Storms ...

Incredible.  We're getting drifts here that obstruct access to the beach!  What  the hell is going on?!  This is weather more consistent with the northern states where we "used" to reside.  Not down here in  Pensacola.

It's severely disappointing to trudge through 2 and 3 foot drifts to get to the ocean!  What's the world coming too!? !  And no one sells snow shovels down here!  What?  Do I have to call Lorleberg's and order one?

Drifts

More drifts!










There is something amiss here!  Perhaps certain residents of Florida, who we know have rather unsavory reputations (and I know where you all live!), have deliberately disturbed the weather gods who have seen fit to make it inconvenient for us to journey south where it's warm (Tampa was 81 while we were at at fiery 47!)?  It remains unclear why this is happening, but we continue to ponder this in our long underwear sipping copious quantities of alcohol to prevent perishing in the frigid north winds.

It's going to be so cold tonight I put a heater in the engine room (sorry Mary) so our engines wont get too cold.  I hope we can actually start everything up tomorrow morning for our journey to Destin and a Thanksgiving buffet.

I"m still digging for an additional pair of long pants.  Maybe I packed my long underwear?

We have finalized our departure plans.  Leaving tomorrow morning at 7:45 am for Sandestin and Baytown marina.  Hope to make there by 4-5 pm and gorging on turkey by 6:30 pm!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

November 24-25, 2013 Pensacola Beach Marina

Woke this morning to a raging north wind and temps in the low forties.  What state are we in?  Went to flip the breaker that powers up the galley heater only to suddenly notice the AC main breaker was not powered.  Uh Oh.  This situation usually means we are only drawing 30 amps not 50 from dock side power!

 So on the coldest morning in recent memory with a 30 mph north wind whipping a fine mist off the water I bravely went out to wrestle with the 50 amp plug out of  the receptacle so I could try another.  Couldn't budge it off the first time. But I returned with my lock handling rubber gripper gloves and was able to twist it off and then plug it into a different 50 amp outlet.  Success!  We now have heat!

Yes, it  maybe the warmest part of the day and all but whats a little more warmth.  We're in Florida after all and since Florida's furnace seems to be malfunctioning I'm stepping up and providing as much heat as possible to help the poor state limp back to respectability as a warm place.

Making water

I brought the water maker back to full capacity by putting the newly replaced 3rd membrane back in line with the other two.  Fired it up and aside from a few tiny leaks which responded to the wrench, all is well!  So we made water, and did some laundry.

Pensacola Naval Air Museum

Field Trip and Arin E both rented cars and since we have time we headed off to the Pensacola Naval Air Museum which is in the Pensacola Naval Air Base.  We were told they check everyone's ID when entering the base.  Someone though forgot to bring along their purse so we spent a few seconds wondering if the whole car would be shunted off to a small interrogation garage.  But no, only Martha the driver had to show her drivers license and we were waved through.

Wonderful place!  We even ate a really good meal at the CUBI Cafe.  Could have spent many more hours in there but they do close around 5 pm and usher people out.

On the return trip we stopped at Joe Patti's  a stellar Florida Sea Food emporium.  We didn't purchase anything but the variety of sea food was pretty astounding.  All fresh and on ice.  Reminiscent of Pikes Place in Seattle.





We had an early night except for a quick discussion on the weather and when to leave.  Nothing much decided other than the winds are strong and the forecast keeps changing for the worse.  It looks like we'll be here for at least another few days.

Today, Monday we just hung around the boat most of the day.  I took a long walk around the vicinity but most establishments are closed up for the season and the Gulf was kicking up pretty good so walking on the beach wasn't pleasant.

The increasingly strong winds and temperatures in the 50's drove us inside for most of the day.  I did move our boat forward about 3 feet to keep a the swim platform from banging on the concrete pier pilings when the winds swing around to the northwest tonight.  They are blowing out of the east now which is keeping us off the dock.   And we'll have plenty of rain tonight too.  Just another day in paradise ...

We've had alter our Thanksgiving plans in light of the weather.  We were at first going to try and find a place here that was hosting a Thanksgiving Buffet.  Instead everyone seems to think just driving to Destin (about 90 minutes away) is a fabulous plan.  And since we have two cars I guess we'll be driving there.  Martha and Pat will be doing the driving.

Jeff and Bob are mulling over leaving on Thursday to head east.  The forecasts will become more refined on Wednesday so they may revise their plans.  We'll be discussing this tonight at our planing meeting at 5pm.

Captain Ron, the dock master from Baytown Marina in Destin called me again today and I gave him our latest plan which is simply, we'll be there Friday.  They have a Webcam so once we're situated we'll wave every once in a while.

Meanwhile we're keeping the heaters running.  And I felt we were totally prepared for Florida when we got the air conditioners back on line a few weeks ago!  Sheez ...

November 23-24, 2013 Pensacola Beach Marina Pensacola, FL

Sole occupant when we pulled into Ingram Bayou

When we pulled into Ingram Bayou last night there was a lone sailboat anchored there in the calm waters.  We went in and anchored several hundred yards away but one of the sailboat crew shouted over asking if we were going to raft up all of our 5 boats on the side towards their boat.  It struck me as a rather odd concern but I shouted back our with our usual raft-up configuration which seemed to placate them. 

During our normal planning/cocktail meeting it was noted the weather forecast had changed for the the next few days.  Instead of "windy" and "breezy" it simply stated "gale force winds".  Basically it meant the weather was going to present a problem.  We had intended on anchoring closer to Destin but this forecast rendered that idea null and void.  So our goal was to find a marina as far east as we could travel.

Leaving Ingram Bayou at 6:15 AM

We ran out of the Bayou and back into the ICW with a light fog.  And at 6:15 AM.  The fog gave me a chance to tweak our radar now that it's functional again.  The air was almost still and the water flat.  Too bad it was cloudy and foggy.

Back in Florida!

The transition from Alabama to Florida was hard to discern but  when we began seeing condos, white sand and big fast boats It became clear we were home!  Oddly though the temperatures remained cool and the sun hidden away behind the clouds.  You'd think at least a little sun to welcome us back.

Approaching the marina

We finally reached a marina, Pensacola Beach Marina which had room for us.  There were several other choices further away from the Intra Coastal Waterway but we wanted to be close to the ICW for the run to Destin which will be about 55 miles.

Pensacola Beach Marina is located in Little Sabine Bay which is small bay with a narrow entrance.  It's pretty shallow in there and Field Trip momentarily ran aground but was able to back off.  We ended up on the face dock and I was able to spin the boat so we're pointed out towards the channel.

Oddly enough we were pretty much tied up and secure before noon.  This getting up at 6 am might have a small benefit.  Maybe ...

The marina has no bathrooms open during the night.  No showers and no laundry.  A bit sparse on services but located adjacent to an entertainment district.  Just what we need is yet more places to go out and eat.  If this continues we'll need to buy a bigger boat to handle our expanding girth.

But luckily the beach is a few blocks from the marina so we availed ourselves of the afternoon hours with nothing to do and walked the beach.  The winds began to pickup in earnest as we started back and by the time we reached the boat they were roaring out of the north.  North winds means chilly air.

For some reason when it gets cold and windy we always seem to go out an eat.  Which we did.  Field Trip and Arin E both rented cars so were were able to drive the four blocks to the place.  Decadent!

We returned and headed off to bed as the boat rocked and the lines groaned under the strain.  It's supposed to be worse tomorrow but the forecast seems to be changing every few hours so who knows.  But as it looks now, we wont be leaving here for at least another day or two.

November 21-22, 2013 Dog River Marina Mobile, AL

After a few false starts caused by equipment problems we, as a group are finally ready to leave tomorrow.  Pat and Chip returned from their automobile travels and Jeff and Judy seem to be recovered enough from bronchitis to tackle the 44 mile run tomorrow.  And we, after  3 (yes, that is THREE) failed water pumps are finally able to use the water on board again (thanks Shawn).  But we're planning on leaving tomorrow.

Mary, Judy, Brent and Bob

And so of course we had to have a leaving the marina party.












Wait.  Not so Fast!  We were actually ready to leave this morning but the new, high tech water pump I bought for a princely sum failed after this morning and so we simply went and purchased yet another pump. But a very simple and less powerful model than the one we had on board all these months.  It works.  So we are happy.

Unfortunately that cost us another day here at Dog River Marina.  But we have Friday to get to an anchorage (Ingram bayou)  and we'll decide then whether to stay there for a few days or move on deepening on the weather.  Its supposed to be very windy and crappy out the next few days but forecast sources all differ on the intensity of the winds.  We will see I guess.

Heading out int MObile Bay from Dog River

So this morning we waited until 9am to leave while the guys from Turner marine tried to get Jeff's AIS working.  No joy.  So we proceeded out into Mobile bay for the 20+ mile journey down the bay and into the Intercoastal waterway.   Seems like we're coming home.

LuLu (Jimmy Buffets sister)

The ICW here is a long ditch for about 15 miles until it opens up into several bays with barrier islands.  

Ingram Bayou anchorage

But tonight we're anchored in Ingram Bayou which is very quiet and uncrowded.  Its close to Pensacola Bay.











Further on down the ICW there a barrier islands with ICW on one side and the Gulf on the other.  One can anchor and dinghy to shore for a walk on the beach.  Except the weather is turning nasty with strong northerly winds bringing with it a chill.  Ugh.  We're deciding tonight where we want to ride out the winds.  But we did decide to stay at Baytown marina which is in Sandestin, the resort where we've been spending the last few winters.

November 12-20, 2013 Dog River Marina Mobile, AL

We're still unsure of how long we will be here, probably at least until next Tuesday or Wednesday.  It's all dependent on the work being completed.  And we're traveling with Field Trip and a few other boats so will stay with them if their work is delayed.

But it's not like we have to dash off to meet a schedule or anything.  Just planning on anchoring out near the beaches as we make the 100 mile journey towards Destin and their Thanksgiving buffet which, so I was told, we are attending.

Also found out we wont have to pay any dockage fes  if our yard/repair bill exceeds $1500!  What a bargain!


Wednesday November 13, 2013

Dog River looking out towards the entrance road

We explored the marina a little yesterday.  Its definitely a working boat yard.  No pools or bars here!

The clattering check valves

We talked with the boat yard this morning and will be having  an engine guy come out to adjust the valves so I can watch and learn.  We're also having this vexing bilge pump problem taken care of.  The yard manager wants to move these check valves down closer to the pumps to eliminate the chatter and siphon effect.  He wasn't phased when I pointed out one of the pumps was under the generator so I guess that's what they will be doing.

The dead water pump.  Replacement is identical model

Our water pump is dis-functional too.  Earlier I swapped out the old one when it failed.  I replaced it with a  spare I have on board, but the spare just runs until the breaker trips.  After talking with their tech support, I'll be disassembling the check valve assemblies to clean them out which is likely the cause of the problem.  Luckily I can return the original defective pump for a free replacement!  Meanwhile we flip the pump on when we need water but have to be careful because it will create more pressure than some of the hoses and clamps can withstand.  Already had to re-clamp the master head sink water line which as you can probably guess, is back behind a cabinet just large enough to allow one hand and half my head.  Ibuprofen anyone? 

We're having a canvas guy repair a few broken zippers on the fly bridge, one of which is at the joint of the top and windshield. He's also going to replace one of the windows on the sundeck which has developed an expanding crack.

Our radar problem is corrected for now by some simple adjustments to the controls, but it's heading towards failure and cant be repaired.  We do have another radar set on board so its not a critical failure.

It was blowing a cold 20 mph wind yesterday afternoon and into the night the gust increased to around 40mph .  We all had doubled up our lines but still spent a noisy and rocky night with all heaters running.  The winds are moderating now thankfully but it's left us with a band of cold air.  40's cold.  Today we're all huddled in our boats with heaters still roaring and rarely venturing out.  Captive!

Our dinghy cover blew off last night so I was up on the top deck fighting against the wind to get it hauled inside.  I noticed the pontoons on the dinghy were really deflated.  The cold is adversely effecting everything.


Thursday November 14, 2013

Glen, the engine mechanic arrived around 9 this morning and proceeded to set our valve lash.  Nice guy, a Coast Guard reservist with a delightful southern accent.  Calls me Mr. George every once in while.  Usually it's just sir which startles me and I catch myself looking around to see who he's taking too.

Glen took care of the starboard engine, and then ran into a problem with the port engine.  He found the timing pin sheared off.  He was able to extract the little plastic piece but needed to remove the starboard timing pin and  use it in the port engine to set the valves.  He came up with the idea of using a small piece of wood as a replacement though and took it back with him to fit the wood into the housing.  Neat!

The beloved marina F150

After Glen left, six of us packed ourselves into the marina F150 and drove the 10 miles to Walmart where we all stocked up on food.  The Walmart is the only food store that was large enough to carry some of the more  esoteric items we required.  And we knew where it was located (right off I-65).

We came back and had a little cocktail party on board. It turned out to be a hors d'oeuvre dinner for most of us.


Friday November 15, 2013

Curved piping in the center is the new fuel line

Glen the mechanic returned this morning and replaced the marginal high pressure fuel line and the faulty clamp which only had a single screw instead of two.  We also tried to set the idle on both engines but discovered stripped threads on one of  the low speed idle adjustment screws.  Luckily he was able to find another one so we got the idle speeds set to around 700 which is good.

I got the VHF antenna up and cable run through the bulkhead.  Slapped a connector on and now the radio is working normally.

I'm going to have to purchase a new starboard start battery since the slow starting of the starboard engine I was noticing has gotten worse.  It's not the starter according to the mechanic so another AGM group 34 battery will soon be ours.  It's another joyous job of hefting a battery around a corner and into a tight fitting battery box.

While Mary when off walking with some of our cruising partners I took apart the spare water pump I had installed the other day.  The tech support guy thought there would be some debris in the rubber check valves.  I didn't notice any but cleaned it out anyway and put the thing back together only to realize the pump's valve housing rotated 90 degree's putting the two ports pointing in the wrong direction.  So I had to disassemble the whole thing again.

And finally, like a liquid metal man, I flowed into the tiny bilge access whole and re-attached everything.  Flipped the switch and .....  Yeah.  Same result.  So back goes that pump.  I'm ordering a brand new one off the internet tonight and it should (after forking out a startling fee for express delivery) be here Monday.   So we'll ultimately have three water pumps on board.   Meanwhile we shuffle back and forth to the water pump breaker when we want water.  Had to put the ice maker on hold too.  Back to those camping skills again.

The other work we need to have completed seems to be languishing leaving us here at least until next Tuesday.  But on the bright side ... well, on the dimly lit side, there is a Walmart a few miles away and the marina truck is a Ford F150 which sometimes doesn't start unless you jiggle the shifter just the right way.  And we're close to the USS Alabama and some other interesting sights.

At least the TV works and they have a decent internet connection here.  I might even take the time to put our new computer in service as a navigation computer.  But it's 5 o'clock and time for a soothing elixir out on the sundeck where we can watch ducks frolic in the rain.  Hey!  Its the little things in life ....


Saturday November 16, 2013
Planning on taking a little parts buying trip to Walmart, the Cummins dealer, Batteries Plus and NAPA to purchase, food, air filters, a new starting battery and filters.  What better way to spend a cloudy Saturday than driving 40 miles in a flaky truck.

Our new battery

As it turns out I only made it to Batteries Plus where they had a group 34 AGM battery which I bought.  And yes, I have spent less for some cars I've owned over the years than what this cost us.

The owner of the place and I got into a discussion and it turns out he's from Illinois and spent many summers up on Okauchee Lake skiing in Stumpy Bay.  By the time we parted it was too late to head to the NAPA store because I had to have the truck back so my anticipated errand jaunt turned out to be just a battery purchase journey.  There's always Monday though so all is not lost..

You can see our boat along the face dock on the right

Mary and I took a walk over the bridge and kibitzed with a few fellow boaters when we returned and before I started cleaning the stern of the boat.  It's  pretty dirty with exhaust residue and caked mud from some of our recent anchoring episodes.





I think we need one of those really big boats were other people scurry around cleaning and waiting on you. It would be so much easier.

Party!

We're having another cocktail party tonight at 5 so I guess I'll have to vacuum too.  And I had to start up the ice maker so it makes ice again which means we'll have to flip the water pump breaker every half hour or so.

The thin white hose is the line I have to re-attach

And of course the water pump ran a little too long and blew off the master head hot water hose again just as people began leaving.  My theory is the more rum you've drunk the less painful the contortions when repairing things in impossibly small crevices.

Bad picture but trust me, it requires some flexibility beyond what can normally be expected from an aging body.

  

November 11, 2013 Mobile Alabama at Dog River Marina

Early morning rowing out to fetch an anchor

We fetched the stern anchor back aboard about 7:45 and departed Alabama River Cutoff at the reasonably decent hour of 8:00 am.  Better than the 6am stints we were doing the last few days.  But today we only had about 58  miles and we had a secure spot in a marina so it wasn't a rush day.

Our fellow raftee's  untangled from the raft up without an issue and then we hauled up our anchor with only a little mud.  Didn't need a wash down this time.  I spun the boat around and we headed out into the Tombigbee river and started our procession towards Mobile.

No alligator sightings today, a few tows but it was the same old river, long and winding.  We did spot Palmetto growing along one of the banks which was what Chip coined as a "Dixie Alert" which is something native to the south thus signifying our rapid approach to warmth!

Mobile Bay

The approach to Mobile winds through a few junctions of other rivers and as you come around the last bend by 12 mile island you can see the Mobile sky line in the distance and the port facilities right there in front of you.

The port is similar to Norfolk in all its shipping activity.  Very busy!  There are even a few Navy ships here.  The ones we saw were rather bizarre looking things touted to be the latest in technological innovation.

Being passed by a freighter bound for the ocean

We did encounter 2 large ocean going freighters and as we headed out into Mobile Bay, we were passed by one heading out to see.  Quite a wake these guys leave.

As you come out into Mobile Bay it's startling in it's immensity.  Almost like heading out to the ocean since.  Large and shallow with depths in the 7-15 foot range.

The channel to Dog River is off to starboard and is marked by buoys every 1/2 mile or so.  Its several miles to the bridge and the marina.  We arrived there and experienced difficulty establishing radio contact but eventually got the dock master's attention.  Field Trip went directly to a slip since they had electrical problems.  Arine E and ourselves stopped at the fuel dock to refuel.  We were burning about twice the fuel we had been previously simply because we were traveling so fast.  I know 9 mph is snail-like but to us it's 3 miles per hour faster and about twice the fuel consumption.

We headed over to the face dock after fueling up.  They did offer us a covered slip but it was very tight in there and our boat is not easy to maneuver when backing into a narrow slip.  So we took the face dock even though the predicted winds would be howling out of the north over the next few days and blowing us off the dock.  And we are in tidal waters now so lines must be secured with cyclic water level changes in mind.  Fun!




After we were all securely tied up we (all 6 of us) piled into the marina truck, a F-150, and headed across the bridge to Marina Cove to eat fried shrimp.  It's all we seem be eating these days is fried something-or-other.

After we returned we pretty much went to bed.  Wild times here in Mobile!

We're planning on being here at the marina into next week while we have a few boat items taken care of.  We're hoping to make it into Destin by Thanksgiving so we can once again hit the Thanksgiving party at the Hilton in Sandestin.  Heck I might even golf a little if the weather isn't too cold.

We haven't quite figured out where to leave the boat when we head back up north for the holidays.  Not  sure when we'll be going either.  We could try and make a dash across the gulf before mid December and leave the boat near Clearwater or just lollygag around Destin for a few weeks before heading up north for the holidays.  Decisions, Decisions!

November 10, 2013 Alabama River Cutoff, Alabama

The Alabama River Cutoff is really just a river entering the Tombigbee River.  And as it turns out this one is deep for about 1/4 of mile into the river.  However it is narrow but reported to be a wonderful anchorage.  So we decided to give it a try for tonight.

How ever first we had to get there.  And it was Bob who gently informed us we have to leave in 10 minutes in order to make it to the Lock by 6:30 am.  This was at 6:15.  In the morning.  In case you may not have picked up on the fact I should state flat out that we don't get up early very well.    Looking at us fumble around in the cold and dark is probably humorous especially with the unmistakable  wails of "COFFEE" from certain individuals.

Yes, its that early.  Sunrise! 

So we did leave by 6:30 but I was scrambling trying to get everything disconnected and aboard.  And then running down the systems and their switch over from dock-side power to internal battery power.  Busy 10 minutes it was for me.  But we got off the dock and joined the others out on the river and started down towards the Coffeeville Lock.






The Coffieeville Lock is the last lock we have to face until we get to Okeechobee in Florida. We've been through 98 locks so far, beginning in Virginia.  Maybe we're getting good at it?.

In the last lock!

 We arrived at the Lock and went right in, tied up to the Bollard and dropped 40 feet without a problem.  After exiting we formed our usual line formation and headed south!  But only three of us this time since Just Fakin It and Good Grief elected to head down  river at a slower pace.  We'll meet up with them again in Mobile.

One of the few straight areas on the river 

The river was as before, long and winding.  Many switchbacks and in some places we found ourselves less than 1/4 mile from where we were an hour before.  We passed a few tows but the most excitement was when I spotted our first gator on the shore.  It appeared to be an old log which suddenly rose up and waddled into the river.  Wish I could have snapped a picture but I'm guessing there will be ample opportunities in the coming months.

Looking out towards the River from the cutoff

We arrived at the Alabama River Cutoff and went in about 50 yards and tried to anchor a few times but the anchor wouldn't bite so we moved further into the river and finally got a good hold about 200 yards up from the entrance.  Luckliy it was another another wide spot in the narrow channel.   Arine E rafted up next followed by Field Trip.  We waited a bit to see how the boats would move and ultimately decided we needed a stern anchor if nothing else but for piece of mind.

Felt like I was sitting in a 1st graders desk.

So I inflated our little 8 foot doggy dinghy and rowed Chip and Pat's anchor out about 100 feet as a stern anchor.  Our mini dinghy aint big.  Cramped is a more apt description.  But it is pretty easy to blow up and launch in a pinch.  No motor though.  It's a rowing machine.

All settled in for the night

With the anchor out the swing moderated and we all felt a bit of relief especially since the banks of the river were a mere 15 feet from us.  As the sun went down the whole place took on an appearance  reminiscent of the movie, The African Queen.  Didn't see any reptilian creatures even though others have reported sights of many alligators on the river bank and snakes swimming in the waters.





We had everyone on our boat for drinks and then retired to eat dinner and head off to bed after a few episodes of West Wing.  It's a little disconcerting but we're starting to head off to bed around 9pm now days!  Kinda hard to sleep late when we do that.

November 9 Bobby's Fish Camp, Alabama

Leaving Bashi Creek

We woke up this morning in Bashi creek and found that we hadn't moved at all.   Jeff was on the radio a few moments after we woke up wondering when he'd have to dinghy over to us and retrieve our stern anchors.   It took us a little while to get organized but he was over and pulling up the anchors by 8:30 and we shortly there after paraded out the creek to join the rest of our little flotilla.  Good Grief started out ahead of us so it was just 4 boats this time making there way down a lazy river on a cool autumn day.

There was little to see besides the river banks.  And it was only 26 miles.

At mile 118 on the Tem-Tom waterway is a iconic place named Bobby's Fish Camp.  And this is our intended destination today.  Bobby's is the only stop with gas and really the only dock one can tie up to for several hundred miles.  It's ah ... well, it's a fish camp and thus lacks several of the assumed amenities many marina's have these days.  But it's  the only game in town.

Bobby's Fish Camp seen from the river as we approached

Bobby's Fish Camp only has a 150 feet of dock space with 4 electrical outlets and when they are full, they will suggest rafting where by one boat ties off to another boat which is already tied off to the dock. Sometime these rafting arrangement scan reach 3 or 4 boats across.

In our case though we were the first boats there and consumed every square inch of dock space.  Well, it was Us, then Good Grief followed by Field trip on the dock.  Good Grief and Arin E rafted off of the boats tied up.  Any late comers wold be rafted off of us but that didn't happen this night.

Docked at Bobby's Fish Camp

We all agreed that a dinner out would be most apropos so we went to eat at Bobby's Fish Camp restaurant which is famous for it's catfish.  But not before I found the water pump problem (a leak in the hot water line in our head).  The food was pretty good actually.  The place is almost a museum with all this photos and memorabilia.  Ever hear of a gar gator fish?  Well, they got one.  And they had  a picture of an alligator they had to shoot a year before.  It was 12 feet long right on the back near the docks.

Bobby's Fish Camp from our boat

We had an interesting conversation with the original owners niece.  Swedish ancestry.

Headed back to the boat for a peaceful night but others on the dock reported several barges transiting the area which rocked the dock pretty good.  You think we knew?  Yeah, right!

 .

November 8, 2013 Bashi Creek Anchorage Alabama

In the cold (38 degrees) this morning.  We started engines at 6:15am and our starboard engine barely fired up.  Too cold I think.  And we're headed for 200 miles of desolate country side with cold temperatures forecast every morning.  Should prove exciting.

We all departed Kingfisher marina by 6:20 am.  We had called ahead to the Demopolis lock and they would be ready for us by 6:30am.  It was a calm misty morning and as we moved out into the river we were joined by by two other boats, a power catamaran and a large 100 foot motor yacht.   The Lock master called us on the radio and gave specific instructions about entering the lock.  The largest had to enter first and we were second in line so we had to secure to a bollard near the front of the lock.  We eventually all got in and secured, gave our documentation numbers to the lock masters.


This was a 40 foot drop and once the doors were opened we all left in a specific order as well.  The other boats all leaped ahead of us since they were far faster and were intending on making Bobby's Fish Camp while our intended destination was Bashi Creek, a narrow but deep creek about 70 miles away.

We formed our usual line and headed down river at a brisk 10 mph since we had such a long way to go and wanted to anchor in day light.  This is quite a bit faster than we normally travel and we burned quite a bit of fuel.

The river started out as before.  Long, winding and boring.  But then some indications of the south began to appear.  Moss in the trees, and non-hard wood vegetation.  And sandy river banks.

During the journey our water pump died again.  This time though I think fro a loose connection.  So we dredged up are once dormant camping skills and used jugs of water for various "things".  I should mention we can fill the jugs from the wash down pump out on the starboard side.  Not elegant but functional.   I'll wait until we tie up at Bobby's Fish Camp tomorrow before tackling this one.  Our bilge pumps continue to clatter and will occasionally back siphon water but its under control.  Actually it begins it's nocturnal chattering about the same time I get up to pee. At 3:00 am.  Perfect synchronization!

We arrived at the creek and Arin E did a little reconnaissance and found good water so we went in about 100 yards past a boat launch and tried to secure the anchor but it would not hold on the first try.  Tried again and it stuck.  As we waited for a few minutes for the boat to settle we began swinging in a 180 degree arc to the point where I was forced to pivot the boat around on the anchor.  Did I mention this creek is maybe 70 feet wide and we're close to 50?  But thankfully we didn't crush into the banks of the creek and got orientated around so the bow was pointing out the towards the river.

Bow out towards the river

This orientation seemed to work much better although usually the current in creeks has been strong enough to keep the bow point up stream.  We did find ourselves swinging in a small arc but with the tight confines of the creek we elected to toss out a stern anchor.  Jeff from Just Fakin It dinghied across the river and set both our and Arin E's stern anchor for us since we had no easy way of getting a dinghy down.  Good Grief, Fakin It and Field Trip all anchored across the creek in a wide spot in the river since the creek proved a bit too snug for any rafting or additional boats.

Bundled up for alcohol consumption in the waning day light

We settled in for a drink or two out on the bow and then when as it turned dark we headed in for several episodes of West Wing before heading off to sleep in this quiet back water.  We were situated so the creek banks were about 20 feet on either side of us which allowed us to hear lots of rustling in the forested banks.  Gators maybe?  Bears?  Sasquatch? Who knows!

November 7 2013 Demopolis, AL

Late yesterday I went to wash my hands and lo and behold, no water.  It took me a second to register this phenomenon.  There is always water, right?

After poking around for a few minutes my conclusion was the water pump died.  Usually one can hear it cycle on and off when using a faucet.  Not so tonight.  I was already late for a party and the prospect of hanging upside down in a bilge hadn't made my list of things to do on a Wednesday night in Alabama.  But duty called so into the depths of the bilge I plunged.

New pump!

Actually it wasn't all that hard since I had a spare pump.  It only took about thirty minutes to get the old one out and the new one in.  But that would be too easy or so my subconscious seemed to think.    I wired the damn thing backwards.  Not even an inkling or one of those fleeting shadowy thoughts suggesting something wasn't correct.

 So back into the bilge I plunged where, I might add, I kept dropping my two work lights into the  bilge water more often than I'm comfortable admitting.  But I got it all hooked up again and threw the breaker which produced that satisfying pump whirring sound.

 Except the pump whirring went on for an oddly long time before stopping.  In  my mildly odoriferous state I was more focused on a nice hot shower and only heard the whirring when it started.  Luckily I just happen to notice the pump breaker on my way to the shower. Odd.  So  I flipped it on and was immediately rewarded with whirring again.   And then silence.  I suddenly realized the pump was pressurizing the water system but not shutting down because the pressure switch wasn't sensing the pressure in the water lines.  And it was throwing the breaker because of excessive current draw.

Note to self.  New doesn't necessarily mean operational.

We decided to deal with it in Mobile and for now we simply throw the pump breaker when we need water pressure.  My dish washing task is to do just that:  throw the breaker when the dish water starts to trickle instead of stream.  I do my part!

And I cant wait to shower on board when we're anchored out over the next few days... "oh dear, can you give me a little more water please ...".  Yeah ...

One issue would be fine, but why have one when two is so much more satisfying!   Our bilge pumps, when they cycle on, sometimes cause a chattering in the swing check valves.  It's not a bird like chatter either but a loud heavy-metal like sound which can wake a napper at  a hundred paces.  I replaced one assuming the old one was too corroded to seal properly.

Oh were it so easy.

As it turns out the bilge pump hose exit points lay under the water line meaning when they expel bilge water, they pump it out under water.  Best we can deduce is that this is playing havoc with the pressures in the bilge hoses which in turn is causing the chattering but more seriously also allowing a siphon to set up which is sucking sea water back into the bilge.

And so every few hours I check the bilges and then, if the chattering swing valves are chattering I squish myself into a cabinet under the trash bin and crack a bleed cap on the check valve which silences the damn things for another few hours.  And in the morning I utter apologies to anyone tied or anchored near us.

Tell me.  Can life get any more interesting?

Visitors, even those who've left us months ago, have their very own, one of a kind, red plasticized drinking glass embossed with their name.  These fine rum cups are re-usable and disposable.  We do try and save them.  And no its not (entirely) because we have an issue with lack of dish water at the moment.






We are ready for a 6:15 am departure tomorrow and if the lock is free and there is no fog we just might make Bashi Creek before it gets dark.   I think we'll be breezing down the water way at a blistering 9 mph tomorrow!

November 3-6, 2013 Sumpter Area anchorage and Demopolis, Alabama

November 3, 2013 Pirates Cove to Sumpter Anchorage

Looking out of Pirates Cove towards the river

We were up at 8 am but couldn't leave Pirates Cove until around at 9 am after calling the lock to be sure we could enter without a wait.  Waiting for a lock to open around here means circling endlessly and burning fuel while fighting the ceaseless boredom.  So we have learned to be judicious on such occasions by phoning the Lock master to ascertain the potential wait.  In this case we were lucky since he had just locked up a tow and had the lock open waiting for us!

The run out of the basin this morning was much easier since I simply left the depth sounder off and didn't look behind us at the churned up mud.  It may have been 9 am but I'd swear it was sunrise with the light mist hanging over the water.  Maybe I should return to ingesting caffeine in the morning.

We got in the lock and made a unremarkable down lock and proceeded to begin yet another lazy day on the river albeit, a chilly one.  Guess is even winter down here now!

Looking towards the river anchorage.  Note the red and green buoys. 

We reached the Sumpter Recreational area which consists of a small bay right off the river.  There is a boat ramp there as well as small picnic area.  As per our groups usual procedure,  BeachQuest (us) enters first and sets an anchor and then everyone else follows in and ties up to us.

 The entrance into the basin is through a few small buoys which has, of course, a very shallow sand bar running across it.  We made it through with 5 feet and used the forward looking depth sounder to scout out a large enough area  for all of us to raft together.  Once we got the anchor down the other four boats joined us and we had another 5 boat raft-up.  And another party.  Actually a birthday party complete with cakes/pies.

ArinE and FieldTrip rafted to us on our starboard side

We were pretty well secured but over the course of a few hours we swung around 180 degrees and having some experience with this kind of swing on a short scope we put out Bob's stern anchor to limit the arc.  Luckily Jeff's dinghy is easily launched and retrieved.   We also had some company as three other boats anchored near by.

Birthday party wound down around 7:30 and we all retired back to our respective boats, ate and went to bed.  It's all part of the cruising life ... wild parties in the wilds of Alabama.  Early to bed, late to rise, makes a boater awake and  ... well awake.

Faking It (Jeff) and Good Grief (Bob) on our port side

We ended up anchored in a perfect area and before heading off to bed I noted the depths at 9 feet,  a comfortable depth which makes for a good nights sleep.












November 4, 2013 Sumpter Anchorage to Demopolis

It's arduous going through a lock  

Again we were at the mercy of the Locks.  We were all ready to leave the anchorage but noting that two of the three other boats in the anchorage with us up had left a few hours earlier we called the Lock and were told it would be an hour or so before we could lock though.   So we waited a bit and then left for the Lock which was about three miles down river.  We, as usual, were the last to leave since we had to retrieve our anchor.  As we departed I followed the gps track we had when we entered and didn't even leave any churned up mud.

We made it down river to the Lock and were able to drive right in without a wait.  It was another uneventful, almost boring down locking episode.  Then it was out the lock and the start of a long and winding 40 miles to Demopolis.

A small segment of the Epes White cliffs

At least we had the white cliffs at Epes to look forward too.  And further down river we saw a small deer swimming across.  Other than that and a few tows we passed it was a cool and uneventful day.

Behind the yellow pillars is the fuel dock

We pulled into the Demopolis Yacht Basin and the Dock Master had us fuel up in a certain order which made little sense to me, but obviously it did to them.  We were the third boat to fuel up while Field Trip had to wait out in the river because there was no room at the fuel dock.

  It was a self serve fuel pump.  Mindful of our over filling at Green Turtle Bay we left an inch from the top of  both tanks instead of filling to them to the brim.  Mary monitored the tank levels  by sticking her head in the engine room and checking the yardstick on the sight tubes while I pumped the fuel.

The tanks hold 25 inches of fuel which works out to about 13.5 gallons of fuel per inch.  We put in 161 gallons at less than $4 / gallon.  We'll have enough fuel to get to Key West if we don't go galloping down the river at 10 mph.

We're all pretty much together

After filling up the we received a slip assignment which put us in the Kingfisher marina which is adjacent to the original (and still operating) Demopolis marina.  Kingfisher is much newer than the original, and very nice with covered slips if one so chooses.

Our little group are in adjacent slips so it will make for easy planning and forays into town.  And we have been joined by a few others boats we've met along the way too.  Guess we're just one big group of boaters all anxious to enter the tropical zone and warm up.

Tomorrow there is the standard Walmart run and Bob is going to see someone about his alternator which has reached the point where it needs to be repaired.  We were planning on leaving Wednesday but we'll see how it goes.  We really dont have any schedule to meet, at least I dont think we do?


November 5, 2013 Kingfisher Marina in Demopolis, AL
The hot topic this morning was gaining access to one of the courtesy cars to make a run to various stores and a CVS for Mary to get a flu shot.  There was also the next birthday party arrangements to consider.  

Looking down our dock 

The marina came to assess Field Trips alternator problem and it appears they can have it replaced by Thursday so we'll all be leaving Friday morning now instead of Wednesday.  I dis-assembled one of our VHF radio antennas with its frayed cable.  The radio wasn't receiving or transmitting well at all so I'm just going to replace the whole cable and upper antenna section.

Next,  Bob and I replaced one of our bilge pump check valves with the idea that it would stem the constant clacking after it ran. It required a 3 foot wrench to gain enough leverage to loosen the valve.  We had it off and replaced in 15 minutes.  Still clacks.  And now I've discovered some back flow into the bilge so I'm talking to the experts tomorrow since we cant quite figure out why this is happening.  The simplest things  ... sheez

Birthday Bob and Martha

We eventually worked out a car schedule so most people went off to shop and do errands in shifts during the afternoon.  Later we all finally got together on the dock and decided to make for the local Mexican restaurant for dinner.  All 16 of us.  We decide to return the car though and enlist the local cab/shuttle guy to ferry us back and forth. Took three trips.  Each way.  But it was much easier for everyone.

Captain Pat and the large Margarita

Great time but we stayed way too late.  16 people can sure push the boundaries of lengthy conversation to new and un-imagined heights.  I suspect he waiters were somewhat relieved when we finally did start departing.  We elected to postpone the post dinner cake/pie birthday party until tomorrow evening.  And hearty souls that we are, most of us simply went off to bed.  Daylight savings time has us all befuddled I think.