Halloween at Turner Marine

Well we went to the Halloween party last night. A cold front had moved in at around 4 in the afternoon and we had some light rain with moderate winds.  This must be what put a damper on the Holloween party because very few attended.  It was mostly the transients, the owners and a small number of local residents.  There were some decorations up and too much food but very few people dressed for the occasion. Any time there are more than four boaters present it is still a party.  Lots of intersting folks from Norway and Findland were in attendance as well as our two Canadian boats and some Americans. it is great to exchange sailing stories and cheap marinas and restaurants.

Our hosts

Randy does not ususally have so much hair

Yes that is a W not a B on my shirt

We are now in Palm tree country

Turner Marine

We are staying a week at Turner Marine. 
We went out for dinner with our Canadian friend Randy at a restaurant across Dog River which is off Mobile Bay. We had to get there by dinghy so we piled into Randy's. It was a beautiful meal with crab claws being the specialty.
Today we went to get groceries and other essentials with the worst courtesy car we have borrowed to date. We managed to get back without breaking down.
We have been invited to a pot luck Halloween party Friday evening on the dock. It should be fun! It is quite hot during the day but it cools down quickly in the evening. We have had as low as 3 degrees Celsius in the morning when we were coming down the river.  It should get hotter as we make our way across the panhandle.

We will try to buy fish when he comes back in tonight



Sun set at Turner Marine



We dinghied to this restaurant across the water

Mobile Alabama

I am not hearing banjo music and I am not afraid.
We have completed the river section of the trip and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The Illinois was commercial but it was a relief after the winds and waves of  Lake Michigan.  The Mississippi had quite a current and turbulent waters along with wide tows but it was enjoyable. we fought a two knot current on the Ohio and the Cumberland but the scenery became more pastoral.  The very best was the Tenessee and the Ten-Tom waterway even if there were 13 locks. We found the Recreation Area anchorages just super. The people are extremely friendly and polite.
We anchored with our friends who are travelling on D.E.Schwein and our Canadian buddy on Black Tickle. We all left Demopolis Marina together and anchored at Bashi Creek (N31 57.3905' and W88 04.2869') on Saturday,  at old Lock #1 (N31 34.5368' and W88 02.1573') on Sunday and the Alabama River Cut off (N31 11.331' and W87 55.845') on Monday.  We arrived at Dog River Marina on Mobile Bay at 4:30 last night and we are all three of us moving to Turner marina next door.  Dog River marina is offering a free night with a fill up so we all took advantage of this. There is a West Marine store on the premises so everyone is happy.
Turner marine is offering weekly dockage for 41 cents a foot so we are all moving there for a week before we tackle Mobile Bay and enter the Intracoastal waterway.  There is a hurricane Rina brewing on the Yucatan peninsula so we will let her have her way before we set out. The weather is fabulous so far but it is expected to deteriorate by he week end.

Old Lock #1 closed since 1960

The Alabama Cut off anchorage it is 7 miles long

Murray, Leigh, Randy and Nanuck relaxing at the Alabama River cut off

Entering Mobile Harbour

Fishing boat ob Mobile Bay

Leaving Demopolis Yacht Basin

We had a very enjoyable evening with the Loopers and the locals last night.  There is a deck over looking the marina where everyone gathers for happy hour. Lots of boating stories were exchanged. We had dinner at the on site restaurant with our American friends on D.E Schwein and our Canadian friend on Black Tickle.  I am enjoying the southern food and have even got the Captain trying some new things.  You can teach an old dog new tricks!
We are waiting out the fog this morning before we call the lock to request a Lock through and then we are southbound on the Black Warrior River.  The anchorages are not as plentiful on this river but still we have found three possibilities. We are trying to get past mile 13 before they shut the river down on the 29th of October.  They will be replacing a railroad bridge which will take 4 days.
I hope to have Internet access in this section but one never knows.

Large jack pines and Cypres line the shores and Recreation areas

We will miss the peaceful Ten-Tom Waterway

Waiting fror the sun to burn off the fog

Happy hour deck at Demopolis Yacht Basin

Demopolis Alabama

Enjoying a campfire at Sumter

Cooking dinner while our boat is dragging anchor

Wild pig

White Cliffs on the way to Demopolis

Pickensville Recreation Area

Deer at Pickensville Rec Area

Sunset at Rattlesnake Bend anchorage

We left Columbus Marina without first calling the lock. When we did call, we were told there would be an hour and a half delay while a northbound tow locked through. We turned around and went back to the fuel dock to wait. We chatted with fellow boaters and were soon on our way again. We anchored with 2 other boats at Pickensville Recreation area (N33 7891 and W88 17.1502) and took the dinghy ashore to explore the park. There is a small beach, a boat launch and restrooms as well as a fish cleaning station. We quite like these as they are usually in a scenic location and quiet at night when the fishermen are gone.  The weather was really nice so we decided to stay an extra day and take our bikes ashore for a ride. We saw 3 deer come out of the woods for a drink in the river. We spent most of the day trying to get out of the sun since it was exceptionally hot at 98 degrees. It does cool down quickly when the sun goes down.

We set off on Monday for another Recreation area 60 miles downriver. It was already over 80 degrees at 7:30 in the morning. The same two boats from the Pickensville anchorage were also anchored at Sumter Recreation Area but there was lots of room (N32 52.429’ and W88 11.060’). Three more boats arrived later. The scenery along this stretch of the Ten-Tom Waterway is mostly pines and cypress with some deciduous trees. The shore looks like gray rock but it is clay. There are not the brilliant fall colours we are used to as the leaves seem to be too dry. There are very few homes and cottages.  The traffic is quite light mostly Loopers, small fishing boats and very few tows.  We saw a flock of Wood Storks along the way today. We went ashore to explore the Recreation Area and chatted with hunters at a campsite. They are bow hunting deer but had only succeeded in killing a wild boar. It turns out they are feral pigs but there are wild boars around.  The deer are small and plentiful so hunters are allowed 2 a day for 150 days.

Tuesday the wind came up in the afternoon while we were preparing dinner on an open fire. This is the campsite that the hunters had vacated without fully dousing the embers. As we were cooking dinner, I pointed out to the captain that our boat had just gone by while we were ashore. We finished our meal and put out the fire as it was now dark and the wind was building. We gathered all our things and went back to the boat that was now really close to the shoreline.  Our anchor was dragging in this heavy wind. There were 5 of us anchored and only one boat was secure everyone else was frantically trying to move and reset anchors. We picked up the anchor and went to tie up to the small boat dock near the boat launch.  Luckily we had already sounded the water there and we knew there was enough depth.  We then went back out in the dinghy to help two other boats that were rafted together and having difficulty.  By 8:30 everyone was secure and holding in this protected anchorage.

The winds brought in a cold front and the temperature only managed to climb to 60 degrees on Wednesday.  We decided to stay an extra day. At 3:00 our friends arrived and rafted up to us for the evening.  We had not travelled together since Green Turtle Bay  so we had lots of catching up to do. We had a very pleasant evening. We called the Lock on Thursday before leaving Sumter and were told that we could lock through at 10:00.  We waited at the anchorage and saw another tow go by so we were delayed another hour. We finally locked through at 11:30.  This was the first time we have had to wait for locks on the Ten-Tom Waterway so we can’t complain. Our friends went on to Demopolis and we anchored at Rattlesnake Bend which is 5 miles from Demopolis (N32 36.947’ and W87 53.943’).  It is not a recreation area but very quiet and picturesque. We saw a feral pig and a small deer on our way here today.  There are white cliffs in many places that appear to be rock but they are clay.

We woke up to heavy fog this morning so we delayed our departure until it cleared. We took pictures and by 8:30 it was clear enough to set out for Demopolis Yacht Basin. When the fog lifted, we spotted several wild turkeys on the shoreline.

We are now at Demopolis Yacht Basin for the night.  We will set off tomorrow for more anchorages.  Hopefully we will have internet access from here on.

Leaving Columbus Marina

We managed to get everything done in one day. Our new strategy is to anchor out near the Marina where we plan to stop to arrive at the marina early in the morning.  We can then use the entire day to do shopping, laundry and top up our water tanks. We were able to catch up on emails and phone calls and still visit with our fellow boaters.
There is a crowd at the lock so we will wait for them to clear before we call for a lock through.  It is nice to be able to see the traffic from the marina. This place has all the amenities but the facilities are not as nice.  The docks are great and the courtesy car was the best we have had so far. The washing machines and dryers were excellent.
We are not going far today, just one lock and to anchorage. I will not have Internet until I get to Demopolis so I will update the blog then.

Columbus Mississippi

Relaxing at Indian Creek

The Divide Cut portion of the Tenn-Tom Waterway

Fellow Canadian at anchor in Bay Springs Lake

85 foot drop at Witten Lock

We are back on line at Columbus Mississippi Marina.
After leaving Aqua Yacht Harbor last Saturday we went back to explore Pickwick Lake. We were told about a picturesque anchorage near a waterfall on the south bank of the lake.  The waterfall was down to a trickle since they have had a dry summer and the anchorage was crowded so we opted for Indian Creek a few miles west. (N34 54.113' and W088 10.314') It was a beautiful night and a good anchorage just off a National Park.
The next day we cruised down the first section of the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway which is the Divide Cut section.  It is a man made 28 mile ditch with very little to offer in terms of scenery.  In the fall it simply meanders peacefully between two berms but in the spring it can get rather nasty because of the run off. I was glad to be going through in the fall. The Divide Cut ends at Bay Spring Lake which again is a great place to anchor.  We anchored at the five fingers (N34 32.998' and W088 18.216") as the locals at Aqua had told us. It was everything they promised .  There were a few boats there but there are enough fingers for everyone to have a private spot. In Newfoundland this would be called a tickle. We took the dinghy out to explore and to visit with the folks who were anchored. We met a Canadian who is single handing an Endeavor catamaran called the Black Tickle. He invited us for dinner so we joined him and had a fine evening. The next day he came over for coffee and since it was Thanksgiving, we invited us for dinner at our boat.  Lots of fun was had by all. We stayed an extra day but our Canadian friend carried on, we will probably meet in Demopolis.
Wednesday was a travel day down the Canal section of the waterway.  Rather than follow the Tombigbee river, the Corp of Engineers dug a canal because the river was too windy and curvy.  There are 6 locks in this section and we have transited them all.  There were no delays but we were with a pack of 6 boats so it took a while for all to secured. It was getting late so we anchored just outside the Amory lock for the night (N34 00.869 and W088 29.033).
We left early the next day in the rain and entered the River section of the waterway.  There are 4 locks in this section and we have transited one of them.  So far there is very little traffic and only the odd tow.  This section is very picturesque and there are numerous places to pull off and anchor.  The water is very shallow outside the markers and there are lots of deadheads but there are cut offs into the original Tombigbee river and as long as you take your time and watch your depths. it is really good holding in mud.  Last night we anchored at Waverley Recreation Area and took the dinghy ashore to walk around in the park. (N33 33.937' and W088 29.654')
Today we are provisioning and doing laundry at Columbus Marina.  We will borrow the courtesy car later today and then off tomorrow to find more beautiful anchorages.  We may not have Internet access until we reach Demopolis some time next week.

Walking around the Waverly Recreation area

Waverley Recreation Area

Bay Springs Lake Fingers

Leaving Aqua Yacht Harbor

They certainly have large house boats

The pool is closed

We certainly had a wonderful time at Aqua Yacht Harbor.  We met new friends had some nice dinners and enjoyed perfect weather.  It is time to move on. There are some nice anchorages to explore further along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway so we will spend this next week anchoring and exploring.  Once we get past the first of  10 locks, the anchorages are few and far between.  We will be back at a Marina. 
We plan to stop at Aberdeen since they have cheap fuel.  We are most likely not going to have Internet access for the next week so I will blog when we get to the next marina.

Aqua Yacht Harbor still

We are enjoying the weather, the camaraderie and the scenery at this great marina.  They have a good ship's store where Jerry found the right attachment for his deck brush.  He is cleaning the decks while I sit and supervise. There is a small exercise room with a nice view.  I peaked in the door yesterday and broke into a sweat so I left.  I will go there to read on a bicycle today.
We will borrow the courtesy car to go into town again today because Jerry broke his fishing pole while catching copious amounts of fish.  Our friends in Irony caught two fair size bass and gave them to us. We are having fish for lunch today.
We may go out on Irony to see the falls on Pickwick lake, apparently it is a nice anchorage so we may go anchor there when we leave on Saturday.

Beautiful home on Lake Pickwick

View from the exercise room and pool

Irony

Iuka Mississippi

We are enjoying some fine weather at Aqua Yacht Harbor.  It is very quiet since there are only 3 transient boats here.
We went for a bike ride up to the supermarket but it turns out that there are just too many hills and too much traffic to make bike riding pleasant.  We have parked the bikes in favour of the courtesy van.
We had a nice meal at the onsite restaurant and we will try the Ribside restaurant that is very near the marina next.
We visited some boats on Saturday as the marina was having an open house on boats for sale.  Oddly enough we didn't buy any.
Our fellow boaters invited us for cocktails on their 60 foot Florida Bay Yacht. It was a very pleasant evening. North Star felt a little cramped when we returned.
We went shopping in Savannah Tennesse today.  Since we are only two boaters borrowing the 2 vans, they are quite flexible with the length of time that we take the vehicles out. We will use it to go out to dinner tomorrow.

Mist on the bay in the cool morning

North Star is the little one

Aqua Yacht Harbor

Aqua Yacht Harbour Yellow Creek Mississippi

We left Green Turtle Cove on Tuesday morning and have been anchoring out on Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee river ever since.  As I suspected, we did not have Internet access.  It was nice to be back on the hook as marinas can be crowded.  We like the quiet and privacy we can find on the hook.
Tuesday night we anchored in Fort Heiman Cove (N36 30.041' and W088 03.538').  We had a visit from a local pontoon boater who told us a little of the history of Fort Heiman and neighbouring Fort Henry. We were actually in Kentucky here.  They have made a prairie and imported Buffalo and Elk to try and re introduce them to the area.  We did not see any since the shoreline was thick with trees.
Wednesday we anchored in Birdsong Creek (N35 50.112' and W088 01.731') after being warned that the channel was too tricky.  Nothing is too tricky if you pay attention to your charts and your depth sounder. This anchorage is on the Tennessee ee river. We had a visit from an other pontoon boater who shared some local knowledge of the river. A deer ran across the anchorage.
Thursday we anchored at Jeter Towhead (N35 25.571' and W088 00.619'). We did nudge the muddy bottom on our way in but found good holding and a pleasant anchorage.  The water is clean and 77 degrees so we had a quick dip.
The Tennessee river is the nicest of the rivers as far as scenery goes.  There are white cliffs and dense forests with rolling hills.  The water is fairly clean and there are very few tows and no debris. There are beautiful houses and hardly any industrial installations. The fall colours are starting to come out.
Last night we anchored in one of the beautiful coves on Pickwick Lake in Tennessee at a place called Dry Creek (N35 02.073' and W088 10.154'). It was a little choppy and the weather has turned cool but we managed to spend a beautiful night and got some boat chores done. We are now at Aqua Yacht Harbor on Yellow Creek which is the beginning of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. We will stay here a week at $120 for the week.  They have cable TV, Internet and all the usual amenities including a courtesy van.

Nice rocky shoreline with dense forest

River travel is so peaceful

Birdsong Creek

A serene steam down the Tennessee River

Sunset at Jeter Towhead