Quiet Day

Wednesday, November 9

Getting up early seems like a habit again. Thought we lost that habit when we retired! Start the generator, make coffee, and go down the river. Wait, we have to pull the anchor up. A lot of tugging for 30 minutes so Kelly goes to get a saw to cut the anchor line! I give it one last pull and the anchor comes free. Now we go down the river.

I did get a cell signal long enough to see we have a new President. Could be an interesting future.
                                

We are aiming for 50+ miles today to stop at Bobby's Fish Camp - the only marina (?) from Demopolis to Mobile. It is really just a fuel stop and a restaurant. Of the 5 boats that stopped only three are staying--Sea Cow from Michigan, Lando-Nai from Louisville, and us. One of the boaters called the owner since the restaurant is usually closed on Wednesdays. Get 6 people and they will cook for us. Yay! "Mustang" Sally fried everything - catfish, sweet potato fries, okra, and pickles - enough food for a dozen people! And no political talk!

Late Night, Not Early Morning

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 ELECTION DAY

Well, Kelly worked late last night replacing the main bilge pump and then he had to change out the pump in the shower sump. So he is sleeping in this morning. I am watching the Loopers not leaving? They all talked about being at the lock at 6:30 this morning, but there is a backup of tows. The Loopers pull out at 8 and down the river they go. We finally pull out at 9:30 to get fuel and then to the lock. After we get into the chamber, the Demopolis lockmaster said to look starboard after exiting. This is the prettiest lock we have ever seen. 

Here's another section of the waterway called the washing machine. The waves hit the rock face and bounce right back at you. It stretches through a curve almost a mile long. I bet if we were in there with a barge it would feel like a washing machine!

Hey, do you remember seing a video of the barge Cahaba rolling under a bridge during a flood? It was the Old Rooster Bridge (now demolished). We passed right by there, glad the river is not flooding.

Wow, so much excitement for the day. We are anchored at the mouth of Beaver Creek just out of the main channel. Kelly was cooking and as it happens, we ran out of propane. Up to the flybridge to change out bottles.

And by the way, we did send in absentee ballots last week, but no cell service at the anchorage and no watching election results! Lucky us.

Keep Your Fingers Crossed

Monday, November 7, 2016

Awake early to watch the other Loopers leave for the Demopolis Locks 3 miles downriver. The repair yard came over to look at the leak, but nothing was visible from inside the boat. They want to look at the outside.

 

Still up in the lift, they took off the prop and pulled on the bolts that hold the cutlass bearing plate. The mechanic pulled out the top bolt with his fingers, the bottom bolt was secure. 

                                                      

          It took about 4 hours, but we are fixed and back in the water.
   
                                                    BOAT: Bring Out Another Thousand

          We will leave Demopolis tomorrow!!!!

It's a Beautiful Morning

Friday, November 4, 2016

We left Columbus Marina with several other boats and went through the lock together, but we traveled leisurely all day and then anchored in an oxbow before it got too dark.

Saturday travel was quiet-not much river traffic, but there were several interesting sites. These beautiful white cliffs of Epes line the river for about a mile.

And for emergencies you never know when you need to make a phone call!

We arrived at Demopolis about 5 pm. We will stay at Kingfisher Bay Marina at least through Monday. The boat has developed a leak.....