Tombigbee/Black Warrior Waterway

Well it was the coldest night yet, frost on the ramps and you could see your breath, the dock help said the temperature dropped to 22 degrees but I don't think it was quite that cold at the marina.

 I have numerous photos where the shoreline is on an angle and we all know that is not quite how it is.

For 24 miles you follow the Divide Cut which at times was only 280 feet bank to bank.  The Army Corps of Engineers straightened the river for ease of navigation for the commercial traffic.

Blue Skies (Larry and Christene) locking through as we head toward Smithville.  We found the lockmasters on the Tombigbee/Black Warrior Rivers to be exceptional, they were friendly, courteous and tried to lock groups of pleasure boats down together to save time.

We spent one night at Smithfield Marina, this area was hit very hard by the tornado that came through in April 2011, much of the town was destroyed and many lives were lost.

We spent two nights at the Columbus Marina, there were many loopers congregated here so docktails took place the first night. 

 These are roots of a tree by the ramp to the docks

We borrowed the courtesy car with Bruce & Karen (OokPik) and Larry & Christene (Blue Skies) and visited the Waverly Mansion, an ante bellum home that is/has been restored, a never ending labour of love

 Huge Magnolia trees, they must be amazing in the spring

 Raising peacocks as a hobby

  For all the time I spent looking for a pay phone on Lake Michigan so I could complain to Rogers about our cell coverage and here there is a phone on the banks of the river!

And then a totem pole!

 As you can see from the chart we crossed Alabama/Mississippi border a few times in one day

 Rainbow at the anchorage at Cochrane Cut Off

 Heading for shore

 Erosion at work

 

While at anchorage the night before Bruce from OokPik had a heart attack, we all know that many things can go wrong on the water but it makes you realize how very vunerable you are.  The boat spent a few nights in Demopolis while we helped Bruce and Karen head north  to meet their son and return to Canada, they are hoping to be back on the boat in January.  A big thanks to Lynda and Don (Awespray) for all their help in assisting Bruce and Karen in all that had to be done.

We were back on the water and travelling by ourselves, a very strange feeling after travelling with so many different boats for so many months.  After you come out of the Demopolis Lock you need to look backwards to see the waterfalls.

We did a 62 mile day to arrive at Bobby's Fish Camp for my birthday.  What an experience, 3 boats on the dock, cabins, and the restaurant (photo below).  The menu choice was deep fried, deep fried or deep fried, the only thing fresh was the cole slaw.  Frank had earlier mentioned in conversation that it was my birthday and to our surprise a cake (like a chocolate roll you buy in a grocery store but pinkish) and candles arrived to the table, and then to our further surprise $16 was added to the bill for the cake, oh well

Our last lock of the river system, the Coffeeville Lock, the osprey learn that small fish often get caught by the lock walls as the water drains.

 A barge with trees growing on it

It was a lovely day on the river, the Rosborough is really made for this type of travel.  We anchored at Three Rivers Lake with both a bow and stern line and were able to dingy Rory onto the river and get him off on a sand beach.  There could be both snakes and alligators now so we wanted a full view of all that surronded us as we got off the dingy.

The next morning we were fogged in, a small sailboat came from further in the anchorage, saw all the fog and turned around.  Frank suggested he raft up to us instead of putting his anchor back down while we waited for the fog to lift.  It turns out he was from Germany and had crossed the Atlantic Oceon to the Carribean in this 20 ft sailboat, sailed north and was now making his way to the Gulf of Mexico.

 Mobile, Alabama

 Mobile Bay, the crossing to Fairhope was rough but we followed Adagio and soon arrived at our destination

Thanksgiving was graciously hosted by Robert and Vicki, gold loopers and harbor hosts, in their beautiful home in Fairhope.  All loopers in the area were invited and a wonderful time was had by all.  The tables were groaning under the weight of all the food.