Friday November 6, 2009

Pulled out this morning at 5:15AM. Getting out of the Dog River channel and across Mobile Bay will take three plus hours. Wind picking up from the NE and traveling in the Intra-coastal.

Good long run today. once in the intra-coastal, with a shallower depth then is optimum for Brightwater, we only travel at around 8.25 kt. (almost 10 mph). It just takes longer.

In at Destin, Fl. at 4:45PM. Meeting up with a couple who would like to look at the Brightwater. Came back inside Destin harbor and docked at Galati Yachts for the night. Lots of activity here on Friday night with bands, some sort of contests, and fishing derby. Local commercial fishermen protesting a ban on a certain type of grouper. They feel its totally unfair as do others in similar Florida ports. They claim their business is negatively affected when there 's an abundance of grouper. Go figure.

Thursday November 5, 2009

Docked today at Dog River Marina. Having the oil changed in the main two engines, with oil and fuel filters changed as well. We'll clean the inside, re-provision, and do laundry.

Took a while to do the oil, etc. since the mechanic couldn't get here until 2:00PM. The boat has been thoroughly cleaned and once again looks wow.

Cell phone malfunctioned due to excessive water on its inside. For some unknown reason the phone ended up in the washing machine. Clean isn't necessarily better with these phones. Scrambled and acquired a replacement sans all the stored numbers. Maybe the immersion in rice will dry the beast out enough to retrieve what been accumulating for many years.

Wednesday November 4, 2009

Almost all of the nine boats were ready to go at 5:30AM, slipping into the Coffeeville Lock, our last lock on this trip. They all made it, even the smaller ones.

This will be a longer run today to our marina destination half way down the wast side Mobile Bay. We'll still be picking up an advantage initially going down stream until we hit the tide in and around Mobile. Need to keep moving as its about 126 miles.

Wow. Mobile, AL. is a beehive of commercial activity. Industrial, ship repair, ship building, Naval training, and lots of Bamas and Bamettes (Bamas are those who sing, hum, or whistle Sweet Home Alabama constantly). Fantastic looking new Navy warship, looks like bullets would just bounce off. This will be one fast ship.

We're here at Dog River Shipyard / Marina at 5:00PM, as it was fast getting dark . Took on 300 gallons of diesel and arranged for oil, and filter changes tomorrow. Will also be forced to do laundry or someone will have to ride in the dingy.

Tuesday November 3, 2009

We're out and down to the lock at 5:15AM and we had twelve boats. Good job on the lock master's part. Lowered us down (35') and were on our way at 6:30AM. It's warming up with high today of 75°. Shorts for all. Better than 45° That we heard about up north.

Arrived at the infamous Bobby's Fish Camp on the Tenn-Tom Wareway (Silas, AL.) around 2:00PM. There were nine boats on this small dock that required rafting up three deep. Since we were earlier than anticipated cocktails stared at 4:00PM (the new 5:00PM). That progressed into dinner and barbecue. Everyone brought something and as expected, gluttony was at hand due to extended progressive 27 course feed. Great time meeting everyone especially due to boater's collegiality. Just can't do something like very often or we'd have to get outriggers to float the boat and crew.

One boat is docking tomorrow for two months and had to use up all their food. Not bad. Brats. Blue berry cobbler. Also ordered a few things from the Fish Camp's "restaurant": deep fried pickles, hush puppies, and onion rings. What ever can be deep fried, is. Hello, bio-diesel.

Monday November 2, 2009

Early morning start out of our marina and immediately into the Stennis Lock. 5:20AM. Early yes, but due to the time change this is the new 6:20AM. Nine boats at once as everyone wanted to get going at first light. Longer run today with light barge traffic.

In at Demopolis, AL. around 5:20PM. Place is packed. Very few if any slips left. Lots of "loopers" coming from their rendezvous and boats like us going down after November 1. Have been traveling with much the same group of boaters and we all saw each other at the marina's restrauant. There was agreement that tomorrow we all should be out and down to the Demopolis Lock as early as possible. 4:30AM? No way. called the lock master and they won't take until 5:30AM. Bummer.

Sunday November 1, 2009

"In the early morning mist I see ...." as the first line of the song goes. . At first light a mist was rising off the waterway as far as you could see. Spooky and may have been better yesterday for Halloween. Time change today - falling back. You know, it's still dark in the morning.

We're off at 6:40AM along with six other boats. We'll go through four more locks today and getting an early start is a smart thing. Channel is only 15 feet deep and for us 8.25 kt works perfectly. Everyone runs together so there's no advantage for any one running faster since you'll just have wait at the next lock.

In at Columbus marina, Fulton, Mississippi at 2:30PM. First we took on 200 gallons of diesel and tied up in our assigned slip. The restaurant here is very good however after the summer it's not normally open on Sundays . Because there's so many boaters heading south they're serving just for us. Hope it not leftovers.

Had a nice enjoyable dinner with Cathy and Gene Johnson, marina neighbors in Ft. Myers. They're awaiting arriving guests tonight and will spend some time around here before heading south.