Bobby's Fish Camp

57 low / 79 high                              1 lock today / 77 for 2014

Wednesday was a lay day for us in Demopolis. We took the courtesy car and drove around town as well as to the grocery store. The town is like many we have seen, depressed with many vacant buildings. John & Sue's daughter, husband and son who live in Meridian came by and we all had dinner together.

At the Demopolis post office.

Downtown

Sue and grandson.

Yesterday we awoke to some light fog. After a call to the lock we departed about 630 am and headed south for a long day. 97 miles to Bobby's fish camp. The river is still rising so we had another day with good currents. This lower portion of the river is known for all the hairpin turns and switchbacks. There is a picture below to show a segment. Again the scenery is constantly changing. As we got closer to Bobby's we started to get into the flatlands. We arrived about 430 pm. The pictures will speak for themselves. The description say there is 120' of dock space but with both Thanks Dad and us here there is no room for anyone else. They will just raft boats to each other to fit everyone in. I don't know if the dock cleats would hold up to many boats if the weather turned. Before dinner a tow with 7 barges grounded himself just across the river. He is still there as I write this. The restaurant is open Thursday-Sunday so off we went for supper. Bedtime came early after the long day.

Early morning fog.

Sunrise in the lock.

This is a floating bollard that we tie the midship cleat to.

A beach?

In the restaurant.

The tow with barges.

This is an example of the river.

Demopolis, Al.

64 low / 70 high                           2 locks today / 76 total for 2014

When we left the marina this morning the plan was a relatively short day with 1 lock to an anchorage. We passed through the Heflin lock immediately after coordinating our departure with them. All the storms from the other night stretching all the way to Chicago have caused lots of water to head south so we picked up several mph of current behind us. The levels were already up 10' and expected to crest Friday at almost 20'. As we approached the anchorage it was still only around 1100 am. A quick call to the next lock advised we could come right in so off we went for another 50 some od miles to Demopolis, Al. The cruising was fast today but for a stretch we were entertained by some bald eagles that were swooping down fishing along side us as we traveled. We also passed the white cliffs of Epes. We arrived at the Demopolis Yacht Basin about 500 pm for fuel. The commercial tows stop here for fuel also. We then moved over to Kingfisher Marina for the night. Very new and modern. The four of took a golf cart back to the yacht basin to the restaurant for dinner. Once back to the boat it was an early night after a long day.

108' snagboat Montgomery at the Tom Bevill visitor center.

Another tow.

The white cliffs!

Rocky embankments now.

A tow sharing the fuel dock with us,

Pirate's Marina Cove Marina, Pickensville, Al.

70 low / 77 high                                   1 lock today / 74 total for 2014

We were delayed a short time leaving the marina yesterday due to a tow in the lock. Once we got going it was smooth sailing with nice weather. This stretch of the waterway is where the infamous phone booth along the bank in the middle of nowhere lies. It's also where you go back and forth between Mississippi and Alabama around every bend for several miles. As we approached Pickensville there were more and more riverfront homes. We arrived at the marina, got tied off and used the courtesy van to go to Down Yonder for a wonderful lunch. Had dinner on the boat and got to bed early. We've stayed an extra day as there is a cold front coming through later this evening and we didn't want to be caught at an anchorage in the thunderstorms. Again this morning we borrowed the van and went 10 miles to Aliceville. There we shopped at the Piggly Wiggly which I hadn't seen any in years.

House along the way.

The phone booth!

Charis & Thanks Dad at the dock.

The marina.

Office & ships store.

Inside

Still in Columbus

71 lo / 88 high

Friday we rented a car and did some touring. First we drove to the Waverly Plantation. This is reported to be the most photographed house in Mississippi. With that fact you'd think that it would be easy to find. Wrong, we drove right passed it once and barely found it the second time. No signs, just a brick fence with an open gate and you can't see the mansion from the road. It was built in the 1850's and through the early part of the 1900's it was vacant because the descendants of the owner didn't want to live there. In 1962 the current owner bought the house and spent 27 years restoring it. He still lives there today and vacates his quarters daily when the house is open to the public.

We then went to Columbus Air Force Base and did our grocery shopping. After dropping off at the boat we headed into Columbus to see Tennessee Williams home in addition to many of the old southern mansions in town.

Yesterday was football day. I managed to change the transmission oil and filter as well as fill the water tanks after Ann did several loads of laundry. Having a washer/dryer on board has been a Godsend. Sue & John joined us for some of the games and John made chicken etouffee for our dinner. We've enjoyed taking turns making our gastric delights and sharing.

Columbus, Ms.

64 low / 88 high                 3 locks today / 73 for 2014

Again we stayed at a marina just above our next lock so a call to the lockmaster early advised us a tow was locking up and to remain at the dock until we saw him emerge, We still got away about 810 am. 2 sail boats pulled in late the night before because one was having overheating problems. One is headed to Bradenton, Fl. with a father and his 7 year old son. What an adventure for that young man. The scenery continues to change as we are now on the river section of the waterway. Arrived at Columbus Marina a little after 300 pm. We received some good news via email. We have permission to go as far as Dog River Marina in Mobile as early as the 15th of October vs 1 November. We can now continue to travel with John & Sue at least that far. We have asked for further permission to go all the way to Pensacola with them. Plus Ann is very grateful that she doesn't have to stay here for several days by herself when I go home for a knee appointment. I'll go from Mobile instead and she has family there.

Smithville, Ms.

69 low / 86 high                                  1 lock today / 70 for 2014

We left the dock yesterday morning after a call to the lock invited us right through. a very short day of 17 miles. We continue to slow because of the hurricane season restriction on our insurance. We pulled into Smithville Marina just after 1030.Very basic but really nice people. Ann & Sue even found another gator alumni!

Dam beside the lock.

A watchful eye.

Smithville marina.

The Gator alumni.