November 16, 2011

I was up at 5 today, couldn't sleep.  We had breakfast and fired up the engines about 6:00.  The guy on Double Trouble was also getting ready to go.  We coordinated going through the lock.  He is a fast, long sleek, fishing boat out of Key West.  We guessed its length to be about 70 ft.  Jerry asked him how far he was going today.  He plans to be in Pensacola by the end of the day.  I'd hate to be paying his fuel bill. At best we will do 70 miles in a day.  It's 215 miles just to Mobile, AL.

Double Trouble



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Out of the lock and Double Trouble is on plane and out of there. 












Right out of the lock we see this group of Pelicans just hanging out.







It starts to rain.  The weather radio alarm goes off.  NOAA issued a tornado warning for Demopolis Airport.  Thunder, lightening, wind, and very difficult to see out.  We were sweating it for a while trying to decide what to do.  We got a call on the radio from Double Trouble letting us know he had driven out of it.  Sure enough, 30 minutes later and we were out of it also.

Good thing it stopped when it did, because we met 3 tows within 30 minutes.  Hell, even when it's clear the river is so twisty we couldn't see them until we meet them in a turn around the bend of the river.  Good thing we have AIS.  It tracks those big vessels and let's us know when one is near.

Just an example of what we're seeing on the chart and GPS.  Like I said, twisty.

Check this boat out.  It appears to be made from bamboo with a blue tarp keeping him out of the water.  Not sure what the sails are made from maybe more blue tarp.  To each his own.  I like my boat.





















We tried to anchor in Bashi Creek but it's too shallow so we go to the alternative, which is parallel to the bank, about 10 ft out,  just across from the entrance to Bashi Creek.  This is kind of disconcerting because we are just off the channel.  Jerry set the bow anchor then threw out a stern anchor so we wouldn't swing. 

I grilled some brats and Italian sausage.  The brats will be for lunch tomorrow and the Italian for pasta tonight.  It was such a pleasant evening, we sat on the sun deck and enjoyed dinner.