Still moving South

On our 8th day of travel we had a direct shot to Demopolis and the new Kingfisher Bay Marina. We were the first boat from our anchorage to arrive. And no it wasn't because we can run faster than the others. It was because we just got going earlier!

No wakes in front of us. Just reflections.

The fuel dock for Kingfisher Bay is still at the original location where they fuel the commercial tow boats so we popped in for fuel before heading to the slip. Long term plans are to move the fuel dock over to the new marina since the old dock is silting in.

We enjoyed our stay for 2 nights in a 60' covered slip not too far from the laundry. (A happy Pam!) The place was jumping with transients. Some Looper's. Some just going south.
We borrowed the courtesy car and checked out Demopolis. We both agreed that there wasn't much happening and headed back to the boat after our grocery stop and lunch at KFC.

One of the things we remembered about the place was the fried pickles at the marina restaurant. Certainly not a fancy spot but it turned out to be a fun stop. The pickles were the best part of the meal (next time stick to a burger) but the hospitality of the local bar patrons made up for the mediocre food. Yes we ate in the bar.
Several questions of where we were from and where we were headed. Offers of beer and marijuana and to join in on the dance floor. Even to stay and spend the week-end at a camp out with some of the locals!. We did dance and had several conversations including our last of the evening with two guys that work at the paper mill a few miles downstream from Demopolis. They said they would look for us in the morning and claimed they would be out on the tower next to the river in just suspenders and a tool belt! (got Pam's attention!) Unfortunately we were so excited to see them the next morning we forgot to take a picture.

The next morning came early and we along with 10 other boats paddled our way down to the lock. Tom from True North had called the lock earlier to get an approximate time for our arrival and notified most of the other boats. As always happens there were a few more that saw us leave and scrambled their crews to get underway also. Good thing for them since the lock was going to make some repairs after our lockage and wouldn't re-open until 10 a.m..

The local crowd at the marina bar ya'll.

Full moon over the boat parade heading to the lock.

10 bollards. 11 boats.

Looking over the gates before they drained the pool.

With 11 boats exiting the lock it took a few miles for everyone to find their pace but soon enough we all fell into place. The faster boats made it to Bobby's Fish Camp for the night. We along with one other boat anchored a few miles upstream in Okatuppa Creek. And several anchored further back in Bashi Creek.

Our view from Okatuppa Creek.

We woke early again and called the Coffeeville lock to check the status and were told to come on down. I knew we wouldn't be alone and when we got there 2 boats who had stayed at Bobby's were already in the lock waiting for us. Gates closed behind us and down we went. We came out in the fog but that didn't keep the two race horses from taking off into the mist.

Our morning ride to Coffeeville Lock.

The Tenn-Tom is an interesting river that can fluctuate almost overnight. When we came up in May we rose 10' in the Coffeeville Lock. This time we were lowered 35'. It was a pleasant run not having to fight the heavy current. Even so there are still buoys out of place or missing. Floating debris and some that was just stuck in place waiting to impale your hull.

Looks like it's been hit before.

Sights along the river bank range from abandoned cement terminals to campers on the beach. We even passed by a beach named after Pam's family.

Abandoned cement plant terminal.

Cottages along the river.

Campers on the beach.

Waites Bar Landing which Pam claims is named for her family.

Our day ended at an anchorage just off the channel on the Tensas River about 40 miles north of Mobile.

We slept in and finally got going around 6:45. A few miles down river I heard a northbound tow talking and knew he was getting close. Of course the river at this point doubles back on itself as it often does limiting your forward vision. I gave a call to him and discussed how we should pass or if he wanted me to wait for him to get around the corner. He chose for me to wait, which we did. He slid the tow around the corner and called us to say thanks and give us clearance to pass him on the 1 whistle. (Port to port).

North of Mobile we came to the 14 mile RR. bridge. It has a new opening span but it still needs to open for us to pass. A call got the response that he had to check with a scheduled train before he could let us through. 15 minutes later he radioed us to apologize for the wait and said it would be another 5 minutes. We finally got through never having seen a train.

New lift span at the 14 mile bridge.

Not long after we were entering the busy Mobile harbor area with barges and ships moving everywhere.

This guy turned around before docking.

Inbound ship.

More new Navy ships awaiting delivery.

Once out of Mobile it was just a few more miles to Dog River where we fueled and spent the night at Dog River Marina.

 Transiting the skinny channel into Dog River.

Once fueled we backed into our slip and were greeted by Jack & Patty from M/V Nearly Perfect. Jack introduced himself and much to my surprise said he had been reading our blog for the past couple of years. Later we had a pleasant time at docktails on the aft deck of Nearly Perfect. Thanks Jack & Patty for the hospitality!

Our weather was still holding so we kept pushing on leaving Dog River the next morning. The ship channel was somewhat busy with an outgoing ship and an incoming barge as well as a log that first looked like a whale.

Incoming sea going barge.

Outgoing log.

Once back in the GICW we passed LuLu's.

We also passed a new Saunders Yacht repair facility.

We finally entered Florida.

And ended our day at the Ft. McRee anchorage near Pensacola.

There were several Navy planes flying over us during our stay since N.A.S. Pensacola is adjacent and also the home of the Blue Angel's.

Sunset at Ft. McRee.

Underway

It's been awhile since my last post. In that time we made one last busy trip home before heading back to GTB. Of course we spent time with family and friends and took a few pictures.

Took a trip to Iowa to check out son Addam's new house construction.

Pam still trying to make Ellie into a priss.

Franklin riding Grandma Waites' goose.

Posing with Grandma & Grandpa Waites at Halloween.

In addition to the visits I think we ate our way around the area. I'm sure I consumed enough to last me to Mobile!

I was able to get in one last ride on the Mississippi when I helped deliver Vagabond to her winter storage in Sabula, Iowa. We were hoping to see the spectacular fall colors along the river but were content just to be able to see the channel due to the fog.

Tow traffic was still moving through the mist.

Passing the Penny Eckstein.

Lock 12 at Bellevue, Iowa.

Sabula RR Bridge.

The alcohol is masking the tears knowing that Vagabond will be in storage for 6 months.

The next day we, along with brother-in-law Bill took off for GTB. Bill went along to bring our car back home for us. We arrived in Kentucky in time for docktails.

Always time for docktails!

The plan was to take off on Monday but I got tangled up in a waxing project and a day of stormy weather delayed our departure until Wednesday.

Backing out of the slip for the last time.

So long GTB. It's been a great summer!

We had a great time at GTB these past few months making some new friends and being able to share our watery existence with friends and family from home. But now it's getting cold so it's time to head south.

Cutting across the Barkley Canal to pick up the Tennessee River.

Looking south across Kentucky Lake.

One last look behind.

We met the American Queen heading downstream on the Tennessee,

Our first day ended at the secluded Ft. Heimen anchorage which we had all to ourselves.

Day 2 greeted us with morning fog.

We picked up fuel at Pebble Isle Marina and continued on to a previously uncharted anchorage behind an island along the river.

Looking back at our anchorage.

Day three we passed under the I-40 bridge.

We anchored behind Swallow Bluff Island and were entertained by the wild goats on the island.

We enjoyed a beautiful sunset. And then it got cold!

Day four we woke up to 32 degree temps and had to wait for the fog to lift before moving on.

Pam & I noticed this house on the way up in May. Notice the erosion under the corner of the house.

We made it to Pickwick Lock where Pam had to bundle up.

We had planned on anchoring all the way to Columbus, Ms. but with even colder weather predicted we decided to pull into Aqua Yacht Harbor in Iuka, Ms.

The forecast was right on and we woke up to 25 degree temps and once again fog.

In spite of the fog and cold some people just have to fish.

Finally we were able to leave and head down the Divide Cut that joins the Tennessee and Tombigbee Rivers.

Transiting the Divide Cut.

Once again the forecast was for a cold night so we pulled into Midway Marina which looks like it is set in the middle of a swamp.

The real bonus to this stop was being able to visit with Gary and Erlene Nelson who used to boat out of Midtown Marina in East Dubuque but moved their boat to Midway a few years back. It was fun reminiscing and comparing notes about people and places we know in common.

Day 6 dawned cold but with no fog. It was just a short ride to our first lock.

It was a pleasant days travel which ended at Columbus Marina in Columbus, Ms.

Thai Suites III has been in Columbus since our first time through in 2008.

Another fixture at Columbus is T. Caldwell who manages the marina. A true Southern character if ever there was one!

Of course we used the courtesy car to go into town and enjoy a delicious meal at Huck's Place.

On the seventh day of travel we started running into the floating islands of hyacinth.

Hey Rick & Deb of Broulee. The phone booth is still in position!

We hit all three locks perfectly and anchored in the oxbow below the Heflin Lock. This was our first shared anchorage with other boats since we left GTB.