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....;-)
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