorial to the late Bobby in front of the restaurant.

11/4/11 Friday     Up and off at 7am headed to the Coffeeville Lock. Our last lock of this trip. Not all of the boats from yesterday made the first lockage so the order of departure wasn't hard to figure out. Some of the boats wanted to make it all the way to Dog River or Fairhope 136 miles away so we let them go. Our plan was to get to the Alabama River Cut-Off anchorage, about half way to Dog River. The cruise was uneventful until we entered the twisting, turning part of the river and saw the nose of a tow coming around the bend. A quick call to the tow to see where he wanted me and his response was "put it on the beach!". He had his nose on the red buoys and his stern almost hitting the bank. That left us about 100' between the reds and the shore. We got out of the way and continued on our way. The boat following didn't get out of the channel far enough and the tow had to come to a stop by putting his nose into the river bank. I'm sure he wasn't happy but never showed it on the vhf.
The river below Coffeeville has several switchbacks that make it interesting when you travel through it.

Chartplotter showing the twisting river.

Meeting a tow with plenty of passing room.
We continued on passing retirement homes and a kayaker on our way to the anchorage.

Retirement home.

Kayaker heading south.

We arrived at the anchorage and when the boat started swinging toward the bushes Mr. Lazy decided to deploy a stern anchor.

Alabama Cut-Off anchorage.

Behind us there were 4 other boats that I know of but couldn't see.

11/5/11 Saturday     Fog!!! Finally we saw a tow going by northbound and decided to go. Not the best visibility but enough.

M/V Tosmo following in the mist.

All went well until arriving at the 14 mile RR bridge. The old swing bridge has just recently been replaced with a lift span and the bugs aren't worked out yet. The bridge tender was all apologies and suggested maybe we could do a little fishing while we waited.

New 14 mile lift span.

Old 14 mile swing span on barges waiting to be taken away.

An hour later with no fish caught they raised the bridge and we cruised on into Mobile harbor and beyond to Mobile Bay.

M/V Moon Lady

Hey B-Gravy. I see your old jeep!

New Navy ship being built.

There was plenty of commercial activity as we passed through Mobile before arriving at Grand Mariner Marina for the next couple of nights. Of course this means we're back in salt water. Bring on the dolphins! Pam has been practicing her call for the past couple of days.