DEMOPOLIS, AL

Wednesday, October 29th to Friday, October 31st, 2014

Day 86-88
Miles Traveled: 0
Total Miles Traveled: 1827


  Wednesday morning several boats left the marina and began their journey south.  This allowed us to move over to the main dock.  We were fortunate to get one of the covered slips.  This was a happy surprise, since we plan to make a trip back home for a few days, and a covered slip will protect the boat better.  

Main dock slips at Kingfisher Bay Marina

  Thursday we did laundry in the morning - the laundry facilities here are very nice.  After lunch, we took a walk to Demopolis, AL and toured the Bluff Hall antebellum house museum.  It was built by slaves in 1832 by Allen Glover for his daughter Sarah and her husband Francis Lyon.  Mr. Lyon was a plantation owner, lawyer, and congressman. Originally built with red brick Federal style structure, it was modified in 1840's by painting it white with an addition or front porch with columns to give it a more Greek Revival appearance.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluff_Hall

Bluff Hall

  Friday morning it was off to get our rental car.  Fred, the owner of the marina, was kind enough to loan us his truck to go and get the closest rental car some 50 miles away.  Unfortunately the local car rental place we had booked with originally had a 250 mile radius restriction, so that was not going to work for our trip back to Kentucky and Ohio.  We had to go to Plan B.  
  We defrosted the fridge and freezer in the afternoon.  We try and defrost when it is almost empty and convenient for us.  The fridge/freezer is not "frost-free", and when not hooked to dockside power runs off of the batteries.  The "frost-free" feature would cause the batteries to "go flat" in no time.  This job has to be comleted about once a month.  Another "fun" job Dan tackled was pumping out the waste holding tank (sewage tank).  This job has to be done about every 5 days.  YUCK!!  Not one of the more glamorous aspects of cruising, but has to be done.  
  We did get to have some fun in the evening.  The local boaters at Kingfisher Bay Marina had a Halloween Party and invited the transient boaters to join the party.  There was lots of good "treats", but not many "tricks".  There were a few who even dressed up in their best costumes.  Dan and Angie went as boaters (not very original - there were a lot of boaters dressed up as "a boater"). 

Halloween Costumes

  Saturday we are headed to Kentucky and Ohio to catch up with friends and family.  Will return soon to get the blog going again.          

UPPER COOKS BEND CUT OFF ON TENN-TOM IN AL TO DEMOPOLIS, AL

Tuesday, October 28th, 2014

Day 85
Miles Traveled: 61
Total Miles Traveled: 1827


  We got a later start than usual due to heavy fog on the river.  It finally dissipated about 9:00 am and we pulled up anchor and headed down the waterway.

Fogged in

  

  We had an international convoy - "Untide", from New Zealand, was in the lead and "Pimaro" from French Quebec brought up the rear.  It made for interesting VHF talk due to all the accents.  There were a few "Can you repeat that" that occurred.  They were both a joy to travel with and hope to see them again along the waterway.  They both stopped at an anchorage as we motored on to the marina.


  Most of the scenery today was flat land with trees on each embankment, with the exception of one section.  This area is called the White Cliffs of Epes.  These cliffs are part of the Selma Chalk formations.  The white backdrop was more stunning with the fall red color in the trees. 

White Cliffs of Epes

Fall colors on the White Cliffs of Epes

  We left the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway when the Black Warrior River entered just before Demopolis, AL.  We are now traveling on the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway which will take us to the Mobile River and Mobile, AL.  The Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway is older than the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.  Between 1888 and 1915 many locks and dams were created to make this waterway navigable.  This waterway runs from the start of the Black Warrior River at Mulberry Fork to the Mobile River.  We will only be traveling on the last section of this waterway.

To left is Tenn-Tom and to right is Black Warrior River entering to form the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway

  Our final destination after passing the entry of the Black Warrior River was Kingfisher Bay Marina.  This is a popular stopping off place for the many cruisers that are heading south for the winter.  It is one of the last fuel stops before getting to Mobile, AL and has a full marina with boat repair available.  This time of the year they are VERY busy.  Due to some incoming weather, many boaters had chosen to stay an extra day or two.  As such, they did not have a slip on the main marina dock and we were put on the transient dock until someone left.  We still had all the necessary amenities - water and electric, but did not have access to dockside pump out or cable TV.  Hopefully, we will be moved over to one of the main slips in a couple of days.    
  

PICKENSVILLE, AL TO UPPER COOKS BEND CUT OFF ON TENN-TOM IN ALABAMA

Monday, October 27th, 2014

Day 84
Miles Traveled: 29
Total Miles Traveled: 1766


  We were able to sleep in a little since our planned anchorage was not very far away.  We threw off the lines about 9:30 am and the convoy of "Sundowner", "El Nido", "Pimaro" (a sailboat), and "Galena" (who is not a looper and just bought his, of all things, Mainship 350/390 (our boat)) headed toward Bevill Lock.  Three other southbound cruisers locked through as well, so we had 8 boats in the chamber - that was a record number for us.


  We saw a lot more eagles today.  Two of them posed nicely just before we locked through.  Many were flying around and we even saw a young one whose head hadn't turned white yet. 

Two eagles ready for their picture

Young eagle

  The Tenn-Tom Waterway christened our bow.  As we were heading into our selected anchorage we inadvertently beached the bow of the boat on a mud shoal (shallow area) off the entry point.  The depth finder which is located in about the middle of the boat was still reading 24 feet, so we both had very confused looks on our faces when we came to an abrupt halt.  Fortunately, since it was a very quick drop off, we were not "hard aground" (stuck on land) and were able to back the bow of the boat off of the shoal.  We decided to move further downriver to another anchorage and that endeavor was much more successful.  "Pimaro" joined us in this anchorage.  

Upper Cooks Bend Cut Off Anchorage

  

COLUMBUS, MS TO PICKENSVILLE, AL

Saturday, October 25th to Sunday, October 26th, 2014

Day 82-83
Miles Traveled on Sunday: 28
Total Miles Traveled: 1737

  Saturday we watched as several boats left the marina to head further south.  Frank and Gail aboard "Double Time" was one of the ones who left.  We said our "See Ya' Laters" and sent her on her way.  We hope to meet up with them again on the waterways.  We decided to stay behind and get some things done - groceries and a haircut for Angie.  This is the third haircut for Angie so far this trip, and the last two have been done at Smart Style in WalMart due to convenience.  Surprisingly, both times have given excellent results.  Unless this luck changes, Angie is going to continue getting her haircuts at WalMart.

  

  Sunday we were the lead boat going into Stennis Lock.  There were 5 other boats that locked through with us.  Shortly after leaving Stennis Lock we came across a field of water hyacinths taking up the entire width of the waterway.

Water hyacinths taking over the waterway

  We decided to "make salad" and pave the way for the boats behind us.

Paving the way. Salad dressing anyone?

  We came across not one, but two, additions to the "You Never Know What You Are Going to See on the River".  We are on the "River Section" of the Tenn-Tom Waterway so they still count.  We never expected to see a phone booth available along the shore.  Unfortunately, there was not a dock there, so using it would be very challenging.  We also found this totem pole to be in an unusual location - on the river bank. 

 

Phone Booth

Totem Pole

  We checked out a couple of anchorages around the Pickensville, AL area and did not find them to our satisfaction.  So, we docked with some of the others at Pirates Marina Cove.  We used the courtesy van to check out the Tom Beville Visitor Center and the Snagboat "Montgomery".  Unfortunately, these two are only open Wed-Fri, so we only got to gaze at them from the outside.

  The Tom Bevill Visitor Center is housed in a reproduction of a Greek Revival antebellum home.  Tom Bevill is the name of the local lock and many of these locks have visitors centers associated with them, but none this elaborate. 

Tom Bevill Visitors Center

  The snagboat "Montgomery" was one of the hardest working snagboats in the Southeast.  What is a snagboat?  A snagboat is a steam boat that removed snags, underwater trees, stumps, or branches that created obstructions to river navigation.  A large grapple or clamshell on the boat's boom would pull the obstacles from the river.  The "Montgomery" was built in 1926.  She (boats are usually referred to as female) first worked along the Tenn-Tom Waterway and she later was moved to Florida.  She was retired in November 1982.  At the time of her retirement, she was one of two remaining steam powered snagboats in the United States and the last sternwheel work boat operating on any southern river.  To read more about "Montgomery" go to:  http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/TennesseeTombigbeeWaterway/SnagboatMontgomery.aspx 

Snagboat "Montgomery"

COLUMBUS, MS

Friday, October 24th, 2014

Day 81
Miles Traveled: 0
Total Miles Traveled: 1709


  We spent the day with Gail and Frank ("Double Time") touring some of Columbus, MS using the marina's courtesy car.  We have found these courtesy cars to be very helpful and are glad the marinas are able to provide this service. 

  We started at the Columbus, MS Visitor's Center.  This is housed in the first home of Tennessee Williams, famous for the Pulitzer Prize winning "Street Car Named Desire".  His birth name was Thomas Lanier Williams, but he got the nickname "Tennessee" from his college days at University of Iowa due to his southern accent.  His father and mother were both Tennessee natives.  He lived in this home for about three years before his father moved the family to St. Louis, MO

First Home of Tennessee Williams

  We also toured the Waverley Plantation Mansion.  We only were able to do an abbreviated tour since the courtesy car is given for two hour blocks and the mansion was located about 20 minutes away.  The mansion was built in 1852 by Colonel George Hampton Young who was from Georgia.  The mansion is 8,000 square feet, three stories, and filled with Italian and Grecian marble and gorgeous woodwork.  The plantation eventually comprised 50,000 acres.  This cotton plantation was a self-sustaining community with gardens, livestock, brick kiln, cotton gin, ice house, marble-lined swimming pool, and bath houses.  Colonel Young had 10 children.  After the death of the last son in 1913, the plantation began to decline, and actually stood vacant for 50 years.  In 1962, Robert and Madonna Snow purchased the mansion and restored it to its past glory with the help of their children.  Robert and his daughter, Melanie, still live in the mansion, and Melanie is the tour guide.  To see more pictures of the mansion go to: http://www.newsouthernview.com/pages/nsv_ie_waverley.html

Waverley Plantation Mansion

  For dinner we went to J. Broussard's with Tom & Linda on "Raydiance" and Frank & Gail on "Double Time".  The menu is mostly New Orleans style food and it was delicious.  To check out the menu click here:  http://jbroussards.com/menu.html 
Another great meal with a great group of people.         

SMITHVILLE, MS TO COLUMBUS, MS

Thursday, October 23rd, 2014

Day 80
Miles Traveled: 42
Total Miles Traveled: 1709

  We started the morning with a beautiful sunrise which we viewed from inside Wilkens Lock.  This was the first of three locks that we went through on this day.

Sunset in Whitten Lock

  

  We again traveled with Tom and Linda aboard "Raydiance".  They did a great job leading us through the locks and waterway.  The morning started out with some fog as we entered the channel just past Wilkens Lock.  The fog seemed to hang in the middle of the channel as seen in picture below.  At times we were unable to see "Raydiance" ahead of us, but we could see the bank.

"Raydiance" is directly ahead of us

Now you can see her

  After Aberdeen Lock we left the "Canal Section" and entered the "River Section" of the Tenn-Tom.  This section has many twists and turns and goes on for 150 miles in total.  Along this section, there can be forests that seem flooded and banks that are eroded.

Shoreline on Tenn-Tom "River Section" - forest in water

Shoreline on Tenn-Tom "River Section" - eroded banks

  Some areas of the channel along this section can be narrow, making for close quarters if meeting a tow.  We could almost reach out and shake the tow captains hand with this passing.

Passing closely to a tow boat with barges

  We ended our cruise day at Columbus Marina in (guess where) Columbus, MS.  There were many other Looper boats already docked at this marina, so we got to visit again with some of the couples we had met at the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous in Rogersville, AL.

Columbus Marina

  Dinner was at Hucks with Tom & Linda ("Raydiance") and Frank & Gail ("Double Time").  We had a fabulous time with great southern cajun food and lots of laughs. 

BAY SPRINGS LAKE, MS TO SMITHVILLE, MS

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Day 79
Miles Traveled: 35
Total Miles Traveled: 1667

 

  We completed our travels of "The Divide" and began traveling the "Canal Section" of the Tenn-Tom Waterway.  This section consists of  dams and pools connected to form a nine foot waterway along the canal.  The entire "Canal Section" is about 55 miles long and consists of  six locks. The locks along this section are all identical and relatively close together with some being only five miles apart.  This section starts after Whitten Lock.

Leaving Whitten Lock

  The convoy of "Seahorse", "Raydiance", and "Bodacious" started at Whitten lock and continued for most of the day.

Convoy starting down the "Canal Section" after leaving Whitten Lock

  We went through a total of four locks, and in between these locks, the scenery was mostly nature.  In one day, we had gone a little more than half way and through half of the locks on the "Canal Section".

"Canal Section" of Tenn-Tom

  We dropped our anchor just upriver from Smithville Marina.  This anchorage was not very protected.  We had some wind and chop, so the boat moved around and waves kept a constant melody going, but we were safe and out of harms way.  Not one of the best anchorages, but one of the better ones in this section of the waterway. 

IUKA, MS TO BAY SPRINGS LAKE, MS

Monday, October 20th to Tuesday, October 21st, 2014

Day 77-78
Miles Traveled on Tuesday: 37
Total Miles Traveled: 1632


  Monday was a day to get some jobs done.  Angie went for groceries while Dan cleaned the boat.  We were supposed to get the autopilot fixed, however, the technician had a family emergency and was unable to start the work.  We decided to go ahead and move along the next day and have it fixed at another marina.  We enjoyed a nice dinner with fellow loopers, Frank and Gail aboard "Double Time". 

  Tuesday our journey was taking us down the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.  This waterway connects the Tennessee River with the Tombigbee River at Demopolis, AL and runs a total of 233 miles.  This project began in 1972 and was the largest civil works project ever undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers.  More earth was moved to create this waterway than what was moved to make the Panama Canal.  Construction at its peak employed more than 5,000 people and cost nearly two billion dollars.  It was dedicated in June 1985, but (believe it or not) it was completed ahead of schedule and the towboat "Eddie Waxler" was the first to use the new route in January 1985.  The waterway is divided into 3 sections - "Divide Cut", "Canal Section", and the "River".

  The "Divide Cut" connects the Tennessee River with the Tombigbee River.  It is basically a "Ditch" with water. 

Divide Cut on Tenn-Tom

  Along the way, we saw structures called "baffles" which are used to prevent creeks from "rushing into" the waterway.

Baffles on Tenn-Tom 

  This boat, which we saw before entering the "Divide Cut" could have used some rushing water.

Boat aground - SAD !

  One town had to be moved for the building of the Tenn-Tom Waterway.  A marker was placed along the bank to mark the original location of the town of Holcut, MS.

Original Site of Holcut, MS

  At the end of the "Divide Cut", the channel ends with the beautiful Bay Springs Lakes.

Bay Springs Lake

  This lake is full on little fingers that are great for anchoring.  We found a nice anchorage in the Cotton Springs finger.  We got in early enough that we had time to take the dinghy to a dock on shore and walk for a while on a back country road.  It was very quiet and peaceful.  Then back to the boat to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Anchorage on Bay Springs Lake

Sunset at Bay Springs Lake anchorage

ROGERSVILLE, AL TO IUKA, MS

Saturday, October 18th to Sunday, Oct 19th, 2014

Day 75-76
Miles Traveled on Sunday: 64
Total Miles Traveled: 1595

  Saturday was a relaxing day on the dock.  We choose to stay another day at Joe Wheeler State Park Marina since the river was going to be closed off and on at Florence, AL for dragon boat races.  The marina had cable hook-ups, so, we were able to watch the Buckeyes beat Rutgers (new to the Big 10 this year).  The Buckeyes gave them a BIG "Welcome to the Big 10 - This is how it's done!".  We watched a few other college football games throughout the day.  We retired early in the evening in preparation for an early morning departure with Paul and Stephanie aboard "Infinite Sea".

  
  Sunday we were up before daylight getting ready to cast off lines for planned departure of about 6:30 am.  Paul heard on the VHF that a tow boat was going to be arriving at Wheeler Lock at 7:00 am and it was 6:15 am.  We hurried and got ourselves ready and made it to the lock in time to lock through ahead of the tow, which saved us about a 3 hour wait.  

 We had a spectacular sunrise this morning as we made our way to the lock. The day was cool and only in the upper 40's to mid 50's for most of the morning.  It is a good thing we have a fully enclosed flybridge (upper deck of boat where we drive).  

Sunrise on the TN River

  We had a pleasant cruise to Wilson Lock and the lock master had the lock ready and waiting when we arrived.  Another fortunate event.  Wilson Lock is the highest drop we will have on this trip - 93 feet.  We have been through this lock once before, but then we were going upriver.  We are doing some back tracking from Chattanooga, TN to get onto the TN-Tombigbee Waterway that will take us down to Mobile, AL.  

Dan in Wilson Lock - helping to fend the boat off of the lock wall 

  Just past Wilson Lock is the town of Florence, AL.  We stayed at this harbor on the trip upriver.  At the entrance to the marina is a large tower structure that Dan is convinced is used to communicate with aliens.  He really is getting into this "Alien" thing.  Hopefully that will improve as we get further south and into palm trees and sand beaches. 

Entry to Florence Harbor Marina

Light fixture or Alien Communication Device ?

  We said goodbye to the Tennessee River and entered the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.  This waterway will take us 450 miles to Mobile, AL. 

Leaving the Tennessee River behind

Entering the TN-Tom Waterway

  We only traveled about 1.5 miles on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and docked at Aqua Yacht Harbor.  They have a good marine service center and we are going to have some work done on the auto-pilot before continuing down the waterway. 

     

ROGERSVILLE, AL - AGLCA FALL RENDEZVOUS

Saturday, October 11th to Friday, Oct 17th, 2014

Day 68-74
Miles Traveled: 0
Total Miles Traveled: 1531

  Saturday more "Looper" boats continued to arrive and the docks were getting full.  We spent Saturday cleaning the boat in preparation for the Rendezvous "Looper Crawl".  A "Looper Crawl" is basically on open house given by those who have come to the Rendezvous on their boat.  This allows other boaters to get an up close and personal look at all different types of boats.  Sometimes people are getting ideas on how to outfit their own boat for the trip, or, they are looking for ideas on what boat would be the right one for them.

Lots of boats have arrived for the Rendezvous

  Sunday we relaxed and continued to watch other boats as they arrived.  The relaxation came to a halt when we heard another boater calling for help.  Her husband had collapsed on the flybridge (upper deck).  A retired fire chief, Mark, and retired dentist/endodontist, Rick, were the first to arrive, and, Angie was shortly behind.  Rick's wife, Rose (also a trained in CPR), was propelled up to the deck with the aid of Mark's wife, Jane (a cheerleader style launch).  The gentleman went into full cardiac arrest and CPR was initiated.  Fortunately, Rick had an AED aboard.  A shock was initiated and we were able to get his pulse back.  The squad arrived and he was taken to a hospital in Florence, AL.  We learned later that evening that he was found to have blockages in several coronary arteries. Updates were given throughout the week and we were informed that he was doing great but would require cardiac bypass surgery.  The events of this evening are a great example of how you do not have control of the future, and, if you need help, other boaters are ready to do what they can to assist.

  Monday afternoon registration started for the Rendezvous followed by dinner.  For the next three days, there was a lot learned at presentations about segments of the trip and education about living aboard your boat.  Information Overload !! 
  Wednesday we were taken into the town of Rogersville, AL for a little shopping and dinner and a concert held in an old cotton gin.  We had a great time and did a lot of dancing. 

Dinner and dancing at the old cotton gin

  Friday we watched as many of the boats headed downriver to continue their journey.  We choose to stay for a few more days. We took another hike along some trails in the park - beautiful scenery and even saw some deer. We did manage to get some jobs done as well.  The autopilot has not been giving us an accurate course (direction we are going) for the past week.  Dan has done some trouble shooting with no success (checking connections, cleaning terminals, checking to make sure no metal is near the compass).  One last attempt, suggested by a marine electronic technician, was to try and re-calibrate the compass by going out in an open body of water and doing circles that take 3 minutes (that is easier said than done).  So, off we went, untied the lines, cruised in circles, still not getting the correct course reading.  Someone else is going to have to figure out how to fix this problem when we get to a marina with a service department.  At least the cruise was productive, we made it to the "pump out" station to empty our holding tank for our head (toilet).  Not a fun job, but one that has to be done.  We finally found the laundry room empty at 8:00 pm and did our laundry. This marina only had one washer and dryer, but, it got the job done.  

  We had a great time at the Rendezvous and met a lot of wonderful people who we hope to meet up with again on the waterways.

AGLCA Fall Rendezvous

     

ROGERSVILLE, AL

Friday, October 10th, 2014

Day 67
Miles Traveled: 0
Total Miles Traveled: 1531


  We took a mile hike along one of the trails at Joe Wheeler State Park.  Some trees are starting to show their fall colors, but most are still very green.  While hiking along the trail we saw a bit of wildlife - birds, squirrels, and one armadillo.  We did not know that armadillos lived in Alabama.  He did not seemed to be too disturbed that we were walking by. 

Armadillo - lost or at home?  

  Boats continued to arrive at Joe Wheeler State Park Marina in preparation for the upcoming AGLCA Fall Rendezvous.  Several came in the evening prior and several more arrived this morning and afternoon.  All are "Loopers".  We met over a dozen people just in one afternoon.  Lots of boat cards are being exchanged.  

"Looper boats" at Joe Wheeler - "Seahorse" is in the middle

  We attended our first official "dock tales".  "Dock tales" are gatherings of "Loopers" on the dock to socialize, eat, drink, and tell tales about the journey.  Sometimes you may know everyone there and other times you may be meeting new ones.  As many "Looper" veterans have said, a great part of this trip is the wonderful people you will meet along the way.  This evening we met quite a few and we are sure there will be more to come.    

HUNTSVILLE, AL TO ROGERSVILLE, AL

Friday, October 3rd to Thursday, October 9th, 2014

Day 60-66
Miles Traveled on Thursday: 56
Total Miles Traveled: 1531


  Friday we left Huntsville, AL and traveled to Mt. Carmel, IL for the Frick family reunion.  We visited with family on Saturday and helped to host the reunion on Sunday.  Food was eaten, games were played, catching up was achieved, remembering the past was done, and fun was had by all.  Dan and his brother, Jim, were this years corn hole tournament runners-up.  

  Monday was "travel back to the boat/home day".  We had fun driving the little Fiat.

  Tuesday was daily living jobs - laundry, groceries, cleaning, etc.  
  Wednesday we had one job left to do and then got to relax.  Dan cleaned the rug that lies in the salon (living room).  He draped it over the front of the boat to brush and hose it off.  Now for drying, which ended up being a two day event.  While under way on Thursday, we draped it over chairs on the flybridge.  The breeze from being underway helped immensely.  Sometimes, you have to improvise on this trip. 

rug drying while under way

  Thursday was a cruising day.  We passed by Decatur, AL and found out it was the Home of Meow Mix.  The whole area smelled like cat food. 

Grain mill at Decatur, AL

  At one point we thought we had entered the ocean.  I guess these pelicans had lost their way, because we saw them on the Tennessee River, of all places.  You never know what you are going to see on the river!

Pelicans on the TN River

  Our stopping point for the day was Joe Wheeler State Park Marina.  We had been to this marina by car, back in 2011, when we were gaining knowledge about The Great Loop.  The America's Great Loop Cruisers Association (AGLCA) has a rendezvous (seminar) every year at this location.  We are excited to be attending this one with our own boat while cruising The Great Loop.  

Joe Wheeler State Park Marina

  This will be our home port for the next 8 days while we attend the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous.  Posting will be limited as most of our time will be spent at seminars and social activities.