11/01/2009, Demopolis
Well, we made it to Demopolis AL. Caught up to a couple Canadadian boats, Perewinkle II and Twice as Nice. The weather was wet, very wet at night providing for great currents up to 2 knots extra along the river. Scenery is varied such as the White walls of EPes (picture) most of which are underwater for miles. Dianne got a picture of a snake (not sure what type , but definitely mean). Herds of Turtles were quite evident along the river as were Hyacinthe and logs (debris). Woke up to the first morning in Dempolis with visitors ( sugar ants by the hundreds) making their way up the mooring lines. cockroaches running around everywhere, sprayed around the boat with cockroach killer spray. All seems well almost..... We are trapped due to water levels which affects the bridge heights. Will try leaving when the water receeds. till the next time ...... Mobile and the Gulf!!!
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Comments [10]
Love your picture and glad you are away from the ants and cockroaches! What fun that must have been! I guess we will need to stock up on lots of bug spray! It looks like we have sold the house.........going to see an attorney that will represent us and the buyers next Wednesday night. If all works as planned, we will be able to leave as early as May 1st so that means it's still possible to do the St. Lawrence. How about meeting up in the Bahamas? We love your updates so please keep them coming. We are so amazed how you seem to be able to handle any and everything that comes your way! The Gule is next? May the wind be at your pleasure! Jeanie & Bill
The rains have quitand allow us to proceed. The rest was well needed as well as the dry out time. Distances were long considering the curent working against us. THe upper end near the Kentucky dam was nice and wide but it narrows as you get closer to Pickwick. The leaves have turned to a small degree and the bass fishermen are out in full force. The upper end of the Tennessee is scenic with limestone showing up occassionally. The houses along the river here nearing Pickwick seem to be built a little to close to the edge considering the erosion which has taken place. The trip to the Pickwick dam gave us a SOG for the last 5 miles of 1.8 to 2.5 with a an indicated speed of 5.35 on the knotlog. 17 power boats locked through the pickwick dam in two locks with the average size boat nearing 40 feet. We are now holed up in Pickwick for two days to and then onto the Tenn Tom...
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The entry into the Ohio was a sobering reminder that the current against you really does have an effect on a small engine , reducing the SOG to 2.5 to 3 knots. Now this isn't saying much until you reach lock 53 and the dams are lowered and there is a current that is now pushing you backwards at at a rate of .5 knots when your boat speed says 5.5 knots...oops. The first night on the Ohio was next to a coal loading dock ,out of the way of the barges in current which doesn't allow the boat to swing when a barge does come by75 to 100 yards away. The rain came from here to the Kentucky Lakes. The next day found us at lock 52, where the lock keeper informed us of an impending storm heavy winds and possible tornados...oops and that's a big oops. parked behind cumberland towhead we watched the lightning and really dark cells go by one at a time (not much sleep here), but thankfully no tornados.... the next day brought to Green Turtle and that's another story....
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Glad, you enjoying the adventuter of a life time.
so glad you have a blog so we can check in and see where you are.
take good care
lt&berta
M.É.La Vie :-)
River Current Doing 2 to 2.5 Knots Sharpies Dream has never travelled this fast except once. It seems going down hill has its virtues. Spent the first night on the Missus at Hoppies, the last fuel for 218 miles. Bought an extra fuel jug in Grafton, 15 gallons (U.S.) on deck. The second night was spent at the Kaskia Lock and Dam against the wall, nice and peaceful. The 3rd night was spent at the diversion channel, on the outside corner of the bend with wiers set up underwater to increase the flow, you know what that means when you go passed the entry to the anchorage " for all you Simon and Garfunkel fans" ... Slip Sliding Away !!! ...and then try to get back against the current.
Whew, we did it ,suddenly Dianne needs the loo. The next day took us to the end of the Missus and entry into the Ohio. .... to be cont.
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10/02/2009, Alton
Certain stops lead you to be on shore or have access to shore etc....,
and so far we have met nice people, such as the crew at Andrews Rest. at the Springbrook Marina where we spent the night at the fuel dock... or the nice people at the National Marina, (dianne did mail back the keys), who loaned us their hummer to go shopping.... The people where just downright friendly.
We have met many loopers who just seem to be as anxious about continuing on as we are. The scenery keeps amazing us around every corner and now we join the Mississippi where the hills are not sand as in Lake Michigan but limestone rock cuts. Until next time....
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what is going on that is making eveyone anxious?
Not looking like it will be a warm Thanksgiving. Enjoy your Canadian Thanksgiving aboard! Cheers!
I look forward to reading about it. Keep happy and safe !
Ken
Left Hammond after some fast work from Jack B and Bill S. lowering the mast and making sure the mast was going to stay put. Jack B. joined us for the 1st leg of the Illinois River to Joliette. This includes a run through the electrified fence which keeps the Asian Carp at bay. After having dealt with traffic we continued on to Joliette. Lorraine met us there and we dined in Lockport....
this is where Jack disembarked and returned to Chicago.
The river after Joliette started to clean up, less weeds and underwater floral arrangements. As we migrated south, the wildlife and the Fauna started to change, including the visual of the American White Pelican. These proved to be
very shy bird, great teachers to the young until one evening parked behind Barr Island they decided to take flight for the south, an awesome sight.That's it for now....
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Thinking of you always, Be safe
Becky
