Columbus MS to Mobile Bay

Wednesday 11/15 we planned on a 59 mile run, with 2 locks but we made such good time we decided to keep going and get through another lock and anchor in the Tombigbee oxbow just below the Heflin lock.

We had 3 other looper buddies there with plenty of room!

The next morning we had a shorter ride to Kingfisher Marina in Demopolis.  Only 50 miles and NO LOCKS!   

Wasn't long into our ride that we came to the White Cliffs of Epes!  I learned that the cliffs are made up of microscopic algae shells that drifted to the seafloor around 80 million years ago to become a massive chalk formation.  Very impressive.  The pictures don't do them justice.  

  

We got into Kingfisher Marina around 1 o'clock  and enjoyed a warm and sunny afternoon at the dock.  Friday morning we left along with 10 other boats at 5:30 headed to the Demopolis Lock.  We cleared the lock a little before 7.  We have a long day ahead of us to Bashi Creek anchorage.  

Our first alligator sighting! 

We made it to Bashi Creek before dark and anchored just off the channel with another looper.  There was a boat ramp just inside Bashi Creek which was nice for getting Roxie off the boat for awhile.  

The night was calm without any tows passing!  We were up at 5 the next morning for a 62 mile run and our LAST LOCK!!  After going through the Coffeeville Lock we were now in saltwater and tides.  The water didn't change much, still pretty muddy.  

We made it to our anchorage at Salt Creek just in time for the OSU game and enjoyed the afternoon.  This was our first time anchoring in tidal waters.  The tide changed the direction of the water in the river.  We had a couple of tugs go by in the middle of the night without any issues.     

The next morning we slept in a bit because we have a shorter day, which was perfect because it was really foggy when we did get up.  Planned on getting to Tensaw River anchorage around 1 or 2 o'clock.  

Bill took this picture on the way back to the boat after taking Roxie to the beach.  Notice the direction of the boat....looking down river this morning rather than up river yesterday.  

The Tensaw River was a really nice anchorage.  

What a sunset!

Left the Tensaw River anchorage ready for a 40 mile ride to the Mobile Bay.  On the way we saw some wild pigs along the waters edge, but they were gone by the time I could get my hands on my phone.  I did manage to take this picture of a barber shop chair in the middle of nowhere.  How did that get there! 

We also started to see Gray pelicans.  One difference between white and gray pelicans is that the white ones fish from the top of the water, while the gray ones dive into the water to catch fish.  

Coming into Mobile!

We ended up on the convention center wall for 2 nights, which turned out to be pretty nice.  No water or electric, but we were right downtown with parks, groceries and restaurants!  It's been awhile since we had any kind of fast food and Chick-fil-a is one of our favorites!  Only a short 0.2 miles away from the boat!  

Have you ever seen a Chick-fil-a drive thru into a building?  

We are looking forward to heading out to clearer waters.  Next up is Mobile Bay into the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW)!

Joe Wheeler to Columbus, MS

We departed Joe Wheeler along with a group of 22 boats Friday morning heading north on the Tennessee River.  We got through the Wheeler Lock without any delays; however, the Wilson Lock was working on a large tow causing a 3+ hour delay.   

The lock master took a couple pictures of our group along with a dozen bass boats. 

We thought it strange to have bass boats going through the lock, but it turns our there was a huge bass tournament going on at the park adjacent to the Florence Harbor Marina, which is where we were headed.  Needless to say, it was hectic getting into our dock.  

The next morning, the tournament continued with a 6am start.  Yep, that's about 125 bass boats waiting to be released!

Sunday morning we had a easy 43 mile run to Aqua Yacht Harbor were we joined 45 other looper boats.  Some were planning on leaving their boat and heading home for Thanksgiving while others were continuing with their journey south.  

Leaving Aqua Yacht Harbor is the start of our 8 day run to Mobile Bay!  We have daily runs now averaging 60 miles a day, staying at marinas or anchoring each night.  

Early start from Aqua. 

Once we got back out into the river we found ourselves in a thick blanket of fog.  We could have turned back, but with  radar and two chart plotters guiding our way, we continued on at idle speed for 2 hours until the fog lifted.   We went through 3 locks and made it to Midway Marina well before dark.  

Tuesday morning we left Midway at dawn for a 58 mile run with 4 locks to Columbus Marina. 

We got into Columbus Marina shortly before dark.  It was a little tricky getting in but we got great instruction from Steve at the marina.  The next morning we were up again before light.  There were 5 other loopers leaving with us before sunrise.....two of which went aground waiting for the tow to clear the lock.  Luckily they were able to get themselves off.

Only 6 more travel days to Mobile Alabama!!

  

  

Cuba Landing Marina to Joe Wheeler State Park

Friday 10/27/23 we headed back out on the Tennessee River on our way to Clifton RV & Marina.  It was a gray morning, a little rainy but a good day for moving on.  We had a 43 mile ride ahead of us.  

Clifton RV and Marina was a tiny harbor with a nice bar and restaurant.  Late in the afternoon a group of boats came in from Pickwick Lake for a Halloween party.    

Saturday morning we were up and out as the sun started coming up headed to Aqua Yacht about 49 miles up the Tennessee River.  

Nice sunrise!

Headed into the Pickwick Lock

Aqua Yacht is a large marina with full facilities, restaurant and 3 loaner cars!

 

After a 3 night stay in Aqua Yacht we were off again headed to Florence for a couple of days to provision and prepare for the American Great Loop Cruisers Association Fall Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler Sate Park.  

Settled into Florence Harbor Marina.  

Happy Halloween!

We were up and leaving Florence before dawn.  There were 8 boats headed to Joe Wheeler and the Wilson lock master said that if we arrived at the lock by 6:30, he would get us through before they start barge traffic that morning.  It was cold, dark and foggy heading out!

The Wilson lock was the largest lock that we have been through so far.  It has a lift of 84 feet!

Once at the top of the lock, the fog started to lift.

We arrived at Joe Wheeler State Park, which would be our home for a week attending the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous.  

 

We were one of first few to make it to the lodge. 

We were welcomed by a flock of White Pelicans!

There were 45 boats in attendance with 277 attendees.  The week was busy with route briefings covering the Tenn-Tomm waterway to Mobile Alabama, around the state of Florida and up the east coast to Norfolk Virginia including a side trip to the Bahamas.  We opened Cheers up for 3 evenings for the Looper Crawl, where attendees could tour boats on the dock.  

Tailgate before the start of the rendezvous. 

The boat behind us on the dock had underwater lighting that attracted two large Gars each night. 

Group photo

Up next we start our trip south to warmer weather!  

 

October 2023 Summary

 Below is our Nebo log for October along with numbers from our ships log. 

Main Hours	Gen Hours	Fuel Used	GPH Average	Miles	NMPG Average
125.1	17.5	300	2.10	727	2.42