Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Kingfisher Marina in Demopolis, Alabama to Bashi Creek Anchorage, Putman, Alabama

Day #126: Up at 4:15 A.M. rain overnight but no storms or tornados. At 4:45 A.M. boats already calling the Demopolis Lock but we decided to not go with these boats as moderate rain had started and it is still dark. Mike attempting to call the lockmaster via the telephone but the line is busy. At 5:25 A.M. there is an upbound commercial vessel. We are hoping to lock down once the commercial vessel locks up. Mike continues to call the lockmaster but the line is busy. At 5:30 A.M. Mike called the lockmaster at VHF 16 he was told that as soon as the tow "City of Pittsburg" came up that it would be our turn to lock down. Engines on at 6:00 A.M. We were away from the dock at 6:10 A.M. with a total of ten boats ("Twin", "Tomboy", "Bay Tripper", "Myra-Myra", "Cici, Kay", "Optimystique", "Lark", "Sea Trolley", "Parrot Bay", "Blue Gill" and "Carolina Dream") At 6:40 A.M. we were holding station at the lock waiting for "City of Pittsburg" to exit the lock. At 7:00 A.M. we were secure in the lock. At 7:20 A.M. we were clear of the lock (we were dropped 40 feet) (Lock #24). At 10:00 A.M. we crossed towboat "Three Rivers". At 10:50 A.M. we speed passed coal barge/towboat "Bobby Joe James". At 1:05 P.M. we crossed with towboat "Vincent W. Sapp." At 2:15 P.M. we crossed with the towboat "Baffin Bay". We were secure in Bashi Creek in Putnam, AL after traveling 70.7 miles today (1778 miles so far for the trip). "Optimystique" and "Sea Trolley" rafted closer to the boat ramp. "Lark", "Parrot Bay" and "Bay Tripper" rafted together.  We were across the creek but there would have been enough room for small fishing boats to get through but there was a large log. "Bay Tripper" put lines out to the trees and "Lark" added another anchor as the only anchor holding all three boats was "Parrot Bay's" anchor. "Blue Gill" is a catamaran that draws only a few feet so Ted took his boat up the river farther. We had chili cheese dogs, Caesar salad (thanks Bev), and cheese-its for dinner with Bruce and Bev on "Parrot Bay". By 8:30 P.M. Mike and I were in bed reading with our portable reading lamps.

Secure in the Demopolis Lock looking out over the lock gate.

White cliffs from the Demopolis Lock.

There were 5 of these sitting on the lock gate waiting for breakfast. 

Looking back at the Demopolis dam just beautiful.

Spanish moss hanging from the trees.

Beautiful rock formation.

Beautiful rock formations.

"Parrot Bay" and "Optimystique" behind the "Bobby Joe James" passing the "Three Rivers" who pulled up onto the bank to let the coal barge pass.  We just tagged along behind the coal barge.

Passing the "Bobby Joe James" on two whistles very close to his bow.

Looking back at the "Bobby Joe James" as we passed.

Meridian and Bigbee Bridges.

Demopolis Yacht Basin, Demopolis, AL to Bashi Creek

On our way into Bashi Creek.