Thursday, November 05, 2009
Demopolis to Waaaaay Down the Tenn-Tom.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009.
First let me say that we did a record run today of 150 miles! The day began with another 6 a.m. start. We were through the Demopolis Lock by 7 a.m., with one eye-opening occurrence. While we were waiting for all the other boats to tie up, I saw the lockmaster peering intently down the bollard chamber right across from us. A bollard is essentially an empty metal cylinder, 3 feet in diameter, which floats up and down a chamber within the lock wall as the water is filled or released. At the top of a bollard is a metal stob that boaters use to tie their lines to. This way they can be lifted or dropped securely along the lock wall. Well, I heard the lockmaster mutter “We have a critter here,” and he proceeded to bang on the bollard chamber. I yelled across the lock, “What kind of critter?” His answer: “A water moccasin. Guess he wanted to stay out of the cold water.” He continued, “I’ve told people that it’s not a good idea to tie off too cozy against the bollards.” About that time another boat, God Speed, pulled up and tied off. They never even knew about the “companion” they missed. Now I’m paranoid, of course.
This morning we started down the lower end of the Waterway, which is where the Black Warrior River joins the Tombigbee. The water is still at least 10-15 feet higher than normal, and the current is giving us a three to four mph boost. This stretch is full of hairpins curves, which is why we still have so many miles to go before we reach Mobile. We encountered a number of tows, so the Waterway is clearly being used commercially. The weather today has been excellent, and we made such good time that we bypassed a good anchorage and the infamous Bobby’s Fish Camp, passed through Coffeeville Lock (our last lock until spring), and anchored 64 miles north of Mobile in an area called Three Rivers, which was recommended by another Looper on the boat Royale. In addition to Sandpiper, Second Wind, and Royale, three other Loopers and three Canadian sailboats are all anchored here. We’ll have to remember this location. It is a great anchorage. Grilled chicken, potato salad, stewed apples, a bottle of wine, and some freshly cooked chocolate chip cookies on Sandpiper was an excellent way to end this long day!
First let me say that we did a record run today of 150 miles! The day began with another 6 a.m. start. We were through the Demopolis Lock by 7 a.m., with one eye-opening occurrence. While we were waiting for all the other boats to tie up, I saw the lockmaster peering intently down the bollard chamber right across from us. A bollard is essentially an empty metal cylinder, 3 feet in diameter, which floats up and down a chamber within the lock wall as the water is filled or released. At the top of a bollard is a metal stob that boaters use to tie their lines to. This way they can be lifted or dropped securely along the lock wall. Well, I heard the lockmaster mutter “We have a critter here,” and he proceeded to bang on the bollard chamber. I yelled across the lock, “What kind of critter?” His answer: “A water moccasin. Guess he wanted to stay out of the cold water.” He continued, “I’ve told people that it’s not a good idea to tie off too cozy against the bollards.” About that time another boat, God Speed, pulled up and tied off. They never even knew about the “companion” they missed. Now I’m paranoid, of course.
This morning we started down the lower end of the Waterway, which is where the Black Warrior River joins the Tombigbee. The water is still at least 10-15 feet higher than normal, and the current is giving us a three to four mph boost. This stretch is full of hairpins curves, which is why we still have so many miles to go before we reach Mobile. We encountered a number of tows, so the Waterway is clearly being used commercially. The weather today has been excellent, and we made such good time that we bypassed a good anchorage and the infamous Bobby’s Fish Camp, passed through Coffeeville Lock (our last lock until spring), and anchored 64 miles north of Mobile in an area called Three Rivers, which was recommended by another Looper on the boat Royale. In addition to Sandpiper, Second Wind, and Royale, three other Loopers and three Canadian sailboats are all anchored here. We’ll have to remember this location. It is a great anchorage. Grilled chicken, potato salad, stewed apples, a bottle of wine, and some freshly cooked chocolate chip cookies on Sandpiper was an excellent way to end this long day!
