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.