Black Warrior/TomBigbee (BWTB) and Mobile Rivers
To Mobile Bay!
As hoped, the alternator was successfully replaced at Kingfisher Marina in Demopolis on Mon., Nov. 4; however, removal of the stubborn bolt will have to wait until we get to FL. We were joined at the dock in Demopolis by a 100 ft. yacht called “Freedom.” Julie from “Stinger” asked if we could see it, and the captain led us all on a guided tour!
Very early the next morning, a group of seven of us Looper boats locked through the Demopolis Lock (Nov. 5) with “Freedom.” Picture below shows “Til You Can’t” rafted on to “Freedom” in lock.
While many boats are requesting extra nights at Demopolis or even heading back up the river in order to avoid possible effects of Hurricane Raphael, we’re heading south, as it appears the storm is going to veer further west. We are thankful we left that day at the time we did, as the lock closed for maintenance almost immediately after we finished locking! Another, “Thank you, God” moment!
Had a little down time on the way to our anchorage that evening.
Saw another alligator, this one sunning on the riverbank.
Here is Dennis demonstrating the international sign for alligator.
Anchored near Bashi Creek with “Unbridled” and “Til You Can’t” on Nov. 5. Poor to no cell service, so we weren’t able to watch election coverage.
The tows came quite close to us while at anchor in this narrow portion of the BWTB River.
I get a kick out of how the tow captains will address boats hailing them. For example, when Chuck on “Til You Can’t” calls a tow, the captain responds with, “C’mon, Til You Can’t” meaning, basically, talk to me.
In addition to alligators, Spanish moss and red clay are good signs that we’re headed south.
The next day (Nov. 6), we first learned the results of the election via texts and then were able to read about it intermittently as we gained and lost cell service that morning and as we travelled. More alligator sightings along with some dredging.
While we’d originally planned to go a short distance to Bobby’s Fish Camp that day, we ended up going further, as Hurricane Raphael did indeed track much further west; thus, there was no need to again consider extending our stay in the river system for protection from the storm. Got through Coffeeville Lock in a timely fashion – last lock (except for by where boat comes out of water in FL) until we start back north in the spring! We are now at sea level and will have to pay attention to tides.
Anchored at St. Elmo’s (mile marker 96) that evening (Nov. 6) with “Loop Dawg,” “Til You Can’t,” and “Back Forty.” Admittedly, it was a hot, muggy, buggy, and muddy experience. Taking dogs out at anchorages without a nearby boat ramp in this portion of the river = mud. As Dennis puts it, the boat ends up looking like a barnyard. We have to build in extra time in the mornings for mud removal!
We entered increasingly swampy territory through this part of the BWTB River.
What also increased as we continued on the BWTB was the amount of tow/barge traffic as well as sightings of industry lining the shore.
While we were underway the morning of Nov 7, the generator stopped working during one of the times we’d started it for making coffee or some similar task. Fortunately, we made it to anchor early that day, tucking into the Tenesaw River (with the same three boats); this gave Dennis the best part of the afternoon to work on the problem. It was challenging, as it required him to lie across the very hot water heater and engine, but he was able to replace the generator’s impeller that had turned to powder. When you’re not connected to shore power, a generator is a must.
Cruising toward Mobile Bay on a very overcast Fri., Nov. 8, we entered the Mobile River which widened and became more and more coastal in appearance
The change was striking.
Soon, we entered the five mile stretch into Mobile Bay, a very busy five miles of river for tow/barge traffic …
… leading into the bay …
where ships of all kinds can be found, such as cruise ships,
container ships,
navy vessels,
and, hospital ships.
In addition, the picture below is of a new naval unmanned surface vessel that will act as a sailing, armed “drone,” in essence, controlled remotely.
We docked against the wall at the Mobile Convention Center (Nov. 8) with “Loop Dawg” and “Til You Can’t. Though not visible in the below picture, our boats were docked behind the “riverboat” tour boat at far right.
There was a ship in dry dock across from us …
… and a very busy channel between us. Of note below are the first two pictures. Airbus manufactures jets in France, ships the pieces over on ships such as the one below left. The second picture is of unloaded parts (e.g., fuselage, wings, etc.) that are in route for assembly in a plant in Mobile.
Went to the Maritime Museum close to the Convention Center where we docked but on the other side of the tracks.
Later that evening, we went downtown (again, waiting on a train first) for a wonderful meal at Dauphin’s on the 34th floor of the Trustmark Building, a spot that provided a panoramic view of the bay.
We learned that Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, AL, in 1703 as a way of celebrating the French Catholic settlers’ first year of survival in the community.
Left Mobile on Sat., Nov 9, for Turner’s Marina in Dog River off the bay.
We stayed for two nights because of high wind on the bay and rain. Den had to fix two different issues on the boat (one pictured below), so it was a blessing that there was a West Marine within walking distance. It was warm with things closed up, and Nelson kind of hogged the fan. We did manage to find a BBQ place! It was here (between the bouts of rain!) where we first started to feel some balmy, saltwater breezes.
Crossing over to Fairhope on the east side of Mobile Bay on Mon.. Nov. 11 was very rocky.
We enjoyed seeing Fairhope, though it rained nearly the whole visit. Here are some pictures from downtown.
Shrimp boats sold right off the back of their boats in the marina where we were.
Woke up to sun this morning (Thurs., Nov. 14)! Below are some pictures in and around the marina in Fairhope.
Though it’s still very windy, we have a decent weather window today to travel south into the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway (GIWW) which will take us through the FL Panhandle and Big Bend areas.
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