Home is within sight!

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 -

Left Little Cedar anchorage at 6:15 AM and traveled up and through Chicamauga Lock.  Anchored at MM 491, Eldridge Slough.  Nice and breezy...and we're hoping for some sun relief soon.

Thursday, May 10, 2018 -

At last we are on Eastern Time!  We left this morning at 7 AM and had a pleasant day of travel.  Storms were predicted for parts of our trip...but we only got some light rain.

CRAZY thing happened as we were going up through Watts Bar Lock.  We had just started the ascent when three F-16 fighters passed over us at 500 feet!  We were standing on our back deck with Maggie when it happened...and neither of us could tell, at first, what was going on!  I thought the lock must be caving in!  The noise was so loud and it just reverberated in that concrete chamber! 

When we got up near the top the lock master was there to talk about it.  We asked if it happened often and he said, "Not often enough for me to be used to it!"  He had seen the three planes...and the only reason we know what they were and how close they were to the ground is because Wayne called the Air National Guard about it. 

The guy he talked to said he would try to find out more about them and called back with the info we have based on radar records.  They probably DO know where they came from but are reluctant to get all mucked up with another agency...or their own.  Quite an experience.  It's the kind of thing that could bring on a heart attack!!

The rest of the trip went smoothly and we're anchored now in Little Paint Rock Creek at MM 576.  We should be home tomorrow afternoon after a stop at Ft. Loudon Marina for fuel.

Friday, May 11, 2018

Well, we did indeed make it home today.  Jay picked us up at Concord Marina that afternoon.  We were tired, but glad to be back.  Spent the weekend recovering.

This was a good trip: just long enough, generally good weather...nice.   Till next time....safe travels!

Florence, AL to Little Cedar Mountain anchorage

Sunday, May 6, 2018 -

Left Florence around 7:30 AM having called Wilson lock.  The lock master said she had a tow in the chamber coming down now.  We told her it would be at least 45 min. before we could be there and she said that would be fine.  Yeah.  About an hour after we got there, the doors finally opened.  Obviously the tow wasn't completely inside the chamber when we talked. 

We shook it off ;-) and went on up to Joe Wheeler Lock where it was a quick in and out.  The to State Park Marina for fuel ($2.89/gal.) and water.  Joe Wheeler State Park was looking great!  People all over...beautiful weekend day.

Spent the night at Riverwalk in Decatur, AL...OK, our favorite low rent marina.  $20/night and we're tied up to a dock with shore power on an 85+ degree day!  We tried to locate the Ingall's Harbor Ken and Brenda have seen...but we missed it, somehow.

BIG storm came through before dark.  Black clouds and big winds.  We watched one houseboat try to dock.  They couldn't...and somehow managed to make it back out of the close-quarters marina to the river until the winds died down.  Seeing this...and looking at the devastation that came to this marina with a tornado that passed through a month ago (we talked with a tenant who witnessed the whole thing)...it reminded us that we are in tornado alley!

Monday, May 7, 2018 -

We had a gorgeous day of travel!  Got through Guntersville Lock (using the auxiliary lock and port side tie).  Considered staying at the Guntersville town dock...but it's looking a bit rough already.  And with such a beautiful lake, Guntersville, to be traveling we just couldn't resist finding a woodsy, hill-surrounded anchorage.  We did just that at the Short Creek, MM 361.  Cool, breezy afternoon and a low in the 50's that night.  Perfect!

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 -

Left our anchorage this morning at 6:30 AM (yes, we're still on leisure cruise...we just wake up early!).  Had another beautiful day of travel up to the Nickajack Lock and through to an anchorage at Little Cedar Mountain.  Again it should be in the 50's tonight.  ;-)

Now to catch up on photos:

Maggie May loves to "play" with insects.  She found this dragonfly, who didn't seem to want to get with the program.  So, Maggie takes it in her mouth and throws it up in the air to get it "going."  A few times doing this and the poor dragonfly is fatally mauled.  Maggie gives it one last chance by offering her own version of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation...you see the results.  R.I.P. one dragonfly.

We passed a real milestone while traveling on the canal up to Pickwick: 10,000 miles on this boat...at 8 miles an hour.  You figure it.

That horrible, rainy day we had coming through Lake Pickwick up to Florence, even Maggie didn't want to look outside...

Florence Harbor in the morning...

Results of the tornado that hit Decatur's Riverwalk Marina about a month ago...

And...the big storm that came in when we spent the night there this week...

Guntersville Lake...

From our anchorage at Short Creek...

Aberdeen to Florence, AL

Friday, May 4, 2018 -

Whew!  Left Blue Bluff anchorage at 6:30 AM.  Transited 6 locks and anchored in Bay Springs Lake near the top...same place we anchored as we came down in March.  All the locks went smoothly...until the last one, Whitten.  They were working on the lock and we waited an hour before we could enter.  By then we were joined by a john boat, a 45 ft. cruiser and a 125 ft. motor yacht (in every sense of the word, yacht). 

The "older" man (probably our age) in the john boat was traveling from Mobile Bay to Paducah, KY.  He dropped by the boat to chat when he came up to wait and we talked a bit.  Earlier in the day he had hit a stump and it threw him out of the boat and bounced the top off of his outboard motor!  Thankfully he had a kill switch on and a rather long rope that he used to get back into the boat.  He'd been on the rivers already for 4 days (making a lot better time than us!).  I couldn't help but wonder where he stayed at night...was he wearing the same clothes (ewwww)...what did he eat???  I should have asked him for a boat card and blog address.  [smile]

Saturday, May 5, 2018 -

Another long day on the water.  Left at 6:30 AM as the rain just started.  We traveled until around 1 PM in rain...varying from light rain to pouring rain.  Yucky. 

We traveled from Bay Springs up to the Tennessee River and on to Florence, AL, and Florence Harbor Marina.  We considered going up through the Wilson Lock and anchoring above, but we talked with the lock master and realized they had a big towboat bringing multiple loads through the lock.  It was 3:30 when we got to Florence and it would be at least 5 o'clock before we'd have a chance to lock through. 

We bailed out and decided to just go into Florence Harbor for the afternoon and evening.  Good choice!  I went out for a few fresh items, we walked Maggie...and had take out from the restaurant here.  We met the lock master from Wilson who works 6 PM to 6AM.  He'll be working tomorrow morning, but we'll probably go through a bit later in the morning.  Tomorrow we're settling back into leisurely cruising.  Really.

Windham Landing to Aberdeen Blue Bluff anchorage

Thursday, May 3, 2018 -

Yep!  Left at 6:15AM and got anchored by 5 PM.  Traveled 71 miles and went through three locks.  Even had to wait an hour at Stennis.  We feel like we’ve had a good day today. 🙂. We’ll see how we do tomorrow when we face the final 6 locks before we reach the Tennessee River!

Demopolis to Windham Landing

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 -

We left Demopolis Yacht Harbor (full fuel tank and all) at 6:15 AM. Nice day of travel. Very little boat traffic of any sort and one tow coming downstream. We actually made an average of 7.5 mph, which was unexpected.

We're anchored at Windham Landing, mm 286.2. The temperature is in the 80's...but we have a lovely, cool breeze blowing here. ;-) Thought I'd better post while we have a Verizon signal. No TV channels, but we both are reading good books...and we go to bed early anyhow. How else could we be on the river by 6:15 AM!

Bump in the...road

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 - Well, this is the story as of this morning at about 7:30AM:

Well, we're in Demopolis Yacht Basin for the second day.  Only intended to spend one...but we can't get refueled!  There's so much trash behind the fuel dock where they let PC's fill up.  The river side of the dock is for tows only...safety concerns.  They have a broken down tow boat sitting at the dock now and have ordered parts for it.  Parts should be here tomorrow...then they have to fix the boat.  Then they can use it to disperse all the trash by using the boat's prop wash.  Oh.  And it could get spread out when the wind direction changes to the north, as they expect will happen this coming weekend.  Wayne is walking over now to talk with the owner of the marina to see what's what.  

Wayne's even considering buying fuel cans and bringing diesel from local gas station.  Trouble is...they won't allow fuel to be brought into the marina from outside.  We'd have to anchor near the town landing...dinghy ashore with cans...walk to station for fuel and back.  With two five gallon cans we figure it would take six trips (Wayne figures we need an extra 60 gallons of fuel to get to Columbus, MS, considering we'll be going upstream.

And here's the rest of the story:  The owner, Fred Hansard, met Wayne as he was walking to the dock this morning.  They had managed to clear out a little of the debris and Fred said we could probably get in there now...but do it quickly before debris came back.

We unplugged, left the slip, and refueled.  Whew!  Then we decided to spend another day here to settle down and relax...which we have done.  Tomorrow we'll resume our journey north.  The "norther" the better, since it's going to be 88 degrees in Demopolis tomorrow.  

Ingram Bayou to Foscue Creek (Demopolis)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 -  We were on the water by 6:45AM.  Trip up Mobile Bay was very pleasant.  Mobile ship channel wasn't as bad, in terms of traffic, as I was expecting.  For one thing, we ran outside the channel part of the time.

We're anchored tonight in Big Bayou Canot at mm16.6.  Water is WAY UP and muddy with debris.

Thursday, April 26, 2018 -  We're out again at 6:45AM.  It was a good night at Big Bayou Canot.  The current against us today was fierce...and debris came in large masses.  Half the time we just steered instead of relying on auto pilot.  Oh...and Wayne called Raymarine and got the "follow from here" option working so we can quickly resume our route after a stop.  He also talked with Navionics about the fact that the statute miles on our charts are expressed not in miles, but in feet!  A message from them later that day said the change should be completed to correct this error by May 17.  Hmmm.

Mobile River is definitely at flood stage now and is expected to rise a couple more feet.  Things will begin to look better around Demopolis and the junction of the Black Warrior.  So all we have to do is get there!  Tomorrow we will struggle (at around 5mph) towards Three Rivers Lake, mm64, above Coffeeville Lock.  It will mean a long day...but we will have some good daylight hours to get there.  ;-)

Friday, April 27, 2018 -  From Three Rivers to Okatuppa Creek, mm123.  Good day, but LONG!

Saturday, April 28, 2018 - We had picked out several places to anchor tonight...all above Bashi Creek, our usual stopover.  With the current we're facing we knew we couldn't make it from Bashi to Demopolis in one day.

We passed Bashi (mm145) and, in a beautiful day of travel, headed towards Barrons Landing, mm168, and several other places nearby that looked possible (Tuckabum Creek, a bridge, etc.).  We could have done the bridge...but it wouldn't have felt good because of the "neighborhood."  We could have done Barrons Landing, but it wasn't as good as the spot we saw before that, Tuckabum Creek, mm167.5.

We're anchored very close to the entrance of the creek in 20 ft. and it's near perfect, all things considered.  We had a boat with two men come by and talk a few minutes.  "I've never seen anyone anchor in here before," they said.  They usually run a "trot" line at the mouth of the creek...but said they wouldn't tonight.  ;-)  Tomorrow: Demopolis for maybe a night or two.

Maggie May, meantime, is showing off her agility skills. (Well, that's what I say.  Others might see it as stupidity.)  At Panama City she jumped from a standing position up over the gunnels of the boat, over the water, to the dock...to follow me as I left the boat.  Well, today she topped that.  See this "walk-around" that surrounds the bridge?



Well, today she worked her way under the curtains to the bridge, under the curtain around the back deck, and out onto that ledge.  Wayne was sitting closest to that side and just happened to see her along side him!  He got up and swiftly (but quietly so's she wouldn't flench and fall off) picked her up by the handle on her life jacket.  Whew!  My sister, Reba, says we need to invent a "retriever" for dogs.  A rope would remain tied to the dog's life jacket so they could be "reeled in" if overboard.  Yeah.  If a big fish doesn't get her first!  ;-)

Sunday, April 29, 2018 - We rested easy last night.  Awoke at 5:30AM to what was obviously the first and only tow to pass us all night.  We were on the river again by 6:15AM.

As we did yesterday, we "played" the sides of the channel to keep out of the direct current.  That way we kept our speed in the 5-6 mph range.  It was a beautiful day of travel, again.  Passed one tow and were aware of two other tows ahead of us and heading to Demopolis Lock.  Fortunately, by the time we got there, around 2:30PM, we had a very short wait for the gates to open.  Good thing, too, considering the swirling water going on below the Lock...



This trip on the river, so far, has been calling back memories of the Mississippi River and it's eddies ...and the flooded Illinois River.

We're anchored tonight in Foscue Creek, which is delightfully flush with water.  ;-) 

Monday, April 30, 2018 -

Our plan today is to go over to Demopolis Yacht Harbor for the day and leave tomorrow morning for parts north.  Will post as Verizon allows... ;-).

Here are some pictures we want to keep as remembrances of this trip...

The swampy area we traveled in between Apalachicola and Panama City...

Maggie and I passed by this daily on our walks around the neighborhood.  I think Coachman Lane could use one of these!

A few chuckles from our favorite oyster place in Panama City, Hunt's Oysters.

A picture of our boat, Journey while docked at St. Andrews Bay, Panama City.  See the two pilings (wooden logs with pointed white tops)?  In between the two pilings...about a 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the picture with navy blue canvasing?  That's Journey.  ;-)

Magster in her next to favorite spot on the bridge.  Her favorite spot is our laps.

Ingram Bayou....

Muddy waters coming up the Mobile River to Demopolis.

Views of the river channel as we were anchored at the mouth of Tuckabum Creek.

Ingram Bayou

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 -

We had a fairly good trip today from Ft. Walton Beach to Ingram Bayou.  It was a little windy in the afternoon.

We did manage to see the Blue Angels' practicing as we made our way towards Pensacola.  Woohoo!!

Stopped at Bear Point Marina for fuel, water...and a walk for Maggie.  Anchored now in Ingram Bayou and anticipating a trip across Mobile Bay to the rivers tomorrow.

Night view from St. Andrews Marina....

Apalachicola to Panama City

Monday, April 23, 2018- (I put the year there because I'm so behind in posting.  One of my friends said she really liked the blog...back when I was doing it.  ;-)

We had a pleasant trip from Apalachicola to Panama City.  The day was a bit chillier than we've had here recently...69 degrees.  We passed by the Impenetrable Swamp today.  Doesn't that sound like a great title for a reality TV series...or a horror movie?  We anchored about a mile away from St. Andrews Marina and went in the next day for our stay.

We like this marina more and more.  Laid back area of town in the St. Andrews Historical District and a very safe, comfortable place to leave the boat while we go back to Knoxville for a few days. 

We got to Panama City on Monday, April 9.  While catching up on laundry, groceries, etc., we made plenty of time for walking the neighborhood and eating at a couple of the local restaurants: Hunts' Oyster Bar several times (yes, Wayne continues to indulge and the oysters here were $9.99/dozen compared to Apalachicola's $12.99.); and St. Andrews Coffee House where we had both a great lunch and breakfast.  We highly recommend both!

On Tuesday the 10th of April we had the pleasure of visiting with Rich and Mary Gano.  They invited us to attend their cruising club for dinner.  It was a small, friendly group and we greatly enjoyed their company and the Gano's.

On Wednesday the 11th, we picked up our rental car for the trip back to Knoxville.  We were gone from April 12-17...arriving back in Panama City on the 18th.  We gathered late minute groceries and turned our rental in that afternoon.  Shortly after, Wayne learned that his Aunt Juanita had died.  She was in a nursing home in Springfield, TN, and had been ill for some time.  We made reservations for another rental car which we picked up Friday afternoon. 

On Saturday the 21st we drove to Springfield and attended the receiving of friends.  Wayne was able to visit with his cousins and relatives.  We drove that evening back to Cullman, AL, where we spent the night.

Got back to St. Andrews on Sunday the 22nd to find Panama City was under a tornado watch that evening.  The wind was screaming and there was even some thunder and lightening.  We were delighted to wake up this morning and find the winds had died down and we could finally leave Panama City!

Today we were going to the Ft. Walton Beach area.  We had in mind an anchorage the cruising group had mentioned which is before the bridge on the opposite side of Ft. Walton Beach docks.  The weather was perfect up until around noon when we entered the Choctawahatchee Bay.  For the last three hours of our trip the winds increased and the waves followed their lead.  It was just rough enough that the three of us were huddled on the bridge for several hours, not daring to go down the stairs to main cabin. 

FINALLY we got close enough to land on both sides, as we approached Ft. Walton Beach, that things eased up a bit.  We checked out the anchorage we had targeted...but ended up deciding on Ft. Walton Beach docks with double lines for the west wind blowing.  ;-)  Tomorrow should be nicer and we plan to aim for Ingram Bayou with a stop at Bear Point Marina for refueling before the trek up the rivers.

Sleep tight (I know we will!) and "talk with you soon."  ;-)

Ingram Bayou to Apalachicola

Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 -

Quiet night at Ingram Bayou--full moon!

Left around 8 AM thinking we'd refuel at Bear Point Marina, but they were unresponsive on the phone and channel 16.  Easter Sunday.  We'll get fuel elsewhere.

BTW, a note about Eastern Shore Marine.  We've talked a couple of times now to Bob and Vicky Riggs and found out from them that the city of Fairhope has taken over management of the marina.  The docks are still open while they renovate and update...but there is no fuel available right now because there was a problem with the underground fuel tanks.  We had seriously considered going over there for a night, despite the fact that those docks are not at all "friendly" for boats of our height (low).  But...when we called the message said that number was disconnected.

Headed for Ft. Walton Beach city docks.  17 days of boat food (the great restaurant at Goosepond was closed because it was Monday)...16 days of travel: we're ready to be near a town and have easy land access! ;-)

Talked with a friendly tow operator on the Cooper Devall as we approached the Pensacola cut.  He was coming from the east, so we were going to meet.  We agreed to back down and wait for him to get through the cut.  Meanwhile, we talked.

He said he hoped the sailboat (gently moving, sails a-furl) would move.  "They may not realize that tonnage beats sails.  Steel don't give!"  We have a new phrase to kick around.

Everyone was out this Easter Sunday enjoying the weather and the day off!

We pulled into Ft. Walton Beach that afternoon in time to take a little stroll around.  Ft. Walton Beach, this area at least, has changed a lot for the better since we were last here.  The park by the docks is large and well kept.  There are 12 slips and we were the only ones there for a while.  We were joined later by a pretty old boat that had been salvaged and renovated by a man, his wife, and their 4 yr. old son.  They are living aboard and are staying at Destin, but just decided to bring the boat over for the evening.

We put all kinds of fenders and lines out for this stay.  The NO WAKE ZONE begins at the western edge of the dock...but getting waked has always been a hazard of staying here.  The place is a "pull" for boaters because it's free...and there's a Publix 2 blocks away, not to mention all kinds of restaurants (and tattoo parlors).  It being a weekend, and Easter weekend at that, there were a lot of boats passing the dock.

Monday, April 2, 2018 -

We did a grocery run at Publix, had lunch at the Boardroom Pub & Grub, and I walked a couple of miles.  When I got back to the boat, Wayne was ready to pack up and move on.  While I was gone the boat got badly waked, injuring some varnish on the rails and the stainless rub rail.  You just don't mess with our varnish or rub rail!

So...we decided to leave Ft. Walton Beach, stop by Destin for a few gallons of fuel to carry us over until we get to St. Andrews Marina and their diesel at $2.83, including tax...and then go anchor nearby at Joe's Bayou.

Destin harbor was a mess: 2 large dredges, all sorts of fenders out marking off little passageways. a buzillion jetskis, pontoon boats...you get the picture.  We hit (well, not literally, though we could have) the first marina we came to, Destin Marina.  We took on a bit of fuel then found our way over to Joe's Bayou for the night.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018 -

Left Joe's Bayou at 7:10 AM and got to St. Andrews Marina by 2:30.  We had a good crossing of the Choctawhatchee Bay...and a pretty ride in the long, straight section of the ICW that leads up to West Bay.

Took on fuel at the marina, then went over to Smack Bayou for the evening.  We had wanted to anchor here on the first loop trip, but it was a weekend and it was packed!  It's a neat little hole.  We're on the back deck enjoying a show by F-18 aircraft (Wayne thinks they're practicing for the Blue Angels).  And, we have our own personal diving show from a brown pelican.  Life is good!

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 - 

I woke up this morning to Wayne saying, "Get up, Doris!"  The wind was whipping and in a minute it started pouring rain.  We got up, had coffee, checked the weather forecast and decided we could move on in spite of the rain.

Well, it turned out to be quite a pleasant day.  It looked like rain was going to start anytime...but didn't.  We made it to Apalachicola with no problem.  A lot of this day was spent in a straight canal...bordered on each side by greenery and not much else!

We're staying at the Water Street Hotel and Marina.  Nice place, reasonably priced, gorgeous views of the surrounding marsh and Scipio Creek, AND it has floating docks.  We went over the first evening for oysters on the half shell (Wayne will have them at least once a day while we're here).  We started out at Boss Oyster, but after waiting 20 minutes with menus and no drinks, we decided to try elsewhere.

Went to Hole in the Wall, recommended to me by a friend who frequents Apalachicola.  It's a small place with family style seating and bar stools  The bar was filled so we sat down at a table with two other couples.  Turns out that one of the couples, Rod and Mary Lee Raulerson, had lived aboard on the Tennessee River and Tenn-Tom.  The boat they had (which looked like a twin to Ken and Brenda's Tellico Lady) was named NO MO YD WK.  Cute. ;-)

The evening was entertaining, talking with them about cruising and their life now at Mexico Beach, FL.  The (singular) waitress was quite a character.  "She'll cuss you out in a heartbeat," says Rob.  Hmmm.  Just what you want in a waitress.  But, all went well, the food was good.

Thursday, April 5, 2018 -

Lunched at the Owl Cafe, a place we've loved in the past and had looked forward to on this trip.  We ate up on the outside deck and had a nice, secluded spot from which we could watch the goings on in town.  Wayne ordered oysters on the half shell and we ordered a hamburger to split.  After a good bit of time had passed (but, we're on vacation here so didn't want to get wound up about time), we were served the hamburger.  No sign of the oysters, so we requested those...again.  The server went away to check on them.  Fifteen to twenty minutes passed and no oysters.  Wayne would normally want to eat those before anything else, but the hamburger was getting cold so we decided to eat.  We considered cancelling the oysters...but, hey, that's part of why we came here.  We'd almost finished the burger when our waitress appeared with the oysters and an apology: she'd forgotten about them.

All of that was disappointing...but the final insult came when our credit card was hit with a $65 charge, about twice what our meal cost.  We questioned the waitress and she apologized again, saying she had accidentally switched our meal with another table.  She said the $65 charge would only be "pending" and that within 24 hours it would disappear.  We'll probably go there again sometime since we've had one really good experience and one really bad.

Friday, April 6, 2018 -

Leisurely day.  Ate at Up the Creek...oysters and hamburger again.  Pretty good, though they only do burgers well done. ? View was great...it's right on Scipio Creek.  We walked around and I shopped some.  Took Maggie for several walks.  She's going to get spoiled with this land walk drill instead of the poop pad aboard.

Looking at tomorrow's weather and the predicted thunderstorms and rain, we decided we could use another day here in Apalachicola.  We called to extend our stay through Saturday.

We had the nicest neighbors in our slip, the Black family from Georgia.  They fished or cruised around the area some part of every day on their flat boat.

Saturday, April 7, 2018 -

So-o-o glad we decided to stay another day here in Apalachicola.  We could have traveled in this weather...but it would not have been fun.  It started raining and storming around 10 AM and hasn't stopped yet.  Sometimes it slows to a light rain...but then picks right back up.  Maggie May will have nothing to do with it.

We walked up to Caroline's on the River for brunch.  The food was really good (and, yes, Wayne had raw oysters).  The place was struggling a bit, though.  They are under new management and intend to change the menu, but haven't yet.  There was no lettuce for salads...nor cukes for their cukes/tomatoes/feta cheese salad.  I started to order the lemony pancakes with raspberry butter.  Glad I didn't, since the table next to us got their order of the pancakes only to be told then that there were no raspberries.  The wait staff was really trying, though, and were very attentive and friendly.  After brunch (as the rain came down) I walked around a bit taking in the Art Walk going on today.  Came back to the boat...and caught up on the blog!! ;-)  Tomorrow we're off towards Panama City.

Some of our photo memories from this stay on Scipio Creek.

Maggie found something to carry home every day....

And...we had our own personal pelican to watch.

Our view from Caroline's this morning.  Before the rain.

After the rain started!

Foscue Creek to Ingram Bayou

Wednesday, March 28, 2018 -

Foscue Creek was great, as usual.  We left Demopolis lock at 7:15 this morning...headed for Bashi Creek.  We had a good push...9mph or better...so decided mid-trip to push on to Okatuppa Creek, mm 123.2.  That way we won't need to stay on the side of the river at Sunflower Cutoff.  Coffeeville will be our last lock until we return in May!  ;-)  Yippee!!

We spent a good bit of yesterday evening planning routes and "schedules" for our travel on the Panhandle.  (Good signals on Verizon.)  We've decided to go all the way out to Apalachicola taking 3 or 4 days, then work our way back.  We want to spend a few days in Apalachicola, then go to St. Andrews Marina in Panama City for a few days before we leave the boat to come home April 13-18.  Pensacola for a few days...and enticing anchorages all along the way will round out the trip.  Hoping to be home in time to visit Dave and family before the Alaskan cruise, June 5-19.

So, we made it down to Okatuppa Creek, mm 123.2, having done 90.8 miles today.  Nice anchorage with wind protections...and only about 7 miles above Coffeeville Lock.  Did I mention that's our LAST LOCK for a while??!!

Remember the slow boat that was "with" us from Bay Springs down a ways?  Well, they left Demopolis right before we locked down this morning.  We passed them on our way down here.  We tried to call them on channel 16, but no answer.  They were driving from the uncovered bridge and either they couldn't hear us or didn't have the radio on.

We contacted a tow on down the way as we were meeting it on a tight curve.  We asked whether one or two whistle pass and he said, "Whichever one makes you feel good.  I'll probably fill up the whole channel."  As we were turning the corner on a one whistle he said, "Bring it on if you can!"  We did...and got by him.  He didn't lie about taking up the whole waterway, either!

So, after we passed him we thought we'd better tell him about the boat then a couple of miles behind us that had no radio and no AIS.  Gads!  There's a long, winding way yet to go on these rivers!

Thursday, March 29, 2018 -

We left Okatuppa Creek with the threat of storms and winds this afternoon and evening.  We were coming out of Coffeeville Lock at 8:15 AM., not sure how far we'd go today.  We have stopped at Sunflower Cutoff several times; but, being right alongside the river, it might not be as protected as we'd like.  Sunflower is around mm 79 and the next anchorage we'd come to is Three Rivers Lake, mm 63.8.  Three Rivers would be more protection, so we set our expectations on that site. 

It worked out really well (Wayne says it's "clean living.")  We had a few sprinkles of rain and facing the south wind was a bit rough...but we made it to Three Rivers just before it started raining in earnest.  And, we heard our first thunder, saw lightning. 

Right now we're calmly afloat on our anchor.  Hoping for pretty skies tomorrow so we can get down within striking distance of the Panhandle ICW. ;-)

Friday, March 30, 2018 -

Left Three Rivers Lake and traveled an easy day to Tensas River Cutoff, Big Briar Creek mm 12.2.  Beautiful setting.  Had speeds above 9mph all day.

Saturday, March 31, 2018

Marine weather reports had a small craft advisory out for south Mobile Bay until 11 AM, so we waited until 9 AM to leave our anchorage figuring it would take us that long, at least, to get there.  The "trouble" came in the shipping channel coming out of Mobile when we got behind a huge vessel (900+ feet long) with a bit of a wake...and had a wind bringing on waves to our beam.  Not good. 

Wayne and I had taken Bonine the night before but when I went down to make sandwiches for lunch I realized I needed another...and that Maggie might need something.  I called our vet in Knoxville and asked about dosing of Bonine for Maggie and she said OK for half a 25 mg tablet.  When we traveled with Lucy we'd give her half a Dramamine before rough water...and she'd stay in our stateroom during the trip.  Maggie has traveled more time on the bridge with us and was there today.  I brought up another Bonine for Wayne and a half tablet wrapped in peanut butter for Maggie.  Wayne and I were OK.  Maggie got, well, sick as a dog about 20 minutes later.  By then the boat was lurching so much that I couldn't take her downstairs, so I held her and tried to be her stabilizer.  She went to sleep in my arms.  An hour later, when we had exited the shipping channel and were facing the waves to our advantage, she rallied and felt fine.  ;-)  We have a little permanent stain of a reminder on the chart book for lower Tenn-Tom, though, to remind us to give Maggie a Bonine before crossing big water.  ;-)

We are currently anchored in the lovely Ingram Bayou around Orange Beach, AL.  The windows are open and the sun is shining.  Life is good.  Tomorrow we motor to Little Sabine Bay for the night...a relatively short trip considering the past 17 days.  That's 17 days of "boat food," mind you.  We're ready for a meal out in Apalachicola!!!

The latest in fashion for those chilly days on the rivers...





Yes...you definitely need a radio on the Tenn-Tom!  Check out those blind curves!





Wayne and Maggie checking morning emails.





Briar Creek anchorage in the morning....;-)

Bay Springs to Foscue Creek

Saturday, March 24, 2018 -

Pulled up achor at 8:10 this morning.  We slept in until 7 having done 80 miles yesterday!  Went through Whitten, Montgomery, Rankin, and Fulton Locks.  Anchored near Smithville Marina.  BTW...Since Bay Springs we've been followed by a larger boat with an engine problem (vibration) that causes them to travel much slower than we do.  AND....we've waited on them for each lock.  They are staying tonight at Smithville Marina so we're all really close to Wilkins Lock.  Our plan is to get up early and get a lock between us.

Sunday, March 25, 2018 -

We pulled up anchor at 6:35 AM and were tied up in Wilkins Lock by 7:10.  We went all the way to Columbus Marina today and arrived at 1 PM.

We'd tried calling Columbus several times before we got there and gotten no answer...even though the website said they opened at 10 on Sunday.  We had some contingency plans in case they were closed for some reason.  We finally reached them at noon and talked with the new manager, Steve.  "T" Caldwell died right before Christmas of last year when he suffered a blood clot after an otherwise successful back surgery.  R.I.P "T".  He was a good guy.

Monday, March 26, 2018 -

We woke up a little early this morning...5:30.  Looking out on AIS we saw a two a couple of miles north of us and Stennis Lock.  Wayne called the lock operator and he confirmed that the tow would be going through before us....and it would probably be around 8AM before we'd lock through.  We settled back with our coffee and email.

Shortly after, Wayne checked on the tow again...and now it was sitting still 2 miles back.  When we called the lock the operator said that the tow had not called the lock yet, so he could let us through since he had the doors open already.  We quickly unplugged and eased into the lock.  We ended up getting out of the lock at 7:30.  We were heading for Sumter Landing for our anchorage, 70 miles south and one more lock, so we were glad to have the extra time.

It was cooler today...low 60's they say, but windy and no sunshine.  We ran the heater on the bridge for a while until it warmed up some.  We made the trip through Bevill Lock with no wait and now we're anchored for the night at Sumter Landing.

We did orchestrate passes today with two northbound tows.  We were in a twisty section of the river both times, so had too hang back a little with one as he made a turn and did a 2 whistle on the other...again to avoid being mowed down as the tow made a turn.  Tood to have a little excitement in an otherwise pretty quiet day!

Oh, yes, and we got a call from Steve, the new manager at Columbus, asking if we'd heard anything unusual this morning around 4:30.  We hadn't...nor did Maggie, since she's quick to bark at "intruders."  Apparently someone tried to break in the marina office and stole a work truck parked in the parking lot.  Boaters beware!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 -

Spent a nice, quiet night at Sumter.  Called Heflin Lock and were able to get down there for a lock through before 2 northbound tows arrived.  Kinda cool this morning, but warmed up in the afternoon when the sun came out.

We stopped at Demopolis Yacht Basin for fuel, water, and trash disposal...Then on over to Foscue Creek for the rest of the afternoon.  We took this time to plan out the rest of the trip down the rivers...and catch up on the blog!  Good connection with Verizon, but TV has the usual kids, create, and world channels.  Looks like more of Law and Order Season 1 tonight!  ;-)

Tomorrow we're aiming for Bashi Creek.

And now for some pictures....

Layers of rock, greenery, trees on the cut-through down from Yellow Creek to Bay Springs

Then color with spring blooms as we got nearer to Bay Springs Lake

A grainy picture...but best I could get of white pelicans migrating to the north.

...And the Magster chasing a bug under the stored deck chairs....

Decatur to Bay Springs Lake

Thursday, March 22, 2018-

We huddled down in Decatur, AL, at the Riverwalk Marina for two nights.  Winds on Wednesday were even worse than on Tuesday...30 mph gusts.  The temperature reached in the lower 50's...but it sure didn't feel like it!  Maggie and I got out for two brief walks and she loved it.  Me?  I was ready to come back in the moment we stepped out!

So this morning we woke up to a chilly 30-something...but no wind.  We pulled out of the marina, short wait for the Southern Railway Bridge as a train came through, then off down the Tennessee River.  We had about an hour wait at Joe Wheeler Lock as a tow was being moved through so we tied up to the auxiliary lock wall at the suggestion of the lockmaster. 

We tried hailing Wilson Lock when we were about 1/2 mile out...no answer.  Kept trying when we got close, still no response on 16, 13, 14 or phone.  Two towboats ahead of us seemed to have as little info as us as one called us to say, "we're as much in the dark as you are."

There were also two tows below the lock and absolutely no action in the lock.  We had one call from the lock and they said they would put us on the list.  We anchored at the closest cove on the RDB for the wait.  Around 5 PM we decided we wouldn't be able to get through before sunset and went back up the lake a little ways to a good anchorage for the night.

Friday, March 23, 2019 -

Hailed Wilson Lock when we were ready to pull anchor around 7 AM.  No answer.  After several tries we decided we needed to be "in their face" and left the cove to go down to the arrival point where we called again.  Finally a response...and "come on down to the long wall and wait for the green light."  An hour and 15 minutes later...after the lock had been emptied and a PC brought in for the upward ride... we got a signal to enter the lock. 

This was THE WORST experience we've ever had at a lock and it was totally because of the lack of communication.  We understand priorities in tows, etc.....but when they won't tell you what's happening, that's not right.

We traveled, finally free of Wilson, from there to around mile 417 on Bay Springs Lake and are anchored in the first deep cove on the right. 

Safe, still

Tuesday, March 20th, 2018

Just a note to let you know we are safe and sound from last night's storms. We did have a siren sound for tornado watch and had some rain, some Thunder and lightning. We may see more damage as we head down the river today.  More later...

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 -

We didn't see any damage as we came down the river today.  But we DID see waves of 3-4 ft. for 2 hours yesterday afternoon  while we came thru Wheeler Lake and into Decatur, AL, Riverwalk Marina.  Gusts were up in the 20mph range and the temperature kept falling.  By the time we got to Riverwalk we were exhausted AND frozen!  With today's weather calling for wind gusts 30mph...and it's a chilly wind, even though the thermometer reads in the low 50's...we decided to spend an extra night here and see this front through.  We're enjoying a lazy day. ;-)

Sewee to Goosepond

Sunday March 18th 2018

Well the adventure has begun! Cruisers know that cruising is an adventure, not a big vacation. And we had our first Adventure this weekend.   It all started on Friday morning. Wayne noticed that his leg was itching, and asked me to see what it look like. It looked like shingles. 

Now we've been told that shingles isn't contagious and I found sources that go further to say "unless you come in contact with the lesions). Dermatologist, internist, pediatrician...all said the same thing. So... We went to visit David and family during the time I had shingles about a month ago. David got shingles a couple of weeks later... And now Wayne. Just saying! 

So we left Sewee Creek Saturday morning and made it down to Chattanooga in time to go to an ER. We called Lyft and who should show up but Sam, the driver that had taken me to a walk-in clinic back in September of last year. Sam recommended Memorial Medical Center and took us there. We checked in only to realize it would be a 3 hour wait. We decided to wait until Sunday morning to visit the when the wait time should be less. Called Sam and he took us back to our boat home for the night.

This morning Sam picked us up and we met Joe, Sam's husband.  I couldn't get the Lyft app to see Sam's car... So they ended up taking us to the hospital, coming back to pick us up, and dropping me off at the pharmacy near the boat so I could get Wayne's meds for, yes, shingles. Thank you Sam!! 

Armed with steroids, antivirals, and pain meds, we left Chattanooga Waterfront front at 12:30 p.m. 

There's a storm a-brewing tomorrow afternoon in areas we will traverse. We are anchored tonight at Burns Island, mile 420. Got through Nickajack Lock before a tow was coming up stream. Tomorrow we hope to be in a covered slip at Goose Pond Colony Marina by the time the severe storms (that is winds,rain, and hail) begin.

Monday March 19th, 2018

We left Burns Island at around 8:10 and went through several big downpours of rain before the skies cleared up a bit.  We took on fuel when we got to Goosepond and are now safely tied up in a covered slip...ready as we'll ever be for the severe weather expected this evening.  We borrowed the loaner car and picked up a few groceries, then Maggie and I took a nice hour-long walk.  That pup's a good walker!  She needed it, too.

Sewee Creek

We had another good day on the water today. A little cool this morning, but it warmed up nicely during the day to about  high 60s. (I ended up in short sleeve shirt! ). We had an easy tansit through Fort Loudon lock and Watts Bar lock.. to an anchorage at Sewee Creek, mile marker 525.5, around 5 p.m. It's a nice quiet place right now as we're sitting on the back deck. We're anchored in about 9 feet and let out about 30 feet of chain. It's a place about like Bashi Creek, maybe a bit wider. 
We got a nice push coming out of Watts Bar... Almost up to 11 miles per hour! 
Maggie's enjoying the trip so far... Probably because we kept her up on the bridge for a lot of the day. 

Tomorrow we hope to make it through Chickamauga lock and have reservations at the Chattanooga Waterfront. You may notice I'm blogging daily?  I finally found a good blogging app for my Android phone and can record from my written journal for the day! Don't hold me to a daily schedule... But surely I will do better than last trip. :-)

Off to the Panhandle of Florida!

So...we had planned to leave on Monday, but it was a bit too cool.  Left Concord around noon and (after fueling up at Ft. Loudon Marina and filling up with water) we are anchored near mile 604 in a little cove that should give us some protection from the wind this evening.  Tomorrow we hope to make it down to Watts Bar Lock.