This section of the river has a lot less anchorages and only one marina in the next 200 miles. We didn't leave until about nine am as the Demopolis lock was dropping a barge. We got locked down and the lock master was having a good laugh on the account of Canadian wearing coats and looking for heat. The temperature was about 55F but he told us the temperature was a good 20F lower than normal. Our first anchorage was a small creek that we managed to back DevOcean into. Our bow was clear of the channel in 10 ft of water. On Oct 26th we found a great anchorage on a side river with over 20ft of water beside this beautiful cottage with an empty dock. No one was home but we didn't invite ourselves to the dock. This section of the river is very windy and sometimes we travel 10 statute miles but only cover a couple of miles as the crow flies . On some instances you could almost see the river on the other side of the bank you had traveled an hour before. We saw lot of alligators and various wildlife. Also, the landscape keeps changing.
On Oct 27th we found an anchorage at the entrance of a small boat launch pad, part of a park in the middle of nowhere. As we relaxed and stated getting supper ready a few boats used the ramp. As it got dark out a group of young adults started partying in the park. Linda and I were laughing as they were hooting and hollering. By five am we were not laughing anymore. It was a great anchorage but our Saturday night timing was bad. Needless to say we were glad to leave that anchorage. Our last night on the river was spent at the Big Canout Bayou. A great anchorage. We followed this small river for about a mile and dropped the hook in 15 ft of water beside a little island with a couple of shacks. I'm not sure if anyone remembers the KEA four wheel drive commercial we had. This old guy driving around in the swamp screaming "ieeeee welcome to the swamp" well we was there. We dinged around exploring and taking pictures. It was different eerie and beautiful at the same time.
Oct 29th
Today was a milestone day. We left our last river anchorage and headed to Mobile. Miss Linda had been saying for the last couple of days that she was ready to get off the river. Actually when it came to it we were a little sad to cross mile marker zero. We motored through Mobile harbour and felt almost like the adventure was over. Mobile Bay is actually very shallow and you still have to follow the channel markers. In the bay we started seeing new and interesting things, such as a thriving industrial area, sea container vessels, and ship yards. Then as we traveled small commercial fishing boats with millions of birds. We were sitting in the cockpit having a little lunch when all of sudden Miss Linda jumped, almost knocking the table and our lunch screaming "STOP THE BOAT, STOP THE BOAT". Everyone has seen the IKEA Commercial, the woman running toward the car screaming "START THE CAR, START THE CAR" well just like that. This old guy almost had a heart attack, again. I should be used to it because Miss Linda screamed that every time she saw something. Well this time it was a pod of dauphins. The sadness was now replaced with excitement and scrambling for the camera. We made it to Turners Marina by about two pm and should be here at least two or three weeks doing some upgrades to DevOcean.
 |
He's not really the Harbour Master.
We managed to tuck in far enough out of the channel. A stern anchor is a must because as barges pass by they draw the water out of the creek and then it returns as they proceed.
Also we always made sure we used a trip line for our anchor in case we got snagged on logs or roots.
A view of DevOcean in our little creek anchorage.
Beautiful morning with a little fog. You must still watch for logs or dead heads in the channel.
Not only did we pass barges but two captains told us to squeezes between them.
I call this Pucker Time. (Starting to Squeeze by)
Mid Pass
After the Pass (Phew glad nobody fell asleep at the helm)
This is an old school bus that rolled down the embankment many years ago, as you can see from the tree that is growing on top of the wreck
This is Bobby's Fish Camp. The only marina and fuel dock for 200 miles
Linda was at the helm for her second lock. I don't want her to get used to that.
It means I will have start working the lines now.
Our great anchorage in Big Bayou Canot. Love it!
Bayou ice fishing shacks. I felt right at home.
Miss Linda in the Big Bayou Canot River
ieeeeeeee Welcome to the swamp
Last morning in the river system.
Running our last mile in the river system.
Our Last Mile down to 26 meters
To all our sailor friends. How would you like to pay for this shrink wrap job?
Sea container ship getting loaded.
Small commercial fishing vessel and its friends.
Our first try at getting a picture of dauphins. Hope to do better on our next leg of our adventure.
Stay Tuned!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment