Snow & Ice in Fairhope, AL

Snow & ice at Fairhope Yacht Club

   Our stay in Fairhope, AL has been very nice.  We have enjoyed some wonderful restaurants, walked around the quaint downtown, and enjoyed meeting new people at the Yacht Club (Taco Night, Chili Cook-off, Pot Luck dinner).  Thomas has enjoyed getting out by himself and riding his bike downtown.  David was busy last week working and gettting some repairs done.  After a wonderful visit with Jill's cousin & family, he was dropped off at the airport for destinations further north (yes, he arrived in snow).  

Meanwhile, Jill & the boys braced for the worst winter storm the northern Gulf has seen in decades! Southern  Mississippi & Alabama are not used to temperatures below 40 degrees, much less snow and ice in January!!  Tuesday, after a morning of rain, it turned to sleet, then snow and started covering everything to shut all the towns on the Gulf Coast of MS, AL & northern FL.  We awoke this morning to icicles on our rails, frozen decks on the boat and frozen docks.  What a sight!

We are safe and sound and warm hiding out on the boat - plenty of food, water, and heat.  We hope to start defrosting tomorrow!

Fairhope, AL - exploring

Fairhope Yacht Club pier overlooking Mobile Bay

   During the years we have been seriously planning for our journeys, one of the places mentioned to us by fellow cruisers that was a nice place to stop for a few days was Fairhope, AL.  Last trip, we stayed on the west coast of Mobile Bay on Dog River.  This trip, we really wanted to check out Fairhope.  So, when we entered Mobile Bay, we cruised east to Fly Creek where the Yacht Club sits at it's south entrance.  It is truly a sailing yacht club, and an active one, even in this cold weather.  Monday night is potluck dinner, and Tuesday night is Taco Night!  Wed thru Sunday the restaurant is open.  The Club has a pier, playground and private beach to explore.

After much discussion, we were told downtown Fairhope is an easy 1.5 miles down the road.  So, mid-Monday, we all set off to get some exercise.  Lots of sidewalks; people walking, riding bikes, walking dogs.  The downtown is very quaint.  Lots of boutiques & shops & restaurants.  We had lunch, then ice cream while we checked out the downtown.  We really liked it.  Thomas thought it was create, because it was close enough and safe enough for him to ride the bicycle by himself down there to explore (& get some time away from us!).

Meanwhile, the weather is getting cold again!  Tuesday, the winds really picked up in Mobile Bay (up to 30mph), and we tossed and turned tied up at the T-dock.  Fortunately, we have plenty of ropes and fenders to keep us safe.  

We will be staying here awhile, so we have plenty of time to check out the area, including Mobile.

Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL

Sunset at Fairhope Yacht Club

   We made it to salt water!!!  We got up early this morning with the other 3 boats we were with last night, and got out of Coffeeville Lock by 7am (our LAST lock for a long time).  Holly Goodhead took the lead and after guiding the other boats through 13 miles of heavy fog, we took off for the 130 miles we had to cruise today.  Fredricka Lady, who we've been traveling with for over a week now, stayed with us on a beautiful sun-filled day as we cruised the final 118 miles of the Tombigbee Waterway into Mobile Harbor, then Mobile Bay.  We crossed the Bay with almost no wind and cruised into Fly Creek to FairhopeYacht Club by 3:30p today.  We are back to fixed docks and tidal swings.  Yeah!

Start: Tombigbee mile marker 119            End: Tombigbee mile marker 0
Miles traveledtoday:  130                         Total Locks:  1
Total miles traveled:  848
Days cruising:  10

Bobby's Fish Camp, Silas, AL

   We rose early this morning and cast off from Demopolis by 6:30am.  Two other boats at the marina left with us, and we joined another boat as we started off our day in Demopolis Lock.  Then we had 94 miles of river while we continue to make our way south on a beautiful, sunny, chilly day.  We past a LOT of barges today.  Each boat took turns calling out the barge they were passing to let the boats behind him know who was coming.  The barge captains were all very pleasant and accommodating as we shared the river.  

The 4 pleasure boats all arrived safely at the halfway point between Demopolis and Mobile - at Bobby's Fish Camp.  This is not really a marina, mostly a long dock on the side of the river boats can safely tie up to on their way up/down the river.  Bobby started the place as a restaurant in 1956, and in 1985 when the Tombigbee Waterway was created, he added a dock so boats can stop along the way north or south.  We have not stopped here before, so we took the opportunity to experience what so many others have talked about.  We arrived by 2:30 (with a 2-3 knot favorable current on the river, we made very good time), so we had time to explore a little.  Matthew & Mom got a little soccer  practice in.  Our traveling boat friends all joined us (11 people) for a yummy dinner (they are known for catfish - delish!).  

Start: Tombigbee mile marker 216            End: Tombigbee mile marker 119
Miles traveledtoday:  97                           Total Locks:  1
Total miles traveled:  718
Days cruising:    9

Demopolis - Activities

Thomas enjoys riding around Demopolis from the marina

   While we enjoy the beautiful sunny days in Demopolis, we are amazed at the improvements to the new area of the marina.  Those of you who remember our blog from 2009, we said "Demopolis is no metropolis".  Well, the town is still small and sleepy, but have the basics you need in any small town in AL or MS.  The owners of Demopolis Yacht Basin have definitely improved your stay at this crucial marina by adding a new section with new docks.  Very nice!  Water, pumpout, and electricity available at every slip, as well as a very nice Clubhouse with 4 washers & dryers and beautiful bathrooms with showers.  They have a couple golf carts to move between the 2 marinas, which Thomas has been enjoying immensely!  He is practicing for when he gets to drive a real car!  

Many cruisers bring bicycles with them when they travel, so they have some form of transportation at their destination.  Since we are 4 people, that's a lot of bikes!  Therefore, we brought 1 of our folding bicycles with us as a trial run to see if anyone would actually use it.  Thomas insisted on it.  So, yesterday, he took off on the bike to explore downtown Demopolis by himself.  Matthew & I drove over the park with a playground, and he met us there.  Brought back memories from our last stay here!

Demopolis Marina, Demopolis, AL

Captain relaxing on the bow while underway

A gorgeous day to be on the water!  Sunny skies with fluffy clouds, temps in 40's & 50's with no precipitation.  While sitting in Pickensville, AL yesterday, 2 other cruising boat we met at Midway Marina joined us.  We borrowed the courtesy van, and all piled in to have dinner at Down Yonder Restaurant - the only place in a 10 mile radius of the marina.  Good country cooking and new friends!  David & EJ took home a slice of pecan pie they truly enjoyed.  

We all got up early this morning, and after a short delay due to a barge in Tom Bevill Lock, we were all underway.  We traveled the day together to arrive at Demopolis Marina by 3:30pm.  We  are docked at the newer section of the marina - Kingfisher Marina.  It is a wonderful as Mike & Dana said it was!  We will stay a few days while David works.

Start: Tombigbee mile marker 307            End: Tombigbee mile marker 216
Miles traveledtoday:  91                           Total Locks:  2
Total miles traveled:  621
Days cruising:   8

Pirate's Cove Marina, Pickensville, AL

Pirate Cove Marina - rustic, but home for a few days

   After a chore filled day on Saturday (laundry & repairs) and a dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant, we rose early this morning to leave at first light.  We had a long day ahead.  2 other boats left with us.  We were in Fulton Lock by 7am.  That was the first of 5 locks for the day!  We had luck on our side with no barges in our way as we cruised through these locks (though we did have to slow down for some fisherman on cammo colored boats, hard to see!).  Our traveling companions stayed with us until we got to Columbus, where they were staying for the night.  Other Loopers traveling south.  We will see them again.  It was a beautiful, sunny day, which got warmer as we continued south.  We safely arrived at Pirate's Cove by 4:30pm - before sunset, thankfully!  We will stay a couple days so David can work.

Start: Tombigbee mile marker 394            End: Tombigbee mile marker 307
Miles traveled today:  87                          Total Locks:  5!
Total miles traveled:  530
Days cruising:   7

Midway Marina, Fulton, MS

Matthew doing schoolwork while helping with laundry.
Midway Marina has the best Boater Lounge/laundry room!

   After a week at Grand Harbor getting caught up on schoolwork and David's work, we knew it was time to be on our way further south (& warmer!).  After some business calls this morning, we cast off around 11am.  We had seen many barges pass us, and today was no exception!  Today, we past 3 barges before we ever hit our first lock.  No problem!  David on conference calls, while Jill maneuvers the boat around the barges.  We then encountered 1 waiting period for a barge to complete Montgomery Lock, while we caught up with a trawler and tugboat heading south.  We locked through together, then continue on through 1 more lock, and, perilously found our way in the dark safely into Midway Marina.  Whew! 

Start: Tombigbee mile marker 450            End: Tombigbee mile marker 394
Miles traveled today:  56                          Total Locks:  3
Total miles traveled:   443
Days cruising:   6

Grand Harbor Marina, Counce, TN

"The weather outside is frightful, but inside is so delightful . . . "

   Yes, the weather has been very cold, as it is in many places across the US.  We have simply been staying inside a lot and keeping warm - heaters running constantly.  Fortunately, we only got a dusting of snow Sunday night and Monday was a sunny day, as today is shaping up to be.  Monday was our shift back to reality:  David started working for his client and the boys started school.  They are enjoying being able to "go to school" in their pjs.

The marina we are staying at is nice. It sits right on the main channel at the intersection of the TN River & Tombigbee Waterway, so traffic passes right by our window.  They have a courtesy van they are allowing us to use, so we have gotten out a little to explore where we are - middle of nowhere.  Savannah, TN is interesting, and the kids & I visited the TN River Museum yesterday.  We will leave in a couple days to head south again.

Finish TN River - Enter Tombigbee Waterway!!

   We made it 1/2 way to the Gulf!  After a very cold, windy night, we awoke this morning at Goose Pond Marina and started our long journey.  David was ambitious and said we could complete the final 163 miles of the TN River today, which also included 3 locks, one train bridge, & a fuel stop!!  The weather was very cold, but sunny and less windy than yesterday.  The boat handled beautifully as we put it through the test of running at almost full speed all day.  After a 9 hour cruising day, we were rewarded by taking the turn off the TN River, onto the Tombigbee Waterway, and into Grand Harbor Marina, Counce, TN (we are actually at a point where 3 states meet:  MS, AL, & TN).  We will now take a break from cruising for a few days so David can get some consulting work done, and the kids & Mom can get ready to start schooling.

Start: TN mile marker 378            End: TN mile marker 215 onto Tombigbee Waterway mile 450
Miles traveled today:  163            Total Locks:  3  (+ 1 lift train bridge)
Total miles traveled:  387
Days cruising:   5

Goose Pond Marina, Scottsboro, AL

Sunrise at Goose Pond Marina

During the night, it started raining in Chattanooga, and that would be the best description of today's weather!  Most of the day, it lightly rained on & off.  Fortunately, that means no fog on the water!  The TVA & USCG had warnings about The Gorge area of the river near Chattanooga, but we had no problems - the additional 2-4 knot current certainly helped speed us along, though!  The wind picked up the last couple of hours of the day, but our 2 captains (David & Thomas) kept us on course, and we safely arrived (through a narrow channel) at Goose Pond Marina around 3:30.  Temperatures are dropping, so we will get some laundry done, cook dinner, and settle down for the evening.

Start: TN mile marker 464                    End: TN mile marker 378
Miles traveled today:  90                       Total Locks:  1
Total miles traveled:  224
Days cruising:   4

Happy New Year - from Chattanooga

We made it to Chattanooga today by 3:30pm!!  The generator water  pump was rebuilt last night, and by 7:20am, we cruised out of Terrace View Marina.  After 3.5 hours of traveling in the fog (including Watts Bar Lock), the temperature rose enough to burn off the fog, and we had a gorgeous day!  With all the rain the area has had lately, the Dams are pushing a lot of water down river, so that current helps us move faster than normal.  We cruised right up to Chickamauga Lock and went on through.  The TN Aquarium in downtown Chattanooga was a beautiful site to see!!
Start: TN mile marker 544                    End: TN mile marker 464
Miles traveled today:  80                        Total Locks:  2
Totaled miles traveled:  138  
Days cruising:   3

Entering Watts Bar Lock in fog.

Lots of electronics (especially radar!) allow us to travel in fog.