Anyway we entered the lock with 1 other boat. Docker's Inn from Hilton Head. Our cruising speeds were about the same and we settled into an easy pace once we exited the lock. Travelling down the Tenn-Tom has become somewhat familiar territory for Pam & myself as we recognize different things along the way that we've seen before.
The phone booth is still sitting along the way and the old mobile home hasn't fallen in the river yet. The day was a great cruising day with the sun in the sky and the temps in the upper 60's. For the longest time we were the only boats on the water. We did pass the commercial tows Uncle Bob, Jackson III, and Bobby Joe James. In print the names are straight forward. Listen to the captains pronounce them on the vhf and it's a complete different language!
When we got to the Tom Bevill Lock we had to wait for a tow to lock down. Having been in the area before, I thought we should check out the marina just above the lock. Docker's Inn had thought about staying there so it seemed appropriate to pull in and anchor in their cove so they could get a good look at the place. Let's say they were not impressed.
Along the way we passed an anchorage and upon looking back into it we saw s/v Lollygag. Both Docker's Inn and I commented on how we have seen them at various times on the loop and that they somehow keep pace with us. Tortoise and the hare?
With the wait at the lock our timing was off to reach an anchorage below the Wilkins Lock that we have stayed in before so plan B took effect. Sumpter Landing about 4 miles above the lock. What a tranquil spot! That is after the pucker factor subsided from the low water alarm going off as we entered. Once in we had plenty of water and enough room for both boats to anchor and swing around.
11/2/11 Wednesday Sunrise was spectacular in the anchorage. That is right up to the time a southbound tow went by.
Knowing that we would have to wait on him at the lock I turned on the vhf to listen to the chatter between the tow and the lock. Horrors! There was another southbound tow just getting into the lock! Don't they know we're ready to go? There's an old saying here that I won't repeat but it ends with "relax and enjoy it"!
A bit later I called the lock and a most congenial lock master said he would give me a call when the 2nd tow exited the lock, which he did.
Once through the lock we again settled into a pace that had us catch and pass both tows that we had waited on at the lock. About 10 miles above Demopolis, Al. we passed s/v Freedom who we had anchored with a few nights ago. We also passed what looked liked a school project gone wrong. Someone apparently tried to make a sailboat from saplings and poly tarps. Oops!
Shortly after passing the Kon-Tiki we pulled into Demopolis Yacht Basin to fuel and spend the night. Demopolis is a commercial fueling port for the tows that ply the Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers. Sitting at the fuel dock was the m/v Bobby Joe James who we passed yesterday.
We fueled and were given the option of staying in the old section of the marina or the newly opened section. Once Pam, the laundry freak found out that the laundry was on the dock in the new facility the deal was sealed! Still not complete, Demopolis will be a great place to stop or even leave your boat in the future.
Yea! I think it's on the bottom right. Paint looks the same.
ReplyDeleteCan't remember how many times we stopped and /or stayed at Columbus Marina. Before and with T Caldwell who is one great local and colorful friend. His hospitality and stories and second to none. Kind of miss the cruise from there to Mobile, but not enough to head back, yet.
ReplyDeleteRick, Deb & Izzy