11/11/2023 to 11/22/2023

 

 

11/11/2023

Another early balmy morning 39 degrees. Have to get up early these days to make it thru the locks to our next destination. If we don't leave early the tugs start coming thru and they have priority and we have to wait. As we cruised down the river, it was sad to see how many trees are struggling to survive with the water level so low along the banks.

 

 

After going thru the last lock Dave needed to re calibrate his Garmin (it was reading upside down). While the Garmin took over he ran aground and had to be pulled off. 

Green Turtle Bay was just around the corner. We docked in and went to dinner at the Yacht Club.

 

 

 

11/12/2023

Dan & Kathy invited us for breakfast on their boat. Dan wanted to try out his new cast iron waffle maker. They turned out great !!

We took a golf cart ride around the bay. The driver took us to several places off the main road. A small bakery and to see the home of owners of the well known Patti Restaurant. Although the town is ready for Xmas the welcome sign is awaiting Thanksgiving.

 

We walked around the town. In the evening we went to dock-tails (drinks and hors d oeuvres). Met several more loopers, but it was cold outside (still waiting for the warm weather LOL).

11/13/2023

Our Flotilla leader left (Dan & Kathy). We stayed back to figure out what Dave was going to do with his boat. He was able to get lifted out at 8am and it turned out the prop was totaled. We went to dinner that night to Patti's for their famous pork chops, they did not disappoint. Everything was decorated for Xmas the Grinch even visited us at dinner !!

 

11/14/2023

Traveled about sixty miles (which took about 7 hours) and anchored out near Birdsong. Took some pictures of the Dupont Factory. Also, an abandoned home in the middle of the waters. The sunset at the end of the day was well worth the adventure.

 

11/15/2023

Another long travel day down the Tennessee River 88 miles. anchored out again but rafted to Sol Maria on one side and Hygge on the other side.  Sol Maria has now become the new Flotilla leader (hopefully we will meet up with Willie Dawes again). We arrived in the dark. While traveling down the Tennessee River. There were some beautiful new homes, row after row of mobile home shelters (lots empty with many people having headed south for the winter). There were homes where the damage from the 2021 tornado in Tennessee was still visible.

11/16/2023

Anchored down the river near the Shiloh Museum. We dingy-ed over to the museum. The museum was closed but the informative movie about the beginning of the Civil War was a must see. When we got back we pulled up the anchor to find Romex electrical wire attached!! After Shiloh we went to Grand Harbor Marina for the night.

 

11/17/2023 - 11/18/2023                                                   

Traveled another 60 miles and went thru 3 locks. We are now in the Tom Bigbee Waterway. We have traveled along the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee Rivers. And gone thru the states of Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and are we are on the border of Alabama. By car this would only take about 15 hours but has taken us about 3 weeks.

Our group heading down the waterway

Waiting for breakfast as the water recedes in the lock. They usually catch a fish on the ledge.

11/19/2023

Continued slow travels down the Tom Bigbee Waterway. Finally caught two eagles in a tree before they flew away. If you need to make a call there's an old phone booth along the side.There was also an old ferryboat that looked like it was turned into a restaurant at one time. Anchoring out (or more like rafting up) has been fun. We share dinners together and play cards !!!

11/20/2023

Still heading down the Bigbee. Heavy winds & rain predicted for this evening so the decision was made to head into a Marina. King Fisher Bay where we ordered Pizza and caught up on laundry. Someone on shore caught a video of all of us exiting the lock.

11/21/2023

The storm was not as bad as they claimed for us. Lots of lighting and rain. Started out with dry weather but within minutes it was pouring again. The locks were opening at 6 am or 8 am for pleasure boats. We took the 6 am because we needed an early start for another 10 to 12 hour day of cruising.

Early morning entry inside the lock

We rafted up while in the lock. Some of the bollards were not working.

A small waterfall outside the lock

 The trees along the shore line in Alabama don't seem to survive the low waters as well as the ones in Mississippi.

11/22/2023

We anchored last night at the Okatuppa Creek since Bashi Creek entry was to small for Sol Maria (who we raft with). Shared another dinner. Ewan (who is ten) made chocolate chip cookies for us. Chris pulled up his anchor this morning to find it wrapped around itself !! We went thru our last lock and now are officially in Tidal waters.

Matt waiting patiently for the locks to open

A very winding travel day again (the pink line)

We arrived at the Tensaw Anchorage for the night. It was an uneventful day - lots of sunshine and warm weather. Hopefully tomorrow morning leave early, head to the Sundowners Marina and find a restaurant to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Everyone enjoy your Thanksgiving !!!