5/24-29/17: MM 178 Anchorage – Demopolis Yacht Basin, Demopolis, Alabama = 33.18 NM & 1 Lock

We meet some current going upstream so our average speed today was 6.5 knots. Along the way we saw an Eagle alongside the river eating a fish. Beautiful site.

We had heard from a fellow boater that the Demopolis Lock and Dam was having gate issues causing delayed openings. We checked with the lock before leaving our anchorage and at that time there were no scheduled repairs. However, about 30 minutes before arriving the Lockmaster called us on Channel 14 to inform us that they were closing the lock for an emergency repair and could be closed for as long as 3 hours.  The Lockmaster was extremely professional apologizing more than once about the delay and the unscheduled repair.  Our flotilla of 4 could anchor out in the channel or tie to the lock wall while we waited. We chose to hang out in the channel as the current was swift being this close to the lock. In the meantime a large barge that we had passed earlier caught up with us and he too had to just hang out.

After we locked through it was just about 3 miles to the Demopolis Yacht Basin where large floating docks, a swinging pool, and a courtesy car awaited us.

After spending a couple of days at Demopolis Yacht Basin we all decided to stay put through the Memorial Weekend. 

5/22/17: Bobby’s Fish Camp docks Silas, Alabama – MM 149 = 26.03 NM

After a great night of land, floating docks, and dock-tails we threw off the dock lines. This next anchorage was again one we stayed at in 2014.

Seventeen miles by the crow flies, thirty miles by river.

After we anchored we grilled out on the back of Twelve Stones and enjoyed the cool breeze.

Everyone enjoying the cool breeze.

Captain by day, cook by night.

The anchorage is alongside the river and the Tug Captains are aware it’s a popular place for pleasure boaters to anchor overnight.

Big Tugs seem to get very close!

Staying on the river at night will certainly make you appreciate the expert Captains that run these tugs. It was pitch black on this night , even with the spotlight I am not sure how they saw anything.

Tugs come by at night and use a spotlight to see 

where they are going.

Our buddy boats behind us.

5/21/17: MM 97 Anchorage – Bobby’s Fish Camp docks Silas, Alabama = 18.86 NM

When we came south in November 2014 we did not stop at Bobbys so we had this listed as one of our ‘must’ stops.

Today we locked through our 1^st lock, the Coffeeville Lock & Dam. The Dam is 600’ X 110” and we will be lifted 34’. Makes us all look small when we are on the inside.

Bobby’s Fish Camp has been open for over 60 years. It is so secluded that only the locals arrive by land with most of the customer arriving by boat. This is a popular stop for boaters doing the Great Loop.

Of course we ate their famous fried cat fish. Yum!

Jake and Ike had not been off the boat for 4 days so they were excited to get to land. After they had walked and came back to the boat, Jake attempted to jump from the back of the boat to the dock (by himself). He cleared the swim platform but didn’t make the dock and landed in the water. I was standing there and grabbed him before he went under a 2^nd time. Oh my gosh!

5/20/17: Tensas River Anchorage (Alabama) – MM97 Anchorage = 59 NM

It was a long day on the river but the river delivered up a peaceful day. From here to Demopolis, Alabama all stops except 1 will be anchoring alongside the busy river. 

5/18/17: Briar Creek /Tensaw Cut-off Anchorage (Mobile, Alabama) – Tensas River Anchorage (Alabama) = 23.98 NM

We had stayed at this anchorage in November 2014 and were looking forward to dropping the hook here once again. This is a beautiful and peaceful anchorage away from river barge traffic.

We spent two days on anchor just enjoying river time.

5/17/17: The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, Alabama - Briar Creek /Tensaw Cut-off Anchorage (Mobile, Alabama) = 49.33

The long awaited day of getting to the rivers finally arrived. We had scheduled to set off around 8 am. One of our buddy boats experienced trouble so 2 boats stayed behind for an extra hour while the other 2 boats headed out. We all met at the anchorage and had a great night on anchorage.

Mobile Bay was choppy but the winds were pushing us along so we were going with the waves making it a great ride.

To get from Mobile Bay to Mobile River you have to go through the shipping channel which consists of large tankers, barges, and tugs.

Mobile Bay on the water.

Our first anchorage on the Mobile River.

Mobile River...ahhhh

5/11/17: Big Sabine Point Anchorage (Pensacola, Fl) – The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, Alabama= 34 NM

The forecasted wind forced us to go to the Wharf Marina sooner than we had planned. We just can;t seem to escape those ‘Gale Force’ wind warnings!  Our plan all along was to stop at The Wharf to restock, get the dogs groomers, etc. before heading out. Of course we went over to Foley, Alabama to Lamberts: Home of the Throwed Rolls.

 Also this is where we would meet up with our other two buddy boats, Tricia and Hoppy aboard ‘Kristin Noelle’ and Barney and Annette aboard ‘Journey.’

Downtown Wharf at Orange Beach is beautiful at night.

5/10/17: Hogtown Bayou Anchorage (Niceville, Fl.) to Big Sabine Point Anchorage (Pensacola, Fl.) = 42.5 NM

It was another smooth day on the water. The waterway to Pensacola is a well-marked narrow channel surrounded by homes and condos. Traveling on a Wednesday there was little boat traffic.

Amazing Sunset On Anchor

Tomorrow we head to Orange Beach, Alabama where we will meet up with our 2 other buddy boats and restock supplies for our trip north on the rivers. Exciting adventures await us.

5/7-9/17: Smack Bayou Anchorage (Panama City) – Hogtown Bayou Anchorage = 44.27 NM.

It was an easy run to Hogtown Bayou which is just south of Niceville, Fl.  off the ICW. The charts make the anchorage look more wind protected than it really is, so our first night was a little rocky. The anchorage is near a boat ramp/park with covered picnic tables, restrooms, and a fenced area where we could let the dogs run. We liked the spot so we decided to stay two nights.

Moon going down over the stern.

Sunrise over the bow.

This is why we love boating...amazing anchorages.

5/6/17: Apalachicola, Fl – Smack Bayou Anchorage (Panama City) = 53.33 NM

After 2 days of being under ‘Gale Force Marina Warning’ we were glad to throw off the dock lines and head out.  The trip from Apalachicola to our anchorage was mainly through a small channel surrounded by marsh lands making it a pleasant day on the water.

Our buddy boats.

A peaceful view.

Sunset at Smack Bayou

5/2/17: Gulf Of Mexico Crossing – Tarpon Springs, Fl. – Apalachicola, Fl. =

A small weather window opened up on Tuesday 5/2 for a Gulf of Mexico crossing. After pouring over numerous weather apps we all agreed that Tuesday was the day to cross or we would have to wait for at least another 9 days.

So we set off from Tarpon Springs, Florida around 10:30 am.  We had anticipated the first part of the trip was going to be somewhat uncomfortable (but not dangerous) so we weren’t surprised when, yes, it was uncomfortable. What did surprise us is that the wind and waves were exactly OPPOSITE of what the weather apps had predicted. Needless to say it was an uncomfortable crossing. Had the weather stayed true to the prediction we would have been spot-on with our forecast. But it is weather prediction so we have come to accept the flaws of the system.

Tarpon Springs Inlet Light House

Our buddy boats.

Gulf Crossing Sunrise

Gulf Crossing Sunset

After 23 hours we arrived at Apalachicola glad that we had crossed and certainly glad it was over. We have arrived just in time for another weather system to pass so we will be here at least 2 to 3 days.

4/29/17: Gulfport, Fl. Anchorage - Tarpon Cove Marina, Tarpon Springs, Fl. = 35.8 NM

It was a good weather day for travel but it was a Saturday so we anticipated we would see lots of SPORES (Stupid People On Rental Equipment Saturday). We were not disappointed. The waterway was full!

SPORES coming at us in all directions.

Tarpon Springs, Florida

4/27/17: Sarasota, Fl. (Causeway Anchorage) – Gulfport, Fl. Boca Ciega Bay Anchorage =  38 NM

It was a great day to cross Tampa Bay.  You never know what you will see on the waterway, but never expected to see horses.

Horses out or a swim in the Tampa Bay.

Sea Turtle

Beautiful !

When we arrived at our anchorage the local water Police informed us of the scheduled weekend evens that were to occur at our anchorage. Where we had planned on anchoring would be transformed into a Formula 1 Race Boat course. We could anchor there but further away from shore. We anchored then dinked into town for dinner anticipating that Friday we would see some racing action. 

On Friday at 6:30 a.m. we loaded up Jake and Ike for a quick trip to land before the action started. We waited all day and finally late on Friday afternoon a boat put out the course buoys.  

The race was scheduled to start at 8:00 am Saturday morning but when we still hadn’t seen the 1^st boat when we pulled up anchor at 7:30 am.