The Home Stretch

9-20-14

Labelle to Fort Pierce

We shoved off early and it was still drizzly rain. Within the hour we were up and cruising. Needed to do 4 locks and one big lake to be back on the east coast for the home stretch. All the locks on the Okeechobee Waterway were easy to get through. No commercial traffic and very few pleasure craft were out.

 Got to the rim canal on the lake and worked our way around to the channel that leads into the lake and had an easy ride with a tail wind all the way to the Port Mayaca Lock. I thought I would do the right thing and putt the last couple miles to wait for another boat we passed on the lake so the lockmaster would not have to do but one opening. Wouldn't you know it, we get there and he says just drive on through, the locks doors are open. Apparently the water on the low side has risen enough so the water level is the same top and bottom. I wasn't complaining, we just putted right through the lock.

No waiting, glad to, the lake was a little choppy.

A drive through lock, the best kind.

 Without very many no wake zones we were at the last lock we needed to get through to be home free.

The last gates to get through.

 Got through that quickly and made It to the Atlantic ICW only to be slowed by a nasty storm passing to our north. We had to watch the weather on the screen again and then bolt in between 2 red storm cells. Red is bad. Man, all these fancy smancy electronics sure have come in handy. Just wish I knew what I was looking at. (Very funny Cass).

We couldn't decide how far to go so we just stopped at Harbortown Marina in Fort Pierce. I kept a boat here at one time and knew they had a nice marina with a pool. We have seen the coast many times before so we will probably make quick work of it.

9-21-14
Fort Pierce to St. Augustine

We decide to get an early start and pulled out about 7am. We wanted to get as far as we could today and the weather wasn't fighting us, so far. With no real long wake zones until New Smyrna, we were there in no time but there was a lot of small boat traffic out due to the weekend. We managed to get through all the traffic up to Daytona and then put the hammer down again. Stopping at Disappearing Island at Ponce Inlet was temping but we kept moving. Arrived at St. Augustine around 5 or so and met some friends for dinner. Another long run but the finish line is in sight. We have been down the coast several times so I think the picture taker went on strike.

Around Sebastian we were attacked by pirates
 again but managed to escape. 

 I did get to see a Porpoise fly out of the water just in front of us in Edgewater and then come right up to the transom right next to the outboard and surf right behind the boat. His nose was almost touching the boat. Seen several in front of a boat surfing but none ever like that. Happen way to fast to get a picture. It was cool, he just hung there for several seconds looking up right at me.

9-22-14
St. Augustine to Silver Glen

We knew we had to go through a long area of boats and docks right in a narrow area south of Jacksonville so we decided to hit the ocean. With a light West wind and small easterly swells, the ride to Jacksonville was very nice up the beach and we didn't have to worry about making a wake. It was even a bit cool out.

Ahh. What a nice day.
We soon came to the ICW waterway and officially crossed our wake. Only thing to do was put up the gold Burgee. A little to early for a celebratory cocktail so we saved that for later. 

I need to do something 
about that hair. 30mph 
will do that to it.

The Navy even gave us a fly over 
to celebrate our trip. Ok, maybe not.


We were there pretty early and contemplated running all the way to Sanford. But after getting fuel to get home, the stinking East Coast RR bridge in Jacksonville changed our minds. We had to wait an hour and a half for an opening, 2pm. 

Finally! 

We tied up under the road bridge to be in the shade and there was not 1 train that came by until, you guessed it, 2 o'clock. The second train that was crossing just plain Ole stopped right on the bridge. I think at this point it was only to keep us from getting home. I never cussed, I promise. Anyhow, after that big delay home was not looking good. We decided it would be a great stop to stay at Silver Glen Springs for the night. About 10 miles north of Lake George, a big nasty thunderstorm was brewing. We had to putt along for several miles in the light rain and wait for the clearing to dash into the Glen. We had heard how much rain Florida was getting while we were gone and once on the river we knew it was a lot. The river was up a lot. 

With a east wind blowing, all the 
stuff coming up the river was pushed 
over to the mouth of the Glen. Luckily
the current from the springs
keeps it all out of the Glen.

5ft. Deep and clear as a bell. Come on 
over here Al and work on your Bass
catching skills so next time in the 
North Channel we can have more of that 
delicious bass you caught and cooked. 
Dammit Sherry where is my fishing pole.

Pulled into the Glen and anchored up on the sand bar. This Glen is a very nice place to stay. Chrystal clear water and a nice sand bar to boot. Broke out the beer and celebrated our trip. I wanted to polish off the bottle of Sortilege Maple Cream we got in Canada but Wendy said she wanted to take some home. Dammit Sherry, why did you have to introduce me to that stuff, it is good. Cooked dinner and had a nice quiet night, quiet is good.

9-23-14
Silver Glen to Sanford

The last day is upon us. After actually thinking about staying one more day at the Glen, we decided to just get home. The weather has been stormy as heck lately and didn't want to stay just to be stormed on. Looked later on the weather and it was actually storming at the Glen so we are glad we left. Once we hit the river we knew we would have to dodge mostly Lilly pads coming down river due to all the rain. We actually had to dodge small islands coming down the river, huge chunks of stuff floating everywhere. 

About 6 Fish and Wildlife air boats
were spraying the floating masses.

Hoped once we passed Lake Woodruff, a lake on the east side of the river, most of the weeds would be gone. Just as we thought, got past there and most of the big stuff wasn't in the river anymore. It was a nice ride all the way to Sanford for the most part.

Coming in to the starting point to 
finish the trip, Monroe Harbor Marina
in Sanford.

With 5820 miles traveled and 3670 gallons burnt we were home. It was an awesome trip. We were home a little early but with a family illness and everything else happening, we decided to just get home. We pretty much accomplished our goals to see as much in the Canada part as we could and actually changed coarse at the Erie and went to the Champlain and Rideau canals instead. We are glad we did. About half our time spent was in Canada. Nice eh. We have met a ton of people along the way and have enjoyed the fellowship of everyone. Really can"t remember even one bad experience. Well except for that one engine service in Michigan that cost twice what it did in NY. Oh,well.  

The River God's must have been upset that we were off the water cause they made It rain something fierce after we got home from the boat. Could have boated all the way home. It was the most rain I have seen in such a short time around here.

Like we haven't seen enough water already. Geez. Luckily we live in a sugar sand area and it was all gone within an hour or so. 

Gulf Coast

9-13-14

Mobile Bay to Fort Walton 

After over 1300 miles of the river systems, it was time for the Gulf coast. We had some pretty long runs to get to the Gulf but with not a whole lot of places to see or do, we let her fly. The fish must have known LeHooker was back in the saltwater cause one jumped in the splash well. We motored on over to the Gulf Coast ICW and decided to just go until we got tired. It was a weekend so the boat traffic was everywhere. Before we knew it, we were in the home state.

The storms were on the way so we stopped at Fort Walton Yacht Basin for the night. Well let me tell you, any marina right on the river with no break wall might be a bumpy night. Luckily a nasty thunderstorm came and ran all the boats off the water.

9-14-14
Fort Walton to Panama City

We got moving early to try and beat the morning rush of boaters. We ran through the bays and the ICW cut with hardly any traffic. 

Right before we got to Pirates Cove Marina we found sand bar just inside the inlet and pulled over to clean the outside of the boat at the water line. Couldn't get the stain off due to waves, but got all the scum growth off. It was nice to be able to get into the water, finally. Went to the marina and jumped into the pool for a while. Afterwards I got onto the boat top and scrubbed it clean while Wendy attacked the laundry. After getting some cleaning on the boat done we hit the restaurant for dinner.

9-15-14
Panama City to Carrabelle

With storms in the area, we left with one eye on the weather screen. Having the weather capabilities on the boat has been a nice addition. We ran for a while until we saw we were going to head into the rain. 

Putted along until the rain actually split into 2 storms so we ran again and shot in between the 2 storms. We were pretty lucky until we hit the last bay we had to cross, Apalachicola Bay, to get to Carrabelle. 

The winds were once again strong. The ride was a choppy one for the first half but luckily the second half settled down a little. Pulled into Carrabelle right with a drizzly rain.

9-16-14
The Moorings at Carrabelle

With a front coming through we decided to stay put and chill out for a day after putting on some miles lately. Carrabelle is a cool little town. Grocery store right across the street from the marina and they have loaner bikes.

Some wheels. About all you need 
to see Carrabelle. 

Boat sunk at the base of the bridge.

 Also have a captains lounge in the second story of the bath/shower. We needed to get some supplies from the grocery store so a fellow loaned us his golf cart so we didn't have to carry all that stuff. We peddled around to check out the town. 

9-17-14
Carrabelle to Clearwater

The day started out nice.

Yep, that's right. We ran all the way from Carrabelle to Clearwater. 191 miles.  Got a late start about 08:30 but it is a good thing cause we had to wait for the weather to clear out around Chrystal River and south of there. We ran in mostly very confused seas but it was only a 1-2 foot slop with a 2' swell from the southwest. All in all it was all good crossing.
We ran about 30 - 33mph all the way to Chrystal River and decided to keep going after we ate lunch. About 3/4 of the way to Chrystal River, we started noticing small fish everywhere dead in the water.

 After a couple miles we started seeing huge Red Fish dead everywhere. The place even smelled like dead fish. I could not believe all the dead fish. Figured It was a Red tide event. Later I got a text from Brian saying there was a red tide going on. We originally headed to Chrystal River cause everywhere south of there was covered up with rain due to the front moving south. I had one of my plotters on the weather the whole time to make sure nothing popped up In front of us.

One of the storms we skirted.

 As we travelled south the weather was moving south so by the time we got to Chrystal River,  the weather was down to the Tampa area. We decided to just keep running and went in at Anclote Key. Ran down to Clearwater Beach City Marina and called it quits for the day about 4:30. We skirted a couple offshore showers but never got rained on. 


9-18-14
Clearwater to Fort Meyers

After our long run the day before we didn't know how far to go or even leave the marina.

I bought the previous 2 Mercury 200's off this boat at auction. 

This poor Honda was screaming and going nowhere.

 But we got up and headed out. After another long day we pulled Into Heritage Harbor about 5pm. First thing to do was jump In the pool and relax. After that we walked into town to go to the Publix to get me some Chocolate Cookie Quarry frozen yogurt. Man I have missed it.

Oh sure, the good stuff shows up and 
our legs aren't broke anymore.

 Oh yea, we got dinner also. Back to the boat and crashed out. 2 long days of running wore me out.

9-19-14
Fort Meyers to Labelle.

Today was not going to be a marathon day. Looked at the weather and It was raining for miles out Into the Gulf and moving in. Figured if we were going to be stuck in the rain we might as well be moving in the rain. We were only going to go to Labelle on the Okeechobee Waterway to visit some friends and stay at the free city dock with power and water. Nice.

Power, water, an awesome restaurant 2 blocks up, and free. What's not to like.

 We did our trawler imitation all the way there in a drizzly rain. Got there, tied up and went to dinner at the Forrey Grille with some friends. If you come through here, it is a must stop. 

Wendy shows up and the animals come a begging. Think we fed everything for over 5000 miles. 

We are going to try and get all the way across the Okeechobee Waterway tomorrow and as far up the coast as we can. It is time to get home and we have seen the coast many times. 

Down the Rivers

8-24-14
Chicago to Harborside Marina
South of Julie Ill.

We were awakened early by the boat rocking all around so I peaked outside to see the whole marina rocking and rolling. The winds had picked up and they were coming right in the mouth of the marina. It was not good. I looked at the weather and it was supposed to do this for a couple days. That was all we had to see. Had enough of the big city already so we packed up and headed for the lock to go through downtown. I knew it was going to be a very bad ride out the marina and over to the lock due to all the Sea walls bouncing those waves back out into the lake. We weren't surprised when we literally had 4 and 5 foot waves coming from all directions.

I called the lock master to make sure we would not have any delays in getting into the lock and he said we should be good, he would wait for us to get there to open them. Called him on the radio when we arrived and he opened them right up. I was glad to see them shut. We putted down the river right through downtown. It was a cool sight. After being in the canal only a few minutes, we saw why it is called the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Dirty is an understatement.

Don't back up to far

The writing on the wall says it all.

 We were quickly out of downtown and into the ship part of the canal. The industrial stuff was everywhere. Started running into all the barges and there is not much room to get by some of them. We had to pull over in between parked barges to let others go by several times.

The infamous fish barrier. I tried to get Wendy
 to stick her tongue in the water to see
 if it was charged. 

All the captains were nice and would communicate what they needed on the radio. One Tow Captain without any barges even pulled over to let us by. 

We were in the first lock with the Tug Cody Boyd. We 
were going to have to wait till he cleared
the lock but the lockmaster ask if we could
 lock through with him and he said ok.
They have priority over pleasure craft.
Wendy thought he was nice, I think it was cause 
Wendy had her bikini on. Either way, we got through faster. I made her wear it the rest of the way.

We finally got to the wider area of the river and it got easier. After several hours we pulled Into the marina to stop for the night. And it is officially hot now. 

8-25-14
Harborside Marina to Heritage Harbor Marina
Ottawa Ill.

We got a semi early start to get to the first lock to try and get a better start. Weeell, almost. Got to the first lock and waited 3 hours to lock through.

 We went in with 3 other Loopers, all in Trawlers. We pulled out and put the haul butt on and made it to the next lock to wait 5 hours to lock through. The Trawlers caught up. Luckily a Tow Captain said we could lock through with him so we all got in the lock and rafted to the barge. The word was out, bikini paid off again.

 While we were in the lock, a nasty storm was brewing ahead so Wendy made reservations at Heritage Harbor Marina only a couple miles away. We put the hammer down and barely made it to the marina before the storm. We got to get the loaner Suburban from the marina and after the storm went to the Walmart in Ottawa for supplies. After a long day, time for bed.

EDIT:
Funny note to add. We have been hearing a lot about the carp but have only seen a couple flyers. When we were backing into our slip we were looking back and saw a Carp fly out of the water and do a header right into the dock box with a loud thud. Funny as heck.


8-26-14
Heritage Harbor to Grafton Harbor, Grafton Ill.

After thinking about what to do to get Wendy home to take care of some family business,  we decided to just go ahead and run as far as we could till we got to Grafton so we could get Wendy on a plane. There has been a lot of rain up here lately and when we got going there was a ton of stuff floating downriver.

Driving through a mine field.

 Mostly wood from trees but some actual trees in there also. We got to the first lock in a few minutes and luckily it was only an hour wait. The lockmaster said the wickets were down at the last 2 locks so we should be able to drive right over them and bypass the lock. Didn't sound right to me but oh well. The ride to the next lock was good, this area of the river doesn't have a lot to see. 

Starved Rock at the Starved Rock Lock and Dam.

It wasn't all ugly.

Sure enough, called the lock master and he said to just go around. I creeped over the wickets just to make sure. With all the rain, the river has risen enough to level the top and bottom side of the rivers so they lower the wickets to help the river flow. Luckily we got to bypass the last lock also. We have been running around 35mph the whole time except when we came  upon large quantities of crap floating.

It was also like running through a large mud pit, the water was super nasty. It was not a relaxing ride, Wendy and I both had our eyes on the river ahead. Once we heard a loud thump only to look back and see a Carp bounce off the side of the boat. We added a mile to the trip just dodging debris. After 241 miles we pulled into Grafton Harbor at 6:00pm. 

She was rode hard today and never complained. Pun intended.

I was able to get another fuel burn run in to see how
accurate the fuel management was. Just as before,
it says we burn about 10% more than we actually do.
That is good news, always have more than it
says and we are getting better fuel economy
than actually stated.

 We were both wore out. Went to the on site restaurant to eat and crashed hard.


8-27-14 till 9-1-14
Grafton Harbor

In the morning first thing we were able to get Enterprise to pick me up to go get a rental car to get Wendy to and from the airport and so I could have some wheels for the week while she would be gone. Got her to the plane and off she went so I had to stay with the boat and look after our supplies and check the pool temperature everyday. With the holiday weekend coming up it would be good to be tucked away in a slip to let all the carnage get over with. The next couple days were quiet but then it got very busy, and then busier and busier. It turned into and all out fiasco. 

Redneck Riviera across the river.

I got to see stuff like:
     A carp jump onto the back deck of a boat and flop around sending one lady Into a scream fest.
     Several boats crash into the docks.
     Many near collisions at the harbor mouth.
     A ripping boat fire just down the river.

    And every yahoo that owned a stereo was blasting away.
    Several boats down, there was a houseboat that I saw the shore power cord going into the water which was yellow going into the water and black coming out. I showed it to the dock hand and he pulled It out to find it wire nutted together in the water. Awesome.

The place was an absolute zoo. The marina staff did did a great job with keeping up with all the mess. 

Went and picked Wendy up from the airport Sunday night at 7pm and the place was still hopping when we got back. We could not take back the rental car until Tuesday due to the holiday so we just loafed around Monday and waited for the carnage to start like it had for the last 3 days. By the middle of the day it looked like everybody had partied out the last 3 cause it was not as busy. Didn't bother us none. Quiet is good. It is a great place to lay over if you have to. The marina crew and staff are very nice people. Even with all the commotion on the holiday weekend, the marina was a good stop. Our last night it stormed pretty good all around but nothing to heavy right over us. We were treated to a really good lightening show.

9-2-14
Grafton to Kaskaskia River Lock

Turned in the rental Explorer and headed down stream to go as far as we could but leaving late and having 2 locks to get through we weren't expecting to log many miles. Right after we got started we looked back to see carp literally flying everywhere. It was comical to see.

 To our surprise, the locks were not to big of a delay. What was, is all the stuff floating downstream. Once again all the heavy rain had the river trashed up big time.

 Went next to the Arch but there were several towes running in the river and they must have been late cause it looked like they were WFO causing huge waves to roll down the river. To rough to get many pics.

 We managed to get to Hoppies to get some fuel and decided to just keep going, it was still early enough to get to the Kaskaskia River. 

Fern, in the cart is the owner of Hoppies. She gave us the run down on what to expect downstream. 

With all the rain the current was really moving. Apparently there a 80 mph current cause we were doing about 30mph and I saw this on the gps.

With our 111mph maximum speed 
attained,  we were there in no time.


We called the lock master to make sure it would be ok to tie up for the night and he said sure, no problem. Kind of unusual to be able to tie to one of the locks but we felt right at home on a lock wall. It was a real peaceful place. It is the only place to tie up for a long way. 

Fired up the generator, made dinner, had a shower on the transom and went to bed after another long run, 100 miles.

9-3-14
Kaskaskia Lock to Green Turtle Bay Marina

Our lock stay ended up being a good one. Free and quiet as can be. We really wanted to make the long run to Green Turtle but that was a long way with a couple locks. Got an early start, about 6:00 am, and only about a mile down river we hit heavy fog. Really heavy! Visibility was just past the bow rail. Only thing we could do was idle down stream on one engine and listen for Tows. We ran the edge of the river right next to the wing dams as close as we dared to, pretty sure there would be no Tows near them. After a few minutes we heard the familiar rumble of a large engine. I had my eyes on the radar and Wendy was peering out the front. I could see the Tow on the radar and he was parked on the opposite shore waiting for the fog to lift. We never were able to actually see him. A little while later we came to a spot and I just didn't like what I saw on the radar and charts so we tucked in between 2 large barge tie up spots on the side of the river and waited for over an hour before the fog lifted enough to see decent. I'm glad we did. Downriver there were several barges on the side of the river anchored and that would probably gave us a heart attack coming upon them in the fog. Oh yea, while this was going on we were also dodging trees and crap in the water. 



Pretty much what we saw all around.

We finally got to get up and get running but the trash was everywhere still. There isn't much, ok anything, on the south end of the river before the Ohio River, pretty desolate. We got to the Ohio and made the left turn up and within a few minutes we came to the new Olmstead Lock and Dam under construction.

Next was the Lock and Dam 53 and as luck would have it the wickets were down so we got to drive right around. Well we were not so lucky at Lock 52 and to make things worst the big lock was broke so they were only using the smaller one. They were having to break the Tows apart and lock them through in 2 sections. There were Tows parked all along the river bank waiting, I thought we would be there overnight waiting. I had Wendy put on her bikini, it was actually hot enough to wear one, and sure enough the lock master called and said he would send us up after the first half of the down bound Tow. About an hour later, we got through. We put the hammer down and ran the rest of the trip at about 40 to get to the Marina before dark. Still had one more lock to do but we got right through it and pulled in the marina right after dark.

Going into the Barkley Lock right before dark.
Luckily the marina is right near the top
of the lock.

 Another marathon day with 218 miles covered. Went up to the Yacht Club to eat and get a drink but this is a dry county so no booze. Figures. A couple locals in the restaurant gave us some of their beer and wine. You are allowed to bring your own, they even keep it in the cooler for you.

9-4-14
Green Turtle Bay

Decided to just stay put and take the loaner van to the grocery store for some food and supplies. This was a nice place and with a pool it is hard to leave. Later on the Sunshine and Wy Lie Rae pulled in. We passed them yesterday on the Ohio River. Saw them in Grafton.

Photo evidence that we have once again
been caught or passed be a trawler


9-5-14
Green Turtle to Harmon Creek Anchorage 

We learned that the Demopolis Lock, the last on we have to get through on the Tenn-Tom, will be closed till the 10th. We plan on trying to be there on the 10th but I'm guessing there will be a back up of barges there. We are going to try and anchor out a couple nights to not have to do marinas every night, but we will see how that goes with the hot weather here. We putted down the lake and it is a very big one. Pulled into Harmon Creek about 5:00 and found a spot to throw out the hook. Ran the inverter with the a/c on before we got there to help cool the cabin down and drug out the genny to run it for the a/c after we got parked.

 We have not had to run the generator for a/c yet while we have anchored so this will be a first. Cooked dinner, showered up and hit the cabin when he skeeters showed up.

9-6-14
Harmon Creek to Clifton Marina.

Got up almost early and got going to try and beat the heat. The little genny did a great job all night in keeping us cool. Filled it up with gas about 10:00 and it ran all night. Got up about 5 am to check it and put more in it but I think it would have went a couple more hours without any. Added a little and laid back down. All night I was expecting it to quit. We putted down the Lake and pulled into Cuba Landing Marina to get some ice and say hi to Steve and his wife Wendy aboard the Atla. He was leaving his boat there for a while to store it. He passed us while I was sitting in Grafton. Pulled out of there and it looked like the rain was coming so we put the hammer down to get to the marina. Got to the marina and it was busy as was the river through the area. Apparently there is some kind of festival in the little town but the rains came so we stayed on the boat. Went to bed right before the fireworks started.

9-7-14
Clifton to Grand Harbor in Mississippi

We started out early, around 7am, and just putted down the river and enjoyed the scenery. Was a nice area to see, the scenery has improved and the rivers are not junked up making for a pleasant ride and It was kind of foggy and overcast so it was cool also.

Someone built a little to close to the river bank. It was way up the bank and pretty far back but a huge land slide almost sent it Into the river.

 We got through the Pickwick lock without to much delay and got Into Grand Harbor on the early side so we went to the pool and cooled off for a while.

Aaahhhh.

Each slip had it's own golf cart parking spot on the dock. Wonder how many have ended up in the water.

 Got back to the boat and noticed the Trawler next to us was from Winter Garden Fl. Talked to them for a while, Tim and Anne, and went over to their boat after dinner for cocktails and discovered we knew some of the same people. Tim was a retired Orlando Police Officer and Anne was a retired nurse. Small world after all. Grand Harbor was a very nice place to stay.

9-8-14
Grand Harbor to Midway-on-the-Tenn Tom Marina

Decided to just keep cruising down the river so we left in the morning to try and make some miles. The river south from here is a more scenic as it goes through a couple lakes. Almost like the north channel.

 We went through the divide cut as it Is called and it is just that, a long straight cut canal so I set the auto pilot and took a nap, not.

Beginning of the cut.

We still can't get to Demopolis to early, the lock is still closed. I was mistaken when I posted it was the last one we had to go through on the Tenn-Tom, there is one south of Demopolis.  As one of earlier travel partners, Horst from the Anne Harper, put it, the horse has smelled the stables so look out and hang on.

The top.

84 feet down.

 The traffic on the river was very light, maybe due to the lock being closed. Got to lock through the Whitten lock with a Tow, it is an 84 foot drop to the bottom.  Got to Midway Marina and they had a loaner car so we went to Wally World for some stuff. Got to town and discovered it was on highway 78, same one we used to travel on the way to California in my part time trucking days. Now I get to go under the bridge I stead of over it. 

9-9-14
Midway to Pirates Cove Marina


Early was the time to leave today. We were only 3 miles from the next lock and needed to get through at least 4 today. Was about ready to go at 6:30 and looked out to see a Tow headed north which meant the gates were open for us. Called the lockmaster and he said come right down. Right through and we were on our way. Got through the next one pretty quick also and the lockmaster said we should have the river pretty much to ourselves. Loved hearing that. Pretty much the way it was all day. No waiting for the locks and no Tow traffic. We went into one lock and it looked like a Tow was coming upstream. Wendy said he was parked on the side of the river. When we came out of the lock we saw one of his barges headed down stream without him. 

Runaway barge

He was nosed against the shore in a small cove. Apparently the current from the lock letting all that water out dislodged his barge from the side of the river. Pretty funny. He chased it down and wrangled it in and took it to another spot. The river kind of reminds us of the St Johns a little. Started seeing pine trees and cypress trees today. Our travel was easy with all the locks so we went ahead and ran another 25 miles and 1 more lock so we would not have such a long run the next day. Was a 90 mile day so we cooked on the boat and crashed early.

Ray and Arlene on the Darf V also from Florida

 There is another Looper next to us and we are going to get an early start to get in another 100 miles tomorrow to make it to the broken lock at Demopolis. There will probably be Tows parked all over the place when we get there.

9-10-14
Pirates Cove to Kingfisher Marina, Demopolis

We let the Darf V get out in front cause we were going to go slow for a while then catch up to him before the next lock. Once again with no Tows on the river we got right through the next one. The river in this area gets nicer and more scenic as we go.

We came upon these white cliffs. Very cool.

 Was a nice ride to Demopolis and was able to get there mid afternoon due to our 06:30 departure. We knew we were close when we saw Tows parked on the river bank. Bonus for us was that we got to go into a covered slip. They are expanding the marina with more covered slips also. They have a pool and a courtesy car. 
Did learn that the lock was going to be closed till Thursday night at 7pm instead of Wednesday night so another day in Demopolis. At least it is a very nice marina with all the amenities. There are around 4 boats here already waiting for the lock.

9-11-14
Demopolis

We Hung around the pool and got caught up on "business"and had a docktail party before several of us went out to a local restaurant and had dinner. After going several miles the wrong way, we finally found the Red Barn Restaurant. The ones of us that were planning on leaving tomorrow talked about our plans to get through the lock. I said I would call the lock master and get a time frame and let everyone know so we didn't have a bunch of people calling at once. We will see what tomorrow morning brings.

9-12-14
Demopolis to Eastshore Marina, Mobile Bay

After getting up early and not sleeping afterwards, I called the lock master about 6 am and ask about lockage south bound for 4 vessels. He said no guarantee but about 8 am should be fine. I let everyone know what he said and waited. 1 decided to stay another day and 1 jumped the gun on getting there and got scolded by the lock master,  I had my handheld VHF on and heard him. He also told a Tow Captain to turn his radar off, he didn't need another kid with 3 arms. I thought uh oh, this ain't gonna be a good morning to go through his lock. We got through before 9 am and put the hammer down to get as far as we could today. We expected to see many Tows on the river bank but there was only about 5 headed north. We made it to the only place to dock around 12:30 so we called the last lock on the river and ask about a time frame. He said come on down, he doesn't have anything there. 

Last lock door in our way to get to the Gulf.

We got right through that one hammered down again for Mobile Bay. Shouldn't say hammer down, just a nice 35mph cruise speed. Traffic was light compared to what we thought it would be. Got to Mobile and headed down the bay to Eastshore Marina and got tied up right before dark.

Only there a few minutes and the animals
started showing up. Must have known
the Cat lady showed up.

 Another long run with 230 miles covered. I was pooped so after a few well deserved drinks, we hit the rack.