How Many Places

Wednesday - Saturday, November 16-19, 2016

Orange Beach, Pensacola, Panama City, Port St. Joe

The weather is so perfect for traveling--bright sun, a little breeze, and mid 70s. We finally arrive in Florida (notice the sunshine).

And I have been trying to take a good picture of the super moon, but this is the best view I find from Pensacola Beach Marina. I hope you all saw it better in person.

We have had several nights of anchoring out and taking pictures. Ann of the boat 'Sea Cow' captured this picture of us letting the anchor down east of Choctawhatchee Bridge near Panama City.  At sunset we could hear taps  being played from Tyndell Air Force Base.

The dolphins have been going along with us, but I haven't been able to get any real good pictures yet. But the sunrise this morning was great. Ann gets a super picture of us!

The weather will get cold tonight so we pulled into a marina at Port St. Joe. The weather is still nice enough to walk around town too see the lighthouse and get a few things from Piggly Wiggly.

What a Place in Orange Beach

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

We finally depart Fairhope (Mobile) Alabama late morning, but only travel about 30 miles to The Wharf Marina.

Wow what a marina! A luxury marina! With a hotel, condos, and a 10,000 seat amphitheater--recent concert featured Miranda Lambert. It also had an open mall with boutiques, restaurants, and a ferris wheel! The Food Network was there filming a world cook off although we did not see any celebrities. We highly recommend that if you are in the area, come by The Wharf.

Zoom

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Found out Pensacola Naval Air Station is having an air show. We rented a car from Enterprise and drove the hour from Fairhope to Pensacola to see the Blue Angels--always a treat to watch them perform!

This plane is very similar to the one Kelly flew in as a radio operator when he was in the Navy (ask him about flying in hurricanes!).

Sunday and Monday, November 13 and 14, 2016

We are traveling with "Sea Cow" (Paul and Ann) that goes about the same speed as us. We are relaxing at the marina a few days while they wait on some mail. "Adventure Quest" (Diny) shows up and we have a group spaghetti dinner and talk about all our adventures on the Tenn-Tom River. 

Doubleback

Thursday and Friday, November 10 and 11, 2016

Departed Bobby's Fish Camp, traveled 2 miles to Coffeeville Lock mile marker 116, in and out of the lock by 7:15. This is the last lock on the Tenn-Tom River system. 

We went in every direction today - north south east and west at least 3 times!! On one turn we traveled 4 miles around  to go 1 mile south. As Kelly's Grandmother Lawrence used to say "kiss me ass" turns. The chart shows the river like a brown snake curled near the bottom of the page.

We cannot get to Mobile Bay today, so another night to anchor out. We followed Sea Cow all day and they have a recommendation for an anchorage. We go up a narrow side river that opens to a small lake-like area where 3 rivers meet.

The next morning had smoke-like mist on the water. "Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning" only brought clouds all day.

By mid afternoon we hit the industrial shipyards of Mobile, Alabama. Commercial ships being repaired and Navy ships being built--all good for the economy.

And then we get to Mobile Bay. We have been in a small river and small lakes behind the dams for weeks, so the bay is huge. We made our way to the marina at Fairhope Alabama to relax.

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!!!!