November 17, 2011

Remember we are anchored close to shore just off the channel, well we were awakened about 2 am by the boat rocking then again at 2:45.  Tows run all night long.  Got up to check anchors, all was good.

We finally got up about 5:30, made coffee and a muffin.  Pulled anchors at 6:30 and were on our way. Plan to travel 55 miles to anchorage at mile 100, Lock 1 Cut Off.  It's a beautiful sunny, crisp morning, 47F.

This river has more bends than you can imagine, in fact, we traveled 5.4 miles and were only 1.3 miles from where we started.  

We heard lots of talk about "Bobby's Fish Camp" from other loopers.  This was supposed to be a must stop just for the cultural experience.  We weren't sure what to expect so when we happened upon this 100 foot dock, we weren't sure what to think.  That's all it was, a fuel dock with places for about 4 or 5 boats to tie up.  We didn't stop because we didn't need to and it wasn't worth stopping. If you absolutely had to get fuel or had an emergency then I guess it was the place, but you are close to the channel and not much different than our night on the river last night.  Some boaters were stopping there after traveling 100 miles from Demopolis.  We opted for more stops (anchorages). 

Went through the last lock, the Coffeeville Lock at mile 116.6, on this leg of our journey.  Our next lock will be somewhere on the ICW along the Carolina coast.  I took the boat into the lock and am getting better at docking this beast.


I took these pictures of the lock opening.  Once it's safe to depart, the lock master sounds a horn.

The river narrows and is much shallower out of the lock. We are seeing much more sand and even dunes in places. More tropical, if you will.  Charts and cruising guide warn that tides need to be considered as we get closer to the Gulf.  Not very significant yet, not even a foot difference.

 At about noon, we get to our anchorage.  If we don't anchor here, we have to go another 4 1/2 hours before another stopping point.  Will enjoy the afternoon here.

 The creek going into this anchorage is beautiful.  Egrets and Herons are standing along the shore.  It's beautiful.

It opens up as we approach the old lock.  Lock #1, which was completed in 1902, was one of 17 low-lift locks and dams constructed on the Black Warrior and TomBigbee rivers between 1895 and 1915. 

In 1956, Coffeeville Lock and Dam replaced three of the old structures, Locks 1, 2 & 3.  With construction of the locks and dams, the old structures were removed and in many cases the sites converted into recreation areas, providing access to the river.  There is a boat ramp just before the old lock.  It provides access to the Old Lock One Park.

We took the dinghy out for a ride.  Jerry took us through the old lock.  We were about 3/4 through when I said it was like rapids in the water.  Then ker chunk.  The prop hit something in the water and the engine stopped.  He lifted the motor out then kind of walked us past whatever was under the water.  The engine started and we carefully maneuvered back out.  We cruised over to the boat ramp, got out and walked up the hill.  There are picnic tables and shelters.  There was a camper van close to the road.  This older gentleman came up and introduced himself as the park host.  He lives at the park providing a presence so people don't trash it.  Don has traveled quite a bit, walked the Appalachian Trail and lived out of his van for the last 8 years. Interesting guy.  He said we were really lucky that we didn't do any damage to the dinghy, what we hit was the sill of the old lock.  There is rebar under the water and it could have done some major damage.

While we were talking to Don, I noticed pecans all over the ground.  I asked if they were fit to eat. He said people get them all the time.  We packed our pockets full and headed back to the boat.  We ended up with over 2 pounds. 

Back at the boat we chilled for awhile