For the first time in several days we woke up to sunshine! It looks like a good day to head into the remote parts of Alabama.
We cast off the lines around 7 and got underway. The wind was out of the NW between 10 and 15 mph making for a 1' to 2' chop on Mobile Bay. As we neared the junction of the Mobile Ship Channel a freighter went by headed into town. Easy peasy. Just follow him and I should stay in the channel.
He's running away from me!
We had plenty of winged escorts.
The Battleship Alabama keeps vigil over the city.
Remember the movie Captain Phillips? That's a long drop for that orange lifeboat!
Then out of the blue we had a Homeland Security boat right beside us telling us that they want to board us. Just hold your course and we'll step over they said.
Three Coast Guardsmen came onboard.
The boat trailed along just off our stern with the blue lights going. Cool! An escort!
Their first question was if we had any firearms onboard? They checked our paperwork and asked questions about where we started and where we were going. They looked in the cabin and in the engine room and wanted to know if we had been out of the country on our journey north.
They took our drivers licenses and ran a check for any outstanding warrants. I was worried about Pam's past catching up with her!
Satisfied that we weren't a risk they stepped back across to their boat and zipped off.
These guys were very polite. Not demanding. And fine representatives of our country. We thanked them for their service and they were on their way. It made us proud to be Americans!
Remember that ship we were following?
He was pulling a U-turn in front of us effectively blocking the channel.
We travelled past Big Bayou Canot where in 1993 an errant tow boat ran into the above bridge causing an Amtrak train to crash.
Of course the 14 mile bridge was closed.
The Barry Steam Plant. You can see it from every angle and it never seems to get any closer.
We spotted this guy resting on the bank.
And we met several towboats. Usually on one of the many 90 degree corners.
We ended our day after 55 miles anchored with one other boat at the Tensas River, mm 39.3.
After a good nights sleep we were underway again travelling deeper into the wilderness. Periodically I would call out our location over the vhf to let any towboats know where we were. Without AIS on Tourist I wanted to avoid a surprise meeting on any of the blind corners on the river.
This can be quite the surprise if you don't expect it!
We continued pushing our way up the slightly swollen river past sights we've seen before.
Each time we go by this guy has a little less front yard.
We made our way to the first lock at Coffeeville and were lifted 16 feet. Normally the lift is around 30'.
Pam at work in the lock.
We continued past Bobby's Fish Camp. (Been there, Done that!)
We ended our day anchored in Okatuppa Creek at mm 123.3.
Since it was Cinco de Mayo we celebrated with chips, salsa, and Margaritas!
Occasionally we would swing a bit close to the shore.
We awoke to 49 degree temps! Where did that come from? We had also turned completely around in this confined space. At least we were pointing towards the channel.
I thought we were facing the other way last night?
A beautiful sunrise on the Tenn-Tom.
You know it's cool when we break out the slipper socks!
We travelled north passing one of the Loopers favorite anchorages, Bashi Creek which was occupied by an excursion boat.
The Bama Belle. After we passed he pulled out and headed south.
The Tenn-Tom is a winding river that has you going towards every point on the compass.
We're supposed to be travelling north!
No wonder the compass is spinning!
Below Demopolis we passed the remains of the Rooster Bridge which was where back in 1979 a towboat hit it. Rolled under it and came up on the lower side still running. There are pictures out there somewhere that show the event as it happened.
We were able to let Tourist run in some of the straighter remote areas which got us to Demopolis before closing.
Pam on station in Demopolis Lock.
A few miles more and we were at the Demopolis fuel dock and then to our slip in the newer section of the marina.
Demopolis fuel dock. Towboats on one side and pleasure boats around back.
Tourist resting at Kingfisher Bay Marina in Demopolis, Al.
The storage yard at Demopolis.
Vacant slips at Kingfisher Bay.
The Kingfisher Bay section of the marina is typically a hurricane haven for many boats. I was surprised to see so many slips empty. The good news for us was that with so many vacancies Pam had a clear shot at the very convenient laundry!
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