1450 miles, 29 locks and 8 rivers….We made it!

Yes indeed, we made it to Mobile, AL and we are all alive and well!  As the heading indicates, it was quite a fete, but memorable!  Let me start with a quick backtrack to the final three days.

 

 

 

Anchorages on the river past Demopolis:

Yes, STEVE spotted the first alligator, in fact, the only two we saw he was the “spotter”.  They were sitting on logs along the bank sunning themselves, and they quickly slid into the water once they heard the boat.  The only picture I got was of its tail (:  At another anchorage, Bill was watching the shore with the binoculars and spotted a young bobcat.  They, too, blend into their environment so well, they are hard to see.  This was it for wildlife!

Anchoring can be a bit unnerving due to the barge traffic.  Steve became a bit creative with the camera and captured the lights of the barge coming around the curve where we were for the night.  Imagine how dark it is on the river and then to see these sweeping bright lights….rather eerie! 

Sunset at anchor

 

Barge passing in the night

October 18, 2012

With much anticipation, we started to see the skyline of Mobile.  This is the day we had been waiting for.  Mobile is a large port and quite industrial along the river.  We sailed through and into Mobile Bay.  It, of course, is a big body of water, but it quite shallow.  You must stay in the channel and watch your depths.  We followed our maps/GPS and “turned right” and headed for Turner Boatyard and Marina.  These are the folks who will be servicing our boat to make it ready for the Gulf crossing to Corpus.  As we tied up Kathryn, it was fun to have our feet on the ground and at the final destination of the river trip.  (No, I did not kiss the dock!!!)  We celebrated with dinner at the nearby Mobile Yacht Club!  Job well done, Steve and Bill!

 

 

Ship docked in Mobile

 

Celebrating our arrival to Mobile Bay at Mobile Yacht Club

Downtown Mobile

Friday morning at 8 o’clock, Steve drove the boat to the marina’s power lift to get Kathryn on to dry dock.  This went without a “hitch” and she is now ready for a “bottom” job and to have the mast put back up!  After cleaning out the fridge, packing our bags and a bit of cleaning, we were out of there!  Bill left for Illinois and our destination was Corpus Christi via New Orleans.

Kathryn being hauled at Turner Mainre in Mobile

 

New Orleans:



Our Hotel

Another bucket list item for me was to visit New Orleans!  I had written a report in sixth grade about the city and it had fascinated me ever since.  It lived up to the pictures in my mind.  We got a hotel in the French Quarter in a beautifully renovated building.  (I won’t go into how LONG you had to wait for the hot water to get to our room for a shower!  There are some good things to say about modern plumbing!)  Then we took a long walking tour from one end of Bourbon Street to the other and various other locations.  We had dinner overlooking Jackson Square in a lovely old home with a 140 ft. balcony.  Once again, if you love to people watch, this is the place to be!  What you don’t see….yikers! You could party all night, but the Janetts weren’t that wild and crazy.  After breakfast the next morning, we were on the road to Corpus Christi, TX.  (Took one stop over at the Costco in Houston…we are having withdrawal symptoms after not making our weekly trips to Costco.)  We arrived on North Padre Island around six o’clock!  Home at last!  We plan to be here until the second week in November and then back to Mobile to sail Kathryn home.  I will pick up our blog journey at that time.  Once again, dear readers, thanks for sharing this adventure with us.  Fondly, Nancy, Steve and Bill

 

Having drinks at Funky Pirate Bar




Dinnter at Muriel's



Demopolis and Beyond…

We arrived in Demopolis, AL on Saturday afternoon at the Kingfisher Marina.  This is a two-part marina and we were on the beautiful new section.  We have seen ALL SORTS of facilities along the way, and this one probably got our #1 rating.  One example was the laundry/showers and bath area.  All done in granite countertops, lots of washers and dryers, white shag bath mats and lovely white rocking chairs to sit in while you waited for your dryer to finish drying.  I can do this!!!  Of course, this is the last marina until you reach Mobile and there is only one fuel stop after this for the next 215 miles.  So it is a “destination” marina.

Where to eat in Demopolis?

When we arrive at a marina, one of our first questions is, “If you are going out for dinner, where do you eat?”  This has always given us good tips and fine food.  Our first stop in town was The Red Barn.  I just had to take a picture of the OLD tractor out in front.  The inside was all done in wood (obviously, like a barn!) and decorated with antique farm equipment and tools. (This is good for an Iowa farm girl!)  The food was delicious, but the warm blackberry cobbler with ice cream was to die for!!!!  On Sunday, we had the loaner pick up truck from one o’clock until three, so we decided to do Sunday dinner at the Foscue House.  This is an 1840’s farmhouse and out buildings turned into a restaurant.  Once again, there were lots of antiques and lots of Southern charm from the wait staff.  The dinner menu gave you choices, including fried chicken or jumbalia, rice and gravy, collard greens, corn muffins, salads, etc….you get the picture…good ‘ole Southern food! 

The Red Barn -  The sign reads, "1939 John Deere Tractor No Seat No Steering Wheel Just right for Farmer Who Lost his Tail and has nowhere to Turn"

Foscue House Restaurant

Dinner at Foscue House



Outside Dining and Barn

 Before returning to the boat, we made one last grocery stop, since there will be NO MORE until we reach Mobile.  Trust me, none of the three of us are suffering from lack of food.

Friends, again!

Upon returning to the marina, we happened to notice our traveling friends on Tide and Time and Flying Free coming into the marina!  What luck!  It is always fun to converse and see where they have been and vice versa.  Also, Christelle from Tide and Time loves Steve’s margaritas, so it was a good excuse for a happy hour get together.  More food, once again, because everyone brought a delicious treat to share.

Off to Mobile



Scenes from the river south of Demopolis

Yesterday morning, we were up early to start our final journey to Mobile.  After the Demopolis Lock and Dam, we were then in the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway.  We have been in fresh water without tides for over a thousand miles.  Our LAST lock on this waterway is the Coffeeville Lock, after which we will encounter salt water and tides.  Also, this portion of the river is suppose to resemble the Georgia swamps instead of a river.  Like I said before, we are on the lookout for alligators.  The river is VERY curvy and winds around and around.  If they made one straight channel, we’d be to Mobile in no time!



Last night we anchored on the side of the river.  We have an AIS system that alerts barges where we are located, so that gives us some peace of mind.  You are always mindful of the barges on the river…I believe that is the first rule of the river!  This morning we awoke to fog, so we sat and waited until we could see and off we went!  So, as I leave you today, we are curving down the river! 

 

First Night's Anchorage

 

Next Morning's Fog Caused a Late Start

 

Coffeeville Lock - Our Last Lock

Doors opening on last lock

Sweet Home Alabama

When I last left the blog, we were in Columbus, MS getting ready for dinner.  As always seems to happen, you meet the nicest people in the marinas and this was no exception.  We had dinner with David and Terri from T D Dream and their friend Frank from Daphne.  They suggested a Columbus restaurant name Harveys and it lived up to their recommendation!!!  I am beginning to wish we had packed a scale…then again it may make me too depressed.  We have not lacked for good food on this trip!

Dinner with new friends at Harveys at Columbus

 

Columbus, MS to Pickensville, AL

We left Columbus Marina after a two hour wait for the lock to “put through” two barges/tugs.  Then it was our turn and away we went down the river.  The scenery along this stretch of the river started to look a bit more “southern” with pines and vines.  Our next stop and only marina on this stretch of the river was Pirate’s Cove Marina at
Pickensville, AL.  Steve subscribes to an online service called Active Captain.  Here people can write ideas, suggestions and comments on anchorages and marinas for Loopers.  Well, we knew going in that the comments went from very “rustic” to “rundown”!  MMMM!  Let me just give you a description, so that you can paint a mental picture of Pirate’s Cove.  As we pulled into the docks, the manager/owner came down to help us tie up.  He was a very friendly gentleman and quite helpful.  Steve, Bill and I jumped off the boat to make our way up the hill to the office.  One had to walk very gingerly so as not to rock the docks too much…not what you would call stable!  The boats that were in the marina were locals, and they did not spend every minute or every weekend polishing and cleaning their vessels J.  Upon entering the office, we were greeted by the manager, two women who took care of the office and three dogs.  (one was Pirate, after which the marina is named)  In the course of five minutes or less, the manager managed to tell us that he “carries” (a gun, that is) and one was also propped in the corner.  The lady at the desk was so kind and sweet and gave us directions to the nearest grocery store that was ten miles away in Aliceville.  I won’t even go into to the condition of the teeth of our hosts…once again, summer teeth (some are there and some are not!)  We got our directions and the loaner van and we were ready to go.  The manager reminded Steve that the “struts” were a bit bad, but just be careful!  (We could tell when we went over a bump!)
 

Rustic docks at Pirate's Cove Marina

 

 

Office at Pirate's Cove

Steve really enjoyed watching the egret catch its dinner at the next dock

Tom Bevill Visitor Center/U.S. Snagboat Montgomery

On our way to our shopping adventure, we happened upon the Tom Bevill Visitor Center right next to the Tom Bevill Lock and Dam.  This visitor center was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was a WONDERFUL and educational find!  Life in the Tombigbee River Valley reached its heyday in the mid-19th century, prior to the Civil War.  During this period, there was a great interest in the culture of Ancient Greece which swept through the U.S. and especially in the South.  In this area, Greek revival architecture was expressed in their antebellum homes.  On the top of many of these homes was the cupola or “Temple” which was beautiful to look at, as well as to ventilate the home.  As you can see from the photos, this visitor center was a replica of three nearby homes (one of which was Waverly Mansion that we had visited).  Not only was the home beautifully furnished with period furniture, draperies, and lights, but it was an interactive museum.  Included here, were the native animals of the area as well as a historic steamship on the river outside.  The U.S. Snagboat Montgom ery (1926-1982) was the last steamboat powered snagboat to work the Tombigbee River.  A snagboat would go up and down the river and “snag” large tree stumps to clear the river for boats and barges.  Needless, to say, we had an enjoyable and educational afternoon. 

Note the cupola or temple at the top

 

The floor is Italian marble and black Alabama marble

 

U.S. Montgomery Snag Boat

 

 

Aliceville and Pickensville

Both towns we visited, were very rural and seemed as if time had passed them by.  We ended up with Subway sandwiches for dinner, because all of the restaurants closed after two o’clock in the afternoon.  The  good news was, they did have a grocery store, and that was exactly what we needed!

Anchoring At the Heflin Lock and Dam

Kathryn at anchor in the oxbow just past Hefil Dam

As I mentioned, this area is rather remote, so there are NOT many marinas.  Last night, we anchored in a small pool on the downside of the Heflin Dam.  We were the only boat here and we only saw one small fishing boat all night.  From here to Mobile, Steve, Bill and I have a bet going to see who sees the first “gator”.  Yep, folks, we are getting into that kind of territory!  So, we will keep you posted as to who wins.  Tonight we will be in Demopolis, AL. and then it will be 200 miles to Mobile, AL.  Can you believe it, we are almost there!!!

White Cliffs at Epes

 

Well friends, the weather is beautiful here today (yes, it has warmed up…87 degrees yesterday), so I am going up top to be with the crew!  Until next time, so long! J

 

Welcome to Columbus, Mississippi

We have received some wonderful feedback regarding our blog. THANKS!  One suggestion was that I name the town we are in or close to, if someone wanted to check it out online.  Good point, since I often had just named the marina or river area we were close to each day.  We arrived in Columbus last evening about five o’clock.  It had been a LONG day, but successful day on the river, since we started at 7:30 A.M.  When I last left the blog, we were at Midway Marina with Billy Bob Thorton (aka Pat)!!!  There we met two other boats going in the same direction, so the three of us made it through FOUR locks and here to the marina. 

Nancy and Billy Bob Thorton (aka Pat)

Mississippi in October... Not the way I thought it was going to be.  Locals said it should be 20 degrees warmer.

Columbus, MS

Before it was named Columbus, the area was referred to as Possum’s Town, a name given by the Native Americans. The nickname is still used by some locals.  It became a “hospital town” during the Civil War, since they had opened their churches and stores to the wounded.  Because of that status, many of its antebellum homes were spared.  Second only to Natchez, MS, it has a large collection of homes to tour.

Memorial Day originated here, when women of the town decorated the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers.  A poem titled, The Blue and the Gray by Francis Miles Finch mentions this act in The New York Tribune.

Tennessee Williams (Cat On a Hot Tin Roof and Streetcar Named Desire) was born in Columbus.  His home, which has been restored, is now the visitor’s bureau.  That’s where we started our morning tour of Columbus.  Once again, the Southern hospitality is so sweet and welcoming!  No, we have not picked up an accent yet!

 

A little known secret about me is that Gone With the Wind, both the novel and the movie, is my all time favorite!  I LOVE the antebellum era and visiting a mansion or plantation has been on my bucket list for a very long time.  Well folks, check that one off because today was the day!  We toured Waverley Plantation Mansion (c. 1852) just outside of Columbus and very close to the river.  As we pulled up, I could see the house in the distance from an iron gate and long walkway.  I just turned into Scarlett O’Hara! and Steve said, "Frankly Nancy, I don't give a damn."  Waverly Mansion is one of the most photographed houses in the South.  The current owners purchased the home in 1962 and took 25 years to lovingly restore it to its former grandeur.  The antiques inside were outstanding and quite a collection.  I just had to try both curved stairways…all I needed was my long flowing skirt with a hoop…heaven!!!  By the way, Steve and Bill really enjoyed the tour, also.

Our first look at Waverley Mansion

Rear of mansion

250 year old magnolia tree in front of the mansion

View from second floor balcony

Front entrance.... Nancy is ready to go back to Civil War times

Out building behind the mansion

Another photo of the outisde as photos were not allowed inside.

This evening we are taking the loaner van, plus another couple, out to dinner in Columbus.  It has quite a collection of great restaurants according to the locals.  Tomorrow we are back on the river going South once again.  Y’all have a nice evening, ya hear!