5/30/17:  Demopolis Yacht Basin, Demopolis, Alabama – Cooks Bend Anchorage  MM 277.9 = 53.8 NM/ 62 SM & 1 Lock

As you can see we are secluded when on anchor.

Another peaceful night on anchorage.

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