Mayday, mayday…

November 4, 5, 2011

November 4

We have an emergency on board!  I thought we had two more 24 packs of Diet Coke packed away and it turns out we are down to our last 17 cans.  If you really know me, you understand the urgency.  I am seriously addicted to diet coke.  (Don’t judge – we all have our weaknesses.)  I drink about eight cans a day and Brian probably drinks four.  We may not get to a grocery store for another two and a half days.  As a way of rationing, I’ve decided the best thing to do is ----- not let Brian have any more until the supply is replenished!  I think that is the only reasonable solution.  

About 20 boats left the marina this morning headed for the lock.  Since we are a slower boat, we opted to go in group two.  We are all headed to Mobile – and there’s only way to get there.  The main issue for this night is to find an anchorage that is deep enough for us and not already full of other boats.  We found a great spot.  We had intended to go another 15 miles, but we could hear conversation on the radio indicating four boats were already snuggled in that bay for the night.  At first we thought our second choice was going to be too shallow, but after easing in and out numerous times we found a space where the water was nine plus and dropped our anchor.  73 miles to tomorrow’s destination, Demopolis.  We’ve gone through 45 locks since we left Bayport – and, of course, we are far from done.  1796 miles so far.

I don’t know what to say --
a phone booth on the river bank in the middle of no where. 
We haven’t had cell service for two days.  Maybe I should try it.



Not all tow boats are created equal.

Claw pulls scrap metal from barge,
drops it in a funnel that feeds into a dump truck. 
Four claw loads and the dump truck drives away. 
Very efficient.

November 5

We didn’t get an early start because of….you guessed it, FOG!  Left our little nest at 8:15, cranked the engine up to 1800 RPM and we’re moving 9.2 MPH.  Sun sets about 6 tonight so we have to work it to make 73 miles and get through a lock.  We got to the lock; it is open and waiting for us, but, wait…a sailboat is approaching and the only courteous thing to do is wait for it.  In spite of a couple of small setbacks we arrive in Demopolis at 4:45.  Plenty of time to reunite and swap stories with other boaters. 

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

                                                                  About to be a houseboat

    

 The White Cliffs of Epes formed from Selma Chalk and loaded with fossils.  Eroded into fantastic sculptures.