Turkey point (MM129.5) toAlabama River cutoff (53)

October22,2015

Thursday

Miles traveled 77

Total miles Traveled 746

Day 40 

1 lock- Coffeeville.  Our last lock!!!!

We and Harvest Moon decided to push it again today so we pulled up anchor early again.. 

This dreger had nice fall colors!

At first, from afar, we thought we saw a bear on the shore.. But sadly, no.. It's a cow.. Along with some cow friends.

This part of the river really twists and turns... And we are all quite ready for Mobile Bay!!! We saw more gators and an eagle.. 

Here's some waterfront property.. At first I thought they had a satellite dish.. But as we got closer, saw that it's a water drum .

We went through our last lock with Harvest Moon and they rafted up with us for the night.. Going ashore was a bit muddy but no gators or snakes!

Another good nights sleep.. The temperatures have been great!

Demopolis to Turkey point(MM129.5)

October 21,2015

Wednesday 

Miles Traveled-87. We had planned to have gone 71 but we pushed on a bit more.

Total Miles Traveled 669

Day 39

1-lock- Demopolis Dam/lock

There had been several boats at the marina trying to figure the weather headed to the Gulf and what the seas would be when we entered at Mobile Bay. The news and weather have said very little about any of it .. So several boats were ready to head south. The skies were spectacular as we left the marina at first light.

We have had some amazing sunrises and sunsets.

We were not the first to reach the Demopolis Dam/lock. We were the 7th boat to secure ourselves to the Ballard. And there were one or two they came right after us . Once those boats were secure, they closed the gates and the 9-10 boats rode the lock down about 40 feet!! There were a few really big boats in there with us. And some really fast ones too !

We traveled the day with Jeff and Anne on Harvest Moon.. We met them back at Demopolis . They wanted to travel to the same anchorage that we wanted to go and they go about the same speed as us. It was perfect!

The water spill off from the dam.. 

Because we got started so early, we weren't sure Buster had ample time on the grass this morning.. He seemed a bit antsy today . So we reintroduced him to his tinkle turf plus the lirope plant we bought him..

He did check it out... But no success!

The day started out a little cool.. It was nice to have the inside helm. Buster seems quite comfy!

The river is quite scenic, with very few strucures.. All very natural.

Buster outside warming up in the sun.

Look what else is out warming itself up along the shore!!!! Gators!!! We heard they we in the area but today was our first sighting and we saw at least five!!! And they were all quite LARGE !!!

That explains why this is not a good area for playing in the water.

We pushed ourselves beyond where we had planned to stop and pressed on! Harvest  Moon dropped anchor and we rafted up with them for the night.. 

It was an easy dinghy ride to an expose beach were we could check for gators or snakes before going ashore... Hate to surprise these reptiles..

Another great day and getting closer to Mobile Bay!

Rattlesnake Bend to Demopolis

October 17,18,19,20,2015

Saturday , Sunday, Monday &Tuesday

Miles traveled-8

Total miles traveled 582

Day 35, 36, 37 & 38

We left Rattlesnake Bend and had an easy morning to the marina at Demopolis .. Kingfisher Marina.. We fueled up and got our slip assignment .

The fuel dock is open 24/7 for the big tugs and any other  boats needing fuel.

We were warned that this area has lots of reptiles.. And snakes lay across this walkway to warm themselves this time of year.. We were on the Lookout!!!! But never saw any.. We did see a fair number of turtles.

The boat next to us looks a little neglected ..

This beauty is a 1957 ChrisCraft and the owner is the guy who invented the Polygraph ... She is in fantastic shape..

Along this dirt road to our slip are several pecan trees.

While walking Buster.. We discovered many nuts to be found.

Perfect time to collect nuts,

After testing a few... They are wonderful.. Fresh and delicious .. I'll be shelling these in the next couple of days as we head south closer to Mobile Bay!

This marina is nice.. After four nights on the hook it was good to be at a marina with cable , wifi, 

New docks , laundry

And more being built.

A pool area with a herb garden.. They offer a courtesy car and we went into town.

We got to the post office

 And saw a little of the old town.

We heard this Red Barn was a great place to go for dinner, but we didn't go out.. 

We did get to the grocery store and restocked our pantry.. My guess is we have three nights on the hook before reaching Fairhope on the east side of Mobile Bay..  Getting closer to salt water ..

Pickinsville Park (MM309) to Rattlesnake Bend (MM224)

October 16,2015

Friday

Miles traveled 82.9... Our greatest distance ever!!!

Total miles traveled 575

2 locks

   Tom Bevill

    Heflin

Day 34

It was a beautiful sunrise and the water was as smooth as glass.

We got Buster to shore and put the dinghy up.. We called the Tom Bevill dam/lock to check the status of barge traffic .. The lock manager said it was clear for us to come on in.. The green light was on.. These two boats had anchored near us last night and they too wanted to catch the green light..

We tried to pull up anchor.. And had a bit of resistance.. Phil let the boat Rock the anchor a bit... Then up she came and with her came this large stump.. We freed the anchor from the stump and got the lock. It was an easy three miles from our cove.

Buster was ready to head down river

In the lock we rode down with Seamore and Joint Venture.. Both from Decater, Al. We also met up with Harmony from Maine...

Harmony 

Joint Venture

Seamore.    

We travel a bit faster than those three so ahead we went and lost them by the next  lock .. They told the lock manager they didn't plan to get past the next lock today.  One boat was having intermittent trouble with their engine.

The terrain is changing.. Yet still quite beautiful.. Very little development along the waterway.

 Buster is studying where to stay for the night.. Very few marinas along here too. 

Our 2nd and last lock for the day is filled with debris... The other three boats are far enough behind us that tha lock manager let us thru and would raise the water for them as they get closer ... From what we hear on radio chatter they plan to drop anchor at the Ox Bow bend just past this lock .. That's where we thought we would too. But it's 1:00... We decide to press on.. Next anchorage is 40 plus miles..

There is absolutely no place to anchor..

Left side of river is as it's been for days.. But the right side is bright white... Kind of strange .. Very cool!

Not sure.. But it could be sandstone..

We got to Rattlesnack Bend about a half an hour before sunset.. Got Buster to shore and dinghyed over to the other two boats also in this anchorage spot.. One boat was from Oregon and the other is from California..  All of us are headed south to Demopolis . We'll catch up once at the marina.. Time to get dinner and relax..