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!