Waiting for Mast

We no sooner entered Mobile Bay when we saw them.  Totally by surprise, two cute and playful dolphins surfaced right in front of our bow!  What a perfect welcome to salt water and the Gulf of Mexico!  

I ran for the camera and saw two more to starboard then more to port.  It was one of those "pinch me....is this really happening" moments.  I was pointing the camera out into the water when I heard a strange splash beside the boat and there were three of them swimming right beside me close enough to reach out and touch.  In all the excitement I did manage to get some snaps but just a few.  The rest is etched in my memory bank for ever.

It was mid morning and the fisherman were out trying to make a living, which not only drew in the dolphins but also the sea birds.  Clouds of seagulls and pelicans followed thie fishing boats looking for an easy meal.  It was comical to watch them fight for any morsal they could get their beaks on.  I could almost hear the seagulls saying, "MINE! MINE! MINE!" (From the movie Finding Nemo)

All this was happening while we were making our way from downtown Mobile, where we stayed for a night, to Turner Marine were our mast was supposed to be.  After passing through a  narrow channel in very skinny water we arrived at  Turner's around noon yesterday.  Guess what?  The mast has not arrived yet. 

Finally we have met up with other sailors....lots of them.  They are all here waiting for their masts to arrive haha.  Actually that's not altogether true as some carried their masts on deck for this trip.  Long story short, the truck is arriving today.  After that we all have to get our masts ready to hoist.  Then we all wait our turn to step them.  So far the soonest we can step our mast will be Tuesday afternoon.  (November 1).

In the meantime we have lots of cleaning and maintenance jobs that need to be done but more about that....next time.

Mobile skyline

Downtown Mobile

River Wrap Up

Naturally when we first started out on August 6th we had preconceived ideas of what this river trip was going to be like.  Harley wanted to come this way because it was different from anything we have done before. I was apposed to the idea but went along with it agreeing that it would be an adventure if nothing else. 

When we entered the system on September 5th I was expecting a fast running river full, of obstacles, lined with industry, commercial traffic, and no sailboats.  Harley was expecting much of the same but knew we'd meet lots of interesting people and see a part of the world that not many get to see or experience. 

We've been on the river for two months and for the first two weeks I was saying to Harley, "see, I told you so!"  (Sorry Harley! xoxo) (Truth be told, he was saying "you were right!") 

The first river, the Illinois River wasn't bad at all, especially compared to the Mississippi, which was every nightmare I imagined.  But once we turned on to the Ohio River it was like entering a whole new world.  All of a sudden the current was gone, the debris was gone, and the scenery became wild and wonderful.

Belive it or not it just kept getting better and better.  What has surprised me the most is the amount of wildlife and wilderness we've seen.  If I  were to estimate, I would say this whole river system is 90% wilderness!  Not what I was expecting AT ALL! .... and a very pleasant surprise indeed.  At times it felt very jungle-like and at others it felt like northern Ontario. 

Having done the Intercoastal Waterway six years ago, I am now so very happy we came this way....this time.   Make no mistake, the intercoastal was wonderful and we loved it.  Every turn was new and exciting, but if we had gone that way again it would have been "ho hum...are we there yet?"  Coming this way has brought back the excitement and newness that we seem to crave.  Thank you Harley for talking me into this.  You were right!

We are only 35 miles outside of Mobile Alabama...the end of the river.   We could be there by now but, like I mentioned before, our mast isn't due to be there for four more days.  This anchorage is quiet and remote with a resident alligator.   (Yes, I finally got to see them.....big ones!)  We're going to stay here for the day then move down the river to another anchorage.  We called Turner Marine to let them know we will be there on Thursday when the mast arrives......but more about that....next time. 

Almost There

Well, we've had a busy few days.

We arrived in Demopolis thinking we'd stay one night.  It hadn't been that long since we last repovisioned so there was really no need to stay. That was until we saw the place.  Kingfisher Marina at the Demopolis Yacht Basin was like a mini resort!  It was a beautiful facility with a wonderful pool. The weather was hot and humid so we stayed and took advantage of it all.  Besides, we wanted to be somewhere where we knew we had a good signal to watch the presidential debate.  Now that was one and a half hours of our life that we'll never get back.  Just saying.

Harley also took advantage of this extra day to install an electric winch for our dinghy.   What a difference that has made!  We can now raise and lower the dinghy with a push of a button.  I feel so lawdy da! 

It was an early morning start when we decided to move on down the, one and only, Black Warrior River.  (Yes, we can now safely say we are on the home stretch!)  Seven boats left the marina at the same time all wanting to catch the Demopolis lock for 7:00 am.  It was a bit chaotic with everyone putting in their requests for port or starboard tie but, in the end, it went well.

The Warrior River is really scenic and probably my most favorite so far.  Again, it is very remote but much more serpentine than what we've become used to.  We can travel 4 miles but, with all the switchbacks, only gain 1/4 mile as the crow flies.   It takes longer to make headway but we are in no hurry as we've received word that our mast will not be delivered to Mobile until the 28th of October.   There's no point getting there any sooner than we have to.

Truly we have not seen any evidence of civilization for two days.  That was until yesterday when we came across Bobbie's Fish Camp.  This is a place on the side of the river and all that's there is a 150 foot dock and a rustic restaurant.  Five boats were already there when we arrived and by the end of the day 12 boats were rafted 4 deep.  One of the boats was a 125 foot mega yacht called Mimi.  That was very cool to say the least!  The restaurant was hopping that night as we all had to experience their specialty... catfish dinner.  All I can say is, I hope those catfish did not come from this river!

Even though it's remote, the Black Warrior River is used for commercial traffic and is not clean at all. 

This morning we went through the last lock.  We are now at sea level and in tidal water.  With no good anchorages or marinas on this stretch, we are presently anchored by a railroad bridge on the side of the river.  Warm and fuzzy is not what we're feeling but we are safe and out of the way...I hope. 

At mile marker 89, we are almost there!  Only 89 more miles to Mobile, Alabama!   I'm almost giddy!  Only two more days!  But more about that......next time.

Heading into Demopolis

This stretch of the river has been so pretty that I just had to do a blog post if not only to send pictures.  Not much has changed from the last time.  Adamant 1 is still waiting on a new transmission and we are still slowly moving towards Mobile, Alabama.  We figure we will be there in 5 days.

Today we are heading into the 'metropolis of Demopolis' to fuel up and reprovision whether we need to or not as it will be our last opportunity to do so before we reach Mobile.  From here on good anchorages are next to none. 

We set the hook here in our present anchorage the day before yesterday.  It's a nice spot surrounded with wilderness and wildlife but, darn it, no alligators.  We've seen lots of logs that look like alligators, which is exciting for a brief moment. Lol.  I have myself so pumped to see an alligator that I think I'll poop my pants if I  actually do see one up close.  By the way, in our search we saw a wild boar.  That was cool!...no poop. 

On our way here we passed some magnificent sights such as these spectacular white chalk cliffs.   It's hard to capture it a photo but believe me, it's a 10 on the Wow metre.

Tomorrow we will be on the Black Warrior River heading down the home stretch.   But more about that...next time.

Sunrise over our new friend's boat "Endeavor" on a misty morning.

The stunning white chalk cliffs!

Spanish moss

Full moon setting

Searching for Alligators

They say, "there's alligators in these here parts" but we've been scouring the shoreline with our eyes for days and haven't seen a single one.  It was open season on alligator last month so maybe that scared them off.  By the way, did you know they sell alligator meat in Walmart down here? 

Since my last post, 4 days ago, we have only traveled 60 miles.  That's the distance I used to drive to work and back each day but I guess it's not just about putting miles on each day.  Our days have been full with reprovisioning, socializing, and sight seeing.

Adamant 1 is still in a marina in Columbus, Mississippi awaiting a new transmission.  It truly is an unfortunate set of circumstances for them and we all have our fingers crossed that it gets fixed easily and quickly.  Having been in their situation before, we know how they feel. 

We stayed at the marina a for a day but now, without Adamant 1, we are slowly inching our way south.  Yesterday we anchored in front of the Tom Bevill  Visitor's Centre, which turned out to be a museum of sorts and well worth the stop.   The building was an authentic replication of an antebellum style mansion with impressive architecture.  Inside contained displays and relics that related to the history of the Tenn-Tomm Waterway.

The anchorage in front of the visitor's centre was not very protected and situated right beside the Tom Bevill lock and Dam.   We had tows and barges running along side us all night long.  It was safe but definitely a little unnerving.  I keep telling myself, 'It's all part of the adventure'. 

Yesterday we said goodbye to Mississippi and we are now in Alabama.   Our next milestone will be Demopolis where we will meet up with the last river...The Warrior River.  Cool name eh?  At that point we will be able to say we're on the home stretch. .....but more about that....next time.

Never a Dull Moment

There is never a dull moment when cruising.  It's true.   So much so that we've come to expect the unexpected and are becoming comfortable being uncomfortable.  Unwelcome surprises are a part of everyday life when you live on a boat.

After all, there are many systems on boat that need constant monitoring and even some that need babying.  It's like we live in our own mini city.  For example we have our power plant (solar panels, gas generator, and engine).  We have our own communication station. Then there's the waste water treatment plant....and fresh water treatment....and for us, soon to be a water maker that converts sea water to fresh water. 

The engine and electricity need constant attention.  The structure needs to be sound and free of leaks.  The sails and the rigging need to be in good order.   Trust me, there is a lot to maintain, and  many opportunities for things to go wrong.  Cruising is just another way of saying... fixing your boat in exotic places.

So what's this all about? We'll it seems our poor friends Pat and Lynn on Adamant 1 had some bad luck and lost their transmission the day before yesterday.   With no forward or reverse they were dead in the water. 

We were following behind them when it happened.  While Lynn was on the phone to "Tow Boat US" (tow insurance everyone doing this trip should have)  we were tieing Folly along side their boat.  It was decided that we would tow Adamant 1 to the closest anchorage. The tow service would then pick them up there in two days to take them to a marina for servicing .

Harley and Folly did a great job towing them.  There were a few stressful moments .... especially in the locks....but we made it.  The anchorage was 10 miles and 2 locks away. 

In the meantime we've had a great day off.  Pat and Lynn had decided days ago that they wanted to cook a Thanksgiving dinner and believe it or not they went through with it.  It was wonderful and a one we will never forget! 

We truly have a lot to be thankful for!  Right now I am thankful for the new friends we've made, our safe journey so far dispite many obsticles, and all my friends and family who read this drivel.  Thank you!!

You may or may not have noticed that we've slowed down a bit.  Our insurance provider doesn't want us to be south of Mobile Alabama before November 1st. We have lots of time to make that date.

Today Adamant 1 was picked up and towed away.  Boo hoo!  We will see them at  our next stop in Columbus, Mississippi.  It will be interesting to hear how their tow went, but more about that....next time.

Folly with Adamant 1 in tow.

Thank goodness for "Tow Boat U.S."