Taking a Break!

October 29-November 30

The month of November has certainly had its ups and downs!  When we first arrived the weather was very nice, so we dropped the dinghy and investigated some of the backwater areas close to the marina.  The dolphins entertained us as we slowly made our way through the myriad of passages, until we had to turn back toward the bay.  With the exception of a few windows of sunshine and comfortable temperatures, that excursion was the last until this past week.  We loved having the opportunity to see our grandchildren, Moira and Sellers, perform their band halftime shows and compete as goalies with their respective Escambia High School soccer teams.  My cousin, Butch and his wife, Janet, live in Foley, so we were happy to have time to spend with them.  We enjoyed some great food and some exciting football at their home.  Our family enjoyed our "Thankmas" holiday this past week at a beach house in Perdido Key.  We celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday, Christmas on Friday, and cheered (rather rambunctiously) for our favorite team on Saturday.  Roll Tide!  Sadly, we have all gone our separate ways once again.  Thankfully all of our family have returned to their homes safe and sound with wonderful memories of their time at the beach.  I hated to have the week come to an end, but after spending a month here, Jess and I are ready to continue our adventure.  This time we will be experiencing cruising in the ICW and at times venturing out into the gulf.

 

We bundled up one day to take a hike on some of the backcountry trails in Gulf State Park.  This guy wasn't interested in showing his face, but at least he hung around long enough for a picture.  We also saw a real live armadillo, a nice little snake, and a beautiful hawk on our walk.

 

Stripping the turkey of its cover of bacon is a traditional part of every Williams Thanksgiving feast.  Laura's handy work disappears quickly as everyone gets a taste.

 

 

Tammy and Dave working their way through the line of food as they try to fit everything on their plates.  With this many people for dinner it is just a matter of self service and finding a spot to sit.

A walk on the beach after dinner proved to be fun as we discovered a tidal pool full of a variety of star fish.

 

       It can be a series of comedic events when trying to get 21 people ready for the

 timer to go off on the camera.

           The sunrise on our last day together at the beach.  We have a had a wonderful time.

 

Saturday turned out to be the prettiest day of the week, and an absolutely beautiful day to go on a cruise.  The dolphins performed to perfection, as they played in the water pushed out by the bow of the boat.

The Scenery Changes

Day 19
October 29, 2014

Depart: Anchorage at I-65 bridge/7:33
Arrive: Barber Marina/4:47

Weather conditions: sunny

No casual trip down the river for us today.  It is time to face Mobile Bay with its very busy harbor.  Shortly after leaving our anchorage we meet up once again with Shippery and Andiamo, so that makes three of us cruising around the congestion of the Mobile waterfront.  Just like everything else we have worried about, this too proves to be no big deal.  We will be staying at Barber Marina until December 1, when we will continue our journey.

Arriving at the 14 mile railroad bridge with just a few more turns before we will be able to see the city skyline.

The tall buildings of downtown Mobile clash with the warehouses of the waterfront.  There are huge container ships being unloaded and a variety of military ships at the docks.

                    All of the freighters have escape pods like the one used by Captain Phillips.

                               The view of the city is certainly different from this perspective.

Sliding by these huge ships is just a little bit intimidating. One of the guys working on the ship to our port (left for you landlubbers) radioed down to us wanting to know what kind of boat we have.  He made Jess' day.



Shipperly and Andiamo were parting ways for awhile here.  Evidently they needed to make an exchange.  Where there is a will there is a way, even in the middle of Mobile Bay.

 We were excited when the dolphins started swimming and playing all around us.  I think they were actually hanging with the many shrimp boats working in the bay, but they came and checked us out too.

This guy gave us a feeling for what it will be like when we have to deal with waves in the gulf.  He didn't worry about slowing down to minimize his wake, so we had quite a ride.

The lighthouse in Mobile Bay stands watch over the tranquil waters, as we follow the navigational markers.

We have finally entered the Intracoastal Waterway.  If we were not so anxious to reach our marina, we would stop for supper at Lulu's.  For now we will just wave as we go by.

                                      Our home for the month of November. 

Almost to Salt Water!

Day 18
October 28, 2014

Depart: Anchorage at mm95/7:11
Arrive: Anchorage at I-65 Bridge/3:40

Weather Conditions: another perfect day

We really covered the miles today.  With no locks to work through we just set a course for down river and off we went.  We did meet 4 tows heading up the river that slowed us down a little.  This part of the lower Black Warrior has many switch backs that are not the best places to meet up with a barge. Pleasure craft have to time their meetings so that there is plenty of room for both vessels.  There is also more industry along this stretch, probably because of its proximity to Mobile.

                                     Some of the many industries lining the riverfront. 

Our anchorage today is at the 21mm just north of the I-65 bridge.  It is not going to be the quiet, peaceful anchorage that we are used to.

Our Final Locks (At Least for 2014)

Days 16 &17

October 26 & 27, 2014

Depart: Kingfisher Marina/6:44

Arrive: Anchorage at mm145/3:30

Depart: Anchorage/7:11

Arrive: Anchorage at mm95/4:07

Weather Conditions: cool mornings, sunny afternoons

An early morning was on tap for our exit from Kingfisher Marina.  There were 5 boats headed out, so the Demopolis Lock gave us a 7:00 time for lock down.  No problem, we seem to have adjusted quite nicely to cruising time.  Cruisers and farmers have at least one thing in common.  We start asking what time it is about 6:30, then struggle to stay up until 8 or 9.  Then, of course, we are up before daylight.  One looper told me that 9:00 is the looper's midnight.  I don't know what we will do when the time changes and it is dark at 6:00.  Sunday was an exciting day! We made our first siting of alligators as they lounged along the banks enjoying the sunshine.

There are many homes that hug the shore along the Tenn-Tom.  Some, like this one, are very nice, while others have definitely seen better days.

Not everyone can find a produce stand in the middle of nowhere. Jess and I took the dinghy over to the beach after we dropped anchor on Monday evening. As we walked along the sand we found a watermelon vine running across the beach. Obviously someone had picnicked here during the summer.  By the way, the watermelon was very good!

The sun peeks through the trees as we silently move out of our anchorage on the 27th.

After a two hour wait for a tow to lock down and another one to lock up, we finally were able to take our turn with four other loopers.  This picture shows us escaping captivity as we exit Coffeeville Lock.  

This is our last lock until we reach the Erie Canal.  This lock is number 15 for us. The other loopers began their trip in Florida. They were congratulating themselves on making it through almost 200 locks.  We obviously have quite a few more to go!

Roll Tide! (Again)

Day 15

October 25, 2014

Depart: Anchorage/7:40

Arrive: King Fisher Marina, Demopolis/1:30

Weather Conditions: won't last forever, cool mornings, nice afternoons

Short day today!  We have about 50 miles to go to get to TV.  Yes, I know we need some fuel, a pump out, and full water tanks, but let's get real, the reason we are stopping at the marina is actually TV.  This is a very nice marina, with all of the things that are important to people that live in very small spaces.  The laundry is fantastic by marina standards, and the showers are very clean.  There is even a heated pool somewhere, although we have not searched for it.  No time, the games are starting!  We did take a short walk to stretch our legs, but it is now time to get the cable set up.

Cruising under the I59/20 bridge.  We have been traveling for two weeks and are now two hours from Birmingham!  Life on the water is not going to break any speed records.

The white cliffs at Epes were stunning in the morning sunshine.  There are some beautiful red trees that  contrast brilliantly with the chalk white slopes.  Unfortunately they don't show up that well here.  Again, I will add some from my camera later.

2 More Locks (Again)

Day 14

October 24, 2014

Depart: Columbus, MS/7:45

Arrive: Anchorage just below Heflin Lock/4:10

Weather Conditions: couldn't be better

Our initial plan for today was to get through Bevill Lock and then as close to Heflin Lock as we could get comfortably.  We did so well that we conquered both locks today.  That makes for an easy day getting to the marina tomorrow.  One of the Active Captain reviews for an anchorage we were going by mentioned that an alligator had been spotted there.  Jess has been on alligator watch ever since.  I think he is really set on sighting one before I do.  The challenge is on!  We did enjoy watching several bald eagles as we continued down the river.

This the snag boat Montgomery, a sternwheeler that in its day plied various southern waters.  She is now available for tours at the Tom Bevill Visitor's Center.  Hopefully I will have a better picture when I can get photos from my camera.

Jess did think about getting dressed today, but when I told him that teenagers wear their pajama bottoms to school all the time, he decided that was all the permission he needed.  I think the lock tender, a Mississippi State fan, was very understanding.  Although, when I gave him a "Roll Tide" he did threaten to not open the gates.

2 More Locks

Day 13
October 23, 2014

Depart: Aberdeen Marina/9:25
Arrive: Anchorage at Columbus, MS/2:40

Weather Conditions: very cool in the morning, beautiful afternoon

We started our day by waiting for some of the loopers who had stopped further up the river to catch up, so that we could lock through the Aberdeen Lock together.  When we know that there are other pleasure craft planning to lock down, we try to all go through together to save the lock tender from having to turn around the lock more often than they have to.  Jess and I don't plan too far ahead, but with ballgame day coming up we have planned to get below Stennis Lock today, so that we will be able to get to a marina on Saturday.  We anchored so close to Columbus, MS. that we were able to dinghy to a very nice Riverwalk Park that gave us access to the city where we had a nice walk through the historic district.  We then met George & Martha Alexander from Aunt Aggie for dinner.  I will add some pictures from Columbus later.

Following the markers through the Cypress Trees was no problem for Bama Dream's skillful captain.

We had to pull over to wait for this tow to get through Stennis Lock.  There are 12 locks on the Tenn-Tom, which would normally mean that there could be a lot of waiting, but the lock tenders are great about notitying the locks downriver of boats heading their way, so most of the time they are ready for us.

Cell coverage is definitely sketchy along this stretch, although I am not sure this is the answer to the problem. 

The home of Tennessee Williams has been restored and now serves as a Visitor Center in Columbus.  I am not sure the paint scheme is authentic, but it is pretty.

     We enjoyed strolling down the side streets of Columbus, where there are many stately antebellum homes.

             The sun had fallen into the river as we returned from our trip into Columbus, MS.