Waterway Above the Dam

The waterway is more lake-like above the dams

Large Skipperliner

Saw this new Skipperliner in transit to Maryland

Updates

The updates of been sporadic as a result of no cell service or analog only cell service during our travels. We hope and expect to once again post daily in the coming days, but no guarantees.

Day 9 – Sumter Landing to Smithville Marina (Mississippi)

Left Sumter Landing at 6:55 local time for Smithville Marina, arrive at 3:30 local time. Today we passed through five locks and covered 104 miles. This is about 15 miles and three locks longer than originally planned (Aberdeen Marina).

We have been very fortunate in hitting the locks when they were not busy. The lockmasters seemed very cooperative in calling ahead to the next lock to help our passage as well. I am sure this is not possible when things are busy on the Ten-Tom.

Smithville is providing a courtesy car to go to dinner. Harry is researching the possibilities of local fare.

Towboat waiting for us to exit the lock

We have been very fortunate that we have not waited long to lock through the various locks on the Ten-Tom thus far. Hope our luck holds.

Tombigbee

The river continues to change its look as we proceed northward. Soon, it will have the appearance of a canal as we enter the engineered section.

Day 8 - Bobby’s Fish Camp to Sumter Landing

We left Bobby’s Fish camp relatively early and considered the possibility of stopping in Demopolis for fuel only and proceeding to an anchorage called Sumter Landing, a Corps of Engineers maintained camp ground and ramp. This included two locks and 150 statute miles. The entrance is extremely shallow and one must stay to the center. We showed .7 feet below our rudder, total depth around 4.7 feet at the entrance, but quickly gained depth once inside.

At mile marker 225 we officially were halfway between the Mobile and the Tennessee rivers.

Dinner was Lean Cuisine, micro-waved by Chef Hopper

Sumter Landing

Moorage at Sumter Landing

Passing Captain Frank

Passing Stardust (Captain Frank et al) after leaving Bobby's Fish Camp

Day 7 – Dog River Marina to Bobby’s Fish Camp

We left Dog River Marina at 7:30 Central time this morning and proceeded up Mobile bay to the Mobile River. The confluence of the Tombigbee and the Alabama rivers form the Mobile River to the South.

Since the rivers had been up (high water) at times there was still some drift flowing. Additionally, since it was Saturday, a number of fisherman were out in small John Boats and Bass boats that we could easily swamp while making 19 plus miles per hours. Both required a lookout.

Had Dinner at their small Restaurant, a great Catfish Dinner, with slaw, hushpuppies and French fries. When Harry walked in, they said pick a table, Harry said I’ll sit at the one with the cute blonde.

Dinner at Bobby's Fish Camp

Dinner with Captain Frank, Terry and the owner of the boat rafted to us. Great Catfish slaw, hush puppies and fries!

Raft Docking at Bobby's Fish Camp

Three deep at Bobbys fish camp . . . only one dock.

Locking Through with a Tow

Our first lock through on this trip was accompanying a small tow.

Cruising on the Tombigbee

Ed and Harry piloting the Island Hopper on the Tombigbee.

Downtown Mobile

Passing through downtown Mobile

Sommelier - a necessity

Choosing ones wine can be difficult in the absence of a qualified sommelier. Harry comes highly recommended and is shown pouring a fine Chardonay.

Day 6 - Dog River Marina

Spent the day doing repairs on a few items on the boat. Re-stocked food and did laundry in anticipation for another week underway.

We will be leaving Dog River Marina in the morning, proceeding up the Tombigbee to our first stop on the river system, Bobby's Fish Camp just above the Coffeeville Lock and Dam.

Day 5 – Fort Walton to Mobile

Another day on the Intracoastal, which included some large bays as well as a couple of canals/rivers, as the winds were once again around 15-20 knots and from the Southwest. Today’s trip accounted for 104 nautical miles (120 Statute miles). Actually saw some barges and towboats operating on a canal next to Mobile Bay.

Our destination has been Dog River Marina where we will laying until Saturday to have some warranty items taken care of. Dog River Marina is well known to “Great Circle Captains” as the location in for repairs and other marine services (see http://www.dogrivermarina.com/) in this part of the world.

River levels on the Mobile river and the Tombigbee have been up, but by Saturday should be OK.

Salvation?

Kevin realized if he owned one of these, his hungry diesels would no longer be a concern. Last time I saw Kevin, he was on his cell trying to negotiate a purchase of an oil platform. I wonder if he can get a hose to reach Ohio?

Curacao?

Imagine our surprise to see these brightly colored houses reminiscent of Curacao. Actually on the canal (the inside) on Perdido Key.