Sun 6/10 to Tidewater marina, Norfolk Va sm 0
Quite a contrast, the quiet canal to the enormous waterfront activity of Norfolk. Sailed past Navy Shipyard where my father was stationed, past aircraft carriers and the atomic powered "Savannah". Norfolk is hosting tall ships. Viewed them from marina restaurant. While entering harbor, a passing sailboat, saw Chicago home port on my stern and approached, owner was from
Belmont and Central, they guided me to marina.
Sat 6.9 Southport Lock tie up sm 32
Sailed across Albermarle sound and up Pasqutank river to Dismal Swamp Canal. Had to stop in Elizabeth City for a short while, since town was holding annual power boat race on this section of the river. This made me late for last lock opening of the day, I missed it by 2minutes.
Fri 6/8 Little Aligator River anchorage sm 82
Learned from VHF, sailboat had run aground here. Big thunder and lighning storm this PM.
Somewhat uneasy, just my boat and another sailboat anchored 1/2 mi away on this big treeless sound. The other sailboat left shortly before me in the AM, tried to cut a corner, and also ran aground.
Thursday 6/7 to Dowry Creek Marina, sm132
Wed 6.6 to Oriental Marina sm 183
Tue 6/5 to Dudley's Marina, Swansboro sm 229
Mon 6/4 to Wrightsville Beach anchorage sm 283
Sunday 6/3 Georgetown to Barefoot landing sm 353
Had to stop here because bridge wouldn't open with high winds. Landing is big shopping mall
Tue 5/29 Anchorage to Georgetown S(tatute)M(ile) 403
Pix of alligator swimming past boat at anchorage.
Arrived Boat Shed Marina, owner contacted mechanics Kirk Rogers and Tommy- two good old boys who left the steel mill and have become very successfull in marine repair business. I dived under boat to remove prop zinc in order to provide clearance for inspection of shaft and coupling- bad news, boat has to be hauled. Next to the marina is a marine railway which was used to haul it.
While waiting for the haul out, I was approached by a gaunt 60yr old Englishman with full beard who had been scraping the bottom of a huge old wooden hulk asking for a light, he lived on a nice Bristol Channel Cutter anchored in the river. He was called "Mad Dog" by everyone; I never learned his name. He worked at odd jobs around the boat yard and is an alien without papers
That evening when tide was high, boat was hauled by operator of the yard containing the marine railway, Captain Ronnie who is quite an entrepeneur, running a tow boat US franchise, and a dock and marine construction business; one of his workboats was named "Podigal Son" . He talked about the days when the yard was also a fish packing plant, hence the name Fish House for the old building on the property. His son, in his 20's has a fondness for animals, so the Fish House contained a cage of orphaned mallards, an ancient English Bulldog, assorted cats, and a tribe of racoons living in the attic.
Also working in the yard was "Buster", a wiry character complete with prison tatoos.
I learned the big hulk on the adjacent large railway was a classic motor sailer designed by John Gardner and was featured as a luxury yacht in the James Bond movie "Thunderball" when It was located in Cannes, a local bar owner was attempting to restore it.
Met several other interesting people in Georgetown. I was embarassed when I approached a couple and teen aged boy outside the fish house, where some kind of gathering was taking place and asked them what the occasion was. The boy replied " a memorial service for my dad". He had been a fisherman. The man was nattily dressed in black with a white silk tie and panama hat. I later learned from Kirk and Tommy that Maxie Pope was noted for his stylish outfits, he once showed the ladies his new three piece suit, then turned around and revealed it only covered his front half, behind was only tee shirt and drawers.
Getting too late to continue with Georgetown stories. Shaft and coupling were replaced.
Mon 5/28 Charleston to Minim Creek anchorage
Ominous sounds of shaft knock. First time noticed swallows. Some bugs in calm anchorage.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
NOTE pix are at http://picasaweb.google.com/ccanavino
Sun 5/27 Nominal day of rest
Dolphins were swimming and blowing air around boat slip this am. Put on trunks and mask and inspected prop and zinc, also tightened prop shaft coupling bolts. Other boat chores, then took scheduled 2pm courtesy run to West Marine. Glad to hear from all at Lou and Va's.
Sat 5/26 Beaufort to Charlestown
Had to get early start for 7am bridge opening. Repair of main bridge has disrupted traffic, so very limited openings on alternate route bridge. Ran lightly aground in inattentive moment, but waved down a couple in trawler "Red E 2 Go", threw them a line and was hauled off in minutes. Harbor and riverfront view of Charleston was impressive. Ashley marina is pretty classy setup; courtesy vans, fancy showers etc. Since now at Intracostal mile 469, have traveled halfway to Norfolk (mile 0). Decided to celebrate by eating in restaurant for the first time this trip (she crab soup, rib eye steak).
Fri 5/25 Thunderbolt to Beaufort S.C.
Passed Bonaventure Cemetery this AM. No azealas in bloom now. Arrived in Beaufort SC in time for Gullah festival. Mostly gospel music in park next to downtown city marina. Ladies were "stylin'".
Thurs 5/24 Anchorage to Thunderbolt Marina, near Savannah Ga
Wind not so bad in AM. Was puzzled by chart notation of "degaussing range", but seeing the structure and noting the 40ft channel depth, suspect that submarines are demagnetized here. Thunderbolt is a quiet town. Saw sign for fresh shrimp as walked along waterfront, bought another pound.The marina delivered newspaper and 1/2 doz Krispy Kremes to boat in the AM
Wed 5/23 Brunswick to Cattle Pen Creek Anchorage
Tough sledding across Sapello Sound. The Georgia sea islands are separated by inlets or sounds, which are open to the Atlantic. Today a 20-30 knot wind from the East caused 4ft. waves to build down the length of the sound. I had to travel against the wind and waves for about 10 mi., and could only make 3kts at times, as the tidal currents are very strong. A shrimper was anchored off the sound, waiting out the weather. Saw a flock of pellicans feasting on a school of fish, repeatedly diving in a small area. Anchored in a beautiful spot in the marshes with a nearby grove of trees giving protection from the wind. Late in the evening, as I went on deck to "check the rudder", a splash and shark's fin in the moonlight startled me as a dolphin surfaced near the boat.
Sun 5/27 Nominal day of rest
Dolphins were swimming and blowing air around boat slip this am. Put on trunks and mask and inspected prop and zinc, also tightened prop shaft coupling bolts. Other boat chores, then took scheduled 2pm courtesy run to West Marine. Glad to hear from all at Lou and Va's.
Sat 5/26 Beaufort to Charlestown
Had to get early start for 7am bridge opening. Repair of main bridge has disrupted traffic, so very limited openings on alternate route bridge. Ran lightly aground in inattentive moment, but waved down a couple in trawler "Red E 2 Go", threw them a line and was hauled off in minutes. Harbor and riverfront view of Charleston was impressive. Ashley marina is pretty classy setup; courtesy vans, fancy showers etc. Since now at Intracostal mile 469, have traveled halfway to Norfolk (mile 0). Decided to celebrate by eating in restaurant for the first time this trip (she crab soup, rib eye steak).
Fri 5/25 Thunderbolt to Beaufort S.C.
Passed Bonaventure Cemetery this AM. No azealas in bloom now. Arrived in Beaufort SC in time for Gullah festival. Mostly gospel music in park next to downtown city marina. Ladies were "stylin'".
Thurs 5/24 Anchorage to Thunderbolt Marina, near Savannah Ga
Wind not so bad in AM. Was puzzled by chart notation of "degaussing range", but seeing the structure and noting the 40ft channel depth, suspect that submarines are demagnetized here. Thunderbolt is a quiet town. Saw sign for fresh shrimp as walked along waterfront, bought another pound.The marina delivered newspaper and 1/2 doz Krispy Kremes to boat in the AM
Wed 5/23 Brunswick to Cattle Pen Creek Anchorage
Tough sledding across Sapello Sound. The Georgia sea islands are separated by inlets or sounds, which are open to the Atlantic. Today a 20-30 knot wind from the East caused 4ft. waves to build down the length of the sound. I had to travel against the wind and waves for about 10 mi., and could only make 3kts at times, as the tidal currents are very strong. A shrimper was anchored off the sound, waiting out the weather. Saw a flock of pellicans feasting on a school of fish, repeatedly diving in a small area. Anchored in a beautiful spot in the marshes with a nearby grove of trees giving protection from the wind. Late in the evening, as I went on deck to "check the rudder", a splash and shark's fin in the moonlight startled me as a dolphin surfaced near the boat.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Tues 5/22 Fernandina to Brunswick Ga.
Fernandina reminded me of Fairhope Al. with a history. Also in it's favor are two independent bookshops downtown. "The Jekyl Island Club" by Brent Monahan is a mystery set at time of JP Morgan, Pullitzer et al. A good read for my trip, as I passed J.Is. on the way to Brunswick today.
Bought fresh shrimp last night from shop right next to marina. Very senic trip through marshland to Brunswick, another old town, with an interesting history. A couple I met at Fernandina marina recommended the stop. Went to farmer's market and bought sweet corn and cantelope, then walked about a mile to fresh seafood outlet for more shrimp. The town is layed out similar to Savannah with numerous small park squares. Convicts with craft skills from a nearby prison are used to restore buildings throughout the area. Talked to sailor from Toronto who had spent winter in Bahamas. He waited 3 weeks in Miami for fair weather to cross, the Gulf stream is very tricky.
Fernandina reminded me of Fairhope Al. with a history. Also in it's favor are two independent bookshops downtown. "The Jekyl Island Club" by Brent Monahan is a mystery set at time of JP Morgan, Pullitzer et al. A good read for my trip, as I passed J.Is. on the way to Brunswick today.
Bought fresh shrimp last night from shop right next to marina. Very senic trip through marshland to Brunswick, another old town, with an interesting history. A couple I met at Fernandina marina recommended the stop. Went to farmer's market and bought sweet corn and cantelope, then walked about a mile to fresh seafood outlet for more shrimp. The town is layed out similar to Savannah with numerous small park squares. Convicts with craft skills from a nearby prison are used to restore buildings throughout the area. Talked to sailor from Toronto who had spent winter in Bahamas. He waited 3 weeks in Miami for fair weather to cross, the Gulf stream is very tricky.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Mon. 5/21 This is my first day off (not sailing)
This is a very nice stop, lots of history (8flags) and marina is right downtown. I'm using Seattle's best wi-fi to upload this and am composing on the fly.
Sun 20. St. Augustine to Fernandina. Early this morning, a boat dog on nearby boat started barking. There were 5 manatees swiming through the anchorage.Currents are very confusing, sometimes I'm making 4knots, another time 7, all with same throttle setting. Sections of watterway are very picturesque.
Sat.19 Daytona Beach to St. Augustine D.B. lived up to it's rep. today. A fleet of cigarette boats terrorized boaters from D.B to St. Aug.and back on the Intracostal by screaming by at 50-60MPH through a busy weekend crowd. They(>25boats) were accompanied by a small hellicopter that appeared to be filming the event. Eventually at least one of the boats was stopped and ticketed.
Fri. 18 Titusville to Daytona Beach. Wind got very strong in afternoon, so decided to stop in Halifax Marina. rather than anchor. Very classy setup, not what I'd expected of D.Beach. . While on river, watched 38'power boat which had run aground after passing barge. violently free itself just as barge caught up and ram right into the side of the barge. Very amusing to sailor after all the wakes I've had to suffer. Unfortunately not a great deal of damage to the boat.
Thurs. 17 Vero to Titusville anchorage. Event of day was loud pop and cool sensation on right cheek. The "Sun" brand lighter in my back pocket exploded as I stood under the dodger, with my rear end in the sun. 12 hr run. Weather is great, but wind is right on the nose, so no sailing.
Wed 16 Riverside to Vero Beach City Marina. Left boatyard at Noon, Good sail with jibs. Very nice marina. $1.45/ft.
This is a very nice stop, lots of history (8flags) and marina is right downtown. I'm using Seattle's best wi-fi to upload this and am composing on the fly.
Sun 20. St. Augustine to Fernandina. Early this morning, a boat dog on nearby boat started barking. There were 5 manatees swiming through the anchorage.Currents are very confusing, sometimes I'm making 4knots, another time 7, all with same throttle setting. Sections of watterway are very picturesque.
Sat.19 Daytona Beach to St. Augustine D.B. lived up to it's rep. today. A fleet of cigarette boats terrorized boaters from D.B to St. Aug.and back on the Intracostal by screaming by at 50-60MPH through a busy weekend crowd. They(>25boats) were accompanied by a small hellicopter that appeared to be filming the event. Eventually at least one of the boats was stopped and ticketed.
Fri. 18 Titusville to Daytona Beach. Wind got very strong in afternoon, so decided to stop in Halifax Marina. rather than anchor. Very classy setup, not what I'd expected of D.Beach. . While on river, watched 38'power boat which had run aground after passing barge. violently free itself just as barge caught up and ram right into the side of the barge. Very amusing to sailor after all the wakes I've had to suffer. Unfortunately not a great deal of damage to the boat.
Thurs. 17 Vero to Titusville anchorage. Event of day was loud pop and cool sensation on right cheek. The "Sun" brand lighter in my back pocket exploded as I stood under the dodger, with my rear end in the sun. 12 hr run. Weather is great, but wind is right on the nose, so no sailing.
Wed 16 Riverside to Vero Beach City Marina. Left boatyard at Noon, Good sail with jibs. Very nice marina. $1.45/ft.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Sun. 2/11/07 left Joliet with Lou and Ginny
Mon Great ride. Signs of Spring south of Louisville Ky.
Arrived Mobile 4Pm. Prep'd boat, waited for charts from Marine Navigation
Fri. 2/16 Turner Marina to Fairhope Still needed to bleed fuel line, intermittent problem. Met Bayfield 25 owner, attended Mardi Gras parade, used Marina car.
Sun 2/18 Eastern Shore marina to Ingrahm Bay anchorage. Good sail in Mobile bay. Senic anchorage on ICW
Mon 2/19 Ingrahm bay to Ft. Walton Beach Marina $90/night but office closed when arrived and departed early AM Porpoises seem to wait at channel entrances to greet boats.
Tue 2/20 to Panama City, grounded approaching P.C. at dusk; towed off by Boat US. need to increase Ins. coverage since tow costs $10/ foot Great marina, right downtown. Interesting boaters at marina. Could view ourselves on live webcam
Fri 2/23 PC municipal marina to Scipio Creek Marina, Apalachicola Very senic town, good seafood in town, but Pappa Joe's mediocre
Sun 2/25 Apalachicola to Carrabelle Thousands of crab pots en route. Eventually ignored them. Development boom underway
Tues 2/27 Carrabelle to St. Marks Lots of history, from Spanish fort to Natural Bridge C.W. battlefield. Marina owner and mayor lent us Tahoe, drove to Tallahassee and Waculla Springs S.Pk, a 4star attraction. Bought Stone Crab claws off boat
Sat 3/2 St. Marks to Steinhatchee New bleeder plug. Waited a day for Gulf to calm down
Tue 3/6 Steinhatchee to Cedar Key Anchorage
Wed 3/7 to Crystal River, Pete's Pier. Swam with Manatees. Great Chineese Restaurant
Fri 3/9 Crystal River to Dunedin Municipal Marina Pleasant town, met J's friend, Narda Enander
Sun 3/11 Dunedin to Golden Gate Bay anchorage, Sarasota. Armored fuel line from engine lift pump to injector pump split, sprayed a gallon+ of diesel in engine compartment, patched with hose clamps and rigger's tape since has banjo terminations
Mon 3/12 Anchorage to Royal Palm Marina, Englewood. Borrowed Live-aboard's car
Tue 3/13 Englewood to Burnt Store Marina, Charlotte Bay. Very nice marina, 3000 acre complex. Rented car, visited Punta Gorda, Sanibel Is., Fort Meyers. Finally solved fuel problem, Racor filter manual priming pump leaking air.Verified by replacing fuel line with clear tubing and watching for bubbles. Bypassed Racor and elec lift pump for rest of trip
Fri 3/16 Burnt Store to Tarpon Bay Anchorage, Sanibel Is. Traveled through thunderstorm. Wind came up after anchoring. 4ft waves and 20+kts all night. Danforth did a good job
Sat 3/17 Sanibel Anchorage to Anchorage, Denaud . Calossahatchee river very senic. Alligator swam past boat while waiting for lock to open
Sun 3/18 Denaud to Clewiston Marina, Lake Okachobee. Lake a surreal landscape with dead trees, burning cane fields. Encounted N.Z. couple that had helped me when anchor fouled at Bayou Cannot last Fall, they were headed E,back to Canada
Mon 3/19 Clewiston to Anchorage Mile 20, St. Lucie River. Noticed exhaust was steam, raw water intake filter was clogged Talked to manatee counters while tied up in lock. Manatees lock through sometimes. Fouled anchor in big sunken truck tire at first lock. Fouled anchor in huge sunken barge fender at second lock, lifed fender along with anchor and didn't clear until locked through. Trash in waterway from hurricane?
Tue 3/20 Anchorage to Ft. Pierce Marina. St Lucie River senic with orange groves, cattle. Encountered Swedish National Rowing team practicing on river. Onto Atlantic intracostal at Stuart Brisk E. breeze on coast. While I was talking on radio to dock hand and looking for Marina entrance, current and wind set me against a channel buoy. The Ibeam cut alum. rub rail and split out a chunk of teak, but hull OK. City marina right at senic downtown. Walked across bridge to Aquarium and city museum. Visited art museum, bought used books at public library.
Thurs 3/22 Ft. Pierce Marina to Riverside Marina. Waited a day for E. wind to diminish, then moved boat 1mi.N to Riverside, a DIY boatyard. Manatees along slip. Interesting boaters and live-aboards. Preped boat for haul out. Found head of 3/8 bolt in bilge- had to drill stump for EZout on an engine mount Rented Car. J went to Indian Pow-Wow. We spent day visiting state Treasure Museum, Ft. Pierce botannic garden. Spent last night on boat in travel-lift.
Sun 3/25 Rented one-way car. Left Ft.Pierce at Noon. Visited mineral museum NW of Atlanta. Stopped for night in Tenn. Redbuds out in Mts. of Tenn and Ky. Returned to Chicago Mon PM
J's pictures are at http://picasaweb.google.com/ccanavino
Planning to drive to Ft. Pierce Sat 5/12. Intend to get to Chesapeake by middle of June and drive back to Chi. for son Mike's wedding.
Mon Great ride. Signs of Spring south of Louisville Ky.
Arrived Mobile 4Pm. Prep'd boat, waited for charts from Marine Navigation
Fri. 2/16 Turner Marina to Fairhope Still needed to bleed fuel line, intermittent problem. Met Bayfield 25 owner, attended Mardi Gras parade, used Marina car.
Sun 2/18 Eastern Shore marina to Ingrahm Bay anchorage. Good sail in Mobile bay. Senic anchorage on ICW
Mon 2/19 Ingrahm bay to Ft. Walton Beach Marina $90/night but office closed when arrived and departed early AM Porpoises seem to wait at channel entrances to greet boats.
Tue 2/20 to Panama City, grounded approaching P.C. at dusk; towed off by Boat US. need to increase Ins. coverage since tow costs $10/ foot Great marina, right downtown. Interesting boaters at marina. Could view ourselves on live webcam
Fri 2/23 PC municipal marina to Scipio Creek Marina, Apalachicola Very senic town, good seafood in town, but Pappa Joe's mediocre
Sun 2/25 Apalachicola to Carrabelle Thousands of crab pots en route. Eventually ignored them. Development boom underway
Tues 2/27 Carrabelle to St. Marks Lots of history, from Spanish fort to Natural Bridge C.W. battlefield. Marina owner and mayor lent us Tahoe, drove to Tallahassee and Waculla Springs S.Pk, a 4star attraction. Bought Stone Crab claws off boat
Sat 3/2 St. Marks to Steinhatchee New bleeder plug. Waited a day for Gulf to calm down
Tue 3/6 Steinhatchee to Cedar Key Anchorage
Wed 3/7 to Crystal River, Pete's Pier. Swam with Manatees. Great Chineese Restaurant
Fri 3/9 Crystal River to Dunedin Municipal Marina Pleasant town, met J's friend, Narda Enander
Sun 3/11 Dunedin to Golden Gate Bay anchorage, Sarasota. Armored fuel line from engine lift pump to injector pump split, sprayed a gallon+ of diesel in engine compartment, patched with hose clamps and rigger's tape since has banjo terminations
Mon 3/12 Anchorage to Royal Palm Marina, Englewood. Borrowed Live-aboard's car
Tue 3/13 Englewood to Burnt Store Marina, Charlotte Bay. Very nice marina, 3000 acre complex. Rented car, visited Punta Gorda, Sanibel Is., Fort Meyers. Finally solved fuel problem, Racor filter manual priming pump leaking air.Verified by replacing fuel line with clear tubing and watching for bubbles. Bypassed Racor and elec lift pump for rest of trip
Fri 3/16 Burnt Store to Tarpon Bay Anchorage, Sanibel Is. Traveled through thunderstorm. Wind came up after anchoring. 4ft waves and 20+kts all night. Danforth did a good job
Sat 3/17 Sanibel Anchorage to Anchorage, Denaud . Calossahatchee river very senic. Alligator swam past boat while waiting for lock to open
Sun 3/18 Denaud to Clewiston Marina, Lake Okachobee. Lake a surreal landscape with dead trees, burning cane fields. Encounted N.Z. couple that had helped me when anchor fouled at Bayou Cannot last Fall, they were headed E,back to Canada
Mon 3/19 Clewiston to Anchorage Mile 20, St. Lucie River. Noticed exhaust was steam, raw water intake filter was clogged Talked to manatee counters while tied up in lock. Manatees lock through sometimes. Fouled anchor in big sunken truck tire at first lock. Fouled anchor in huge sunken barge fender at second lock, lifed fender along with anchor and didn't clear until locked through. Trash in waterway from hurricane?
Tue 3/20 Anchorage to Ft. Pierce Marina. St Lucie River senic with orange groves, cattle. Encountered Swedish National Rowing team practicing on river. Onto Atlantic intracostal at Stuart Brisk E. breeze on coast. While I was talking on radio to dock hand and looking for Marina entrance, current and wind set me against a channel buoy. The Ibeam cut alum. rub rail and split out a chunk of teak, but hull OK. City marina right at senic downtown. Walked across bridge to Aquarium and city museum. Visited art museum, bought used books at public library.
Thurs 3/22 Ft. Pierce Marina to Riverside Marina. Waited a day for E. wind to diminish, then moved boat 1mi.N to Riverside, a DIY boatyard. Manatees along slip. Interesting boaters and live-aboards. Preped boat for haul out. Found head of 3/8 bolt in bilge- had to drill stump for EZout on an engine mount Rented Car. J went to Indian Pow-Wow. We spent day visiting state Treasure Museum, Ft. Pierce botannic garden. Spent last night on boat in travel-lift.
Sun 3/25 Rented one-way car. Left Ft.Pierce at Noon. Visited mineral museum NW of Atlanta. Stopped for night in Tenn. Redbuds out in Mts. of Tenn and Ky. Returned to Chicago Mon PM
J's pictures are at http://picasaweb.google.com/ccanavino
Planning to drive to Ft. Pierce Sat 5/12. Intend to get to Chesapeake by middle of June and drive back to Chi. for son Mike's wedding.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Sun 10/15 Alton Marina 10:00 m 203 to Hoppies Marina, Kimmswick Mo.
18:30 m 158 56mi Mel Price and Chain of Rocks locks 8.5 hrs
Washed clothes in AM .Lost fender(bought for trip) somewhere near chain of rocks lock, Missouri river joined at mile 195,although some would say Missouri is main river. St. Louis had unattractive waterfront, no place to tie up to tour Arch, no marinas in area, St.L boaters keep them at Alton. Hoppies (a string of barges along shore) has been marina since 1938, Fern Hopkins (in her 70's?) dispenses advice, helps tie up boats and runs marina.
Mon Hoppies Marina
Cold, hard rain all day, stayed at Hoppies. Met R. Mitten, owner, builder of "R Lynn". A beautifully crafted 38' cold molded wood Benford Fantail (launch?). He's from Ontonagon, Mi. and sails Lake Superior but agreed Mississippi is intimidating. He was waiting for favorable weather to travel back upriver to boatyard near St. Louis where he could haul boat and replace driveshaft.
Tue 10/17 Hoppies 10:30 to Kaskaskia lock and dam tie-up 3:30 m117
41mi 4.5 hrs (limited by available anchorages)
Walked 2mi. to grocery(got ride back).While on river, became confused by river chart, didn't realize Mississippi flows through Illinois in this area (both banks are Ill.)
Wed 10/18 Kaskaskia 9:45 anchorage Cape Girdeau, Mo. 5:45 m49
69 mi 8hrs delayed departure because of fog
"Morgan's Dream" was anchored here. Launched dinghy (pix at picasaweb.google.com\ccanavino) after invitation for dinner on live-aboards trawler. Discovered I need to learn how to row when I returned against current upstream to boat. Anchorage was in canal designed by F. Delesseps(Suez).
Thurs 10/19 Anchorage 9:50 anchorage 2:30 Cairo m 7
42mi 3.5 hrs cold, rainy again limited by anchorages in range of daylight travel
Fri Anchorage 7:30 Ft. Massiac. 6:05 Ohio mile 942
47mi 10.5hrsm0 End of upper Mississippi Ohio mile 982.
Ohio is wide, with strong current that is against me, only making 4knots. Tied up at State Park dock to shouts of "Ahoy", etc from French and Indian war re-enactors in fort on bluff above. Big reenactment week-end, smoky fires in front of tents, fife and drum music, and conversations with re-enactors made this a great stop. Ft also figured in Lewis and Clark expedition
Sat Ft. Massiac 8:00 Ky Dam St Park Marina 4:30 tenn mile 23
30mi 2dams Kentucky Lock
Locks were bypassed on Ohio and went over wicket dams. flow was so great (swirling whirlpools) that I couldn't advance until I radioed lockmaster to ask where current was least. Glad to leave Ohio and enter Tennessee at Paducah. Pleasant waterfront in old downtown section. Passed oncoming tow, while another overtaking tow passed me(2 3wide tows and sailboat abreast). Lots of towboats tied up in front of Merv Griffith's Riverfront Landing Casino. Tennessee River very easy going, senic. Got 1/2mi from Kentucky Dam and called lockmaster on VHF and he said "keep paddling upstream and I'll fit you in between two tows" I announced arrival 15 min later, since no response, continued into lock chamber which contained large tow. Got nervous about no response and exited chamber. He was busy on another channel, they don't put "pleasure craft"in large turbulent lock with tows. So he locked me through by myself. 600'x110'x57'lift=28 million gallons of the Tennesse river to float my boat. Ky Dam St Park is a showplace, ask Louis about the "Executive Cottages". Marina was holding party for slip holders so after 1st shower since Alton, dinner was free.
Sunday 10/22 Marina.
Much cooler this am than yesterday's balmy weather.Cleaned up boat for Uncle Lou and Ginny's visit. While waiting for their call, phone slipped out of pocket and was lost in 9ft of water. Lou and Ginny treated me to dinner at Patti's in Grand Rivers, then we drove through the land between the lakes to visit Ft. Henry Battlefield. Their vist was a treat.
Monday 10/23
Borrowed truck to get to Paducah and buy replacement cellphone. Couldn't resist buying Colonel Sander's chicken while in Ky. I used Captain Rick Rhodes "Cruising Guide From Lake Michigan to Kentucky Lake" and found it accurate. For the rest of the trip I am using Fred Myers' "Tennessee River Cruise Guide" and his "Tenn-Tom Cruise Guide"
Tuesday 10/24 7:30 Marina to Leatherwood Creek anchorage 5:30 m72.5
48mi 8hrs
Frost on dock this bright morning. Light NW breeze. Have to stay in channel since Lake is down 6ft from normal level and it covers building foundations etc. Good progress through senic area of land between the lakes. Good anchorage, but chilly evening.
Wed 10/25 7:00 anchorage to Perryville marina 6:00 m135
62mi 11hrs
Cloudy, not so cold. Lots of birds, Large vacation homes on East bank, although map doesn't show any roads.
Thursday 10/26 7am marina to Diamond Island anchorage 6pm m196
61mi 11hrs
Intermittent showers, current and SW breeze keep speed about 5knots. Saw bald eagle carrying fish. Odd homebuilt pocket trawler shared anchorage.Took pic of birthday feast.
Fri. 10/27 8:30 anchorage to Pickwick Landing St Park Marina 12:30 m208
12mi Pickwick lock 4hrs
Light rain but warm(60deg) saw Pittsburgh Landing from river. Weather cleared and very pleasant as locked through biggest lock on trip. Pickwick marina similar to Ky Dam marina but operated by state of Tenn. Met retired gent and his daughter in Marina. They were touring area in RV. She is captain of a whale watch boat in Seattle area. Had fish buffet at modern hotel/lodge in park.
Sat 10/28 Marina
Much Colder, but sunny. Cab driver doesn't work on week-ends so hired guide to pick me up at marina and drive 10mi. to Shiloh battlefield for 2 hour tour. Larry DeBerry arrived in Civil War uniform and provided an excellent guided tour (Sunken Road, Peach Orchard, Shiloh Church, Pittsburgh Landing, monuments). His family has lived near Shiloh since before the War Between the States. He's collected numerous artifacts and would like to build museum on his property near park entrance. . Association of the river and battelfield made this a great experience.After tour he dropped me off at grocery store. Good old boy that drove me to marina after shopping said store often delivered to tow crews. This spring a tow damaged a lock upstream on the Tennessee (not on my route) and presently there is a 1000 barge back-up,
Sun 10/29 Marina 7:20CST to Bay Springs anchorage 3pm m412
45mi 8hrs
After traveling 9 mi on the lake at Tennessee m215 I turned southbound into Yelllow Creek ,(beginning of Ten Tom mile 451), while the Tennessee continues East 400mi to Knoxville. At m444 I entered the "divide cut" , a narrow canal section that continued to m420 and Bay Springs Lake. Good anchorage just before Whitten Lock and Dam. The Ten-Tom and Lower Black Warrior-Tombigbee waterway charts are much less informative than Ill,Mississippi, and Tennessee charts- no depths or lat-longitude. Their only benefits are in finding possible anchorages and place names to identify position to tows.
Mon 10/30 anchorage 7am to Wilkins Lock anchorage 5pm m376
36mi 4 locks 10hrs
Not too much barge traffic, lockmasters seem to stage pleasure boats, making early boats wait untill slower boats (me) catch up. The locks on the Ten-tom are very easy to handle, since they all have floating bollards. Anchored in embayment just in front of Wilkins Lock.
Tues 10/31 anchorage 6:30 to Waverley anchorage 4:30 m338
38mi 3 locks 10hrs
Longer waits at locks today. Solved problem of burping when fueling. Tank vent was plugged by wasp or spider nest. Had to run wire from inside aft lazarette through through-hull fitting to clear. Getting acquainted with some boaters since we spend time together waiting to lock through. Wanted to visit Waverly mansion 1/2 mi away but too late.
Wed 11/1 anchorage 6:20 Sumter Landing anchorage 6:30 m271
67mi 2 locks 12hrs
Out early, warm and sunny. Stopped at Bevil visitor center. Big snag boat and reproduction southern mansion with antique furnishings. Pushed too hard and anchored in dark in thunderstorm although there were not any earlier alternate anchorages after m287. Made good time since current was apparently assisting.
Thurs 11/2 anchorage 6:30 Demopolis Marina 2:30 m216
55mi 1 lock 8hrs
Clearing and colder. Entered Heflin lock alone,apparently at shift change. After locking down a long pause before 1 downstream gate opened. Called on radio to see if ok to proceed since no whistle. New lockmaster forgot to open 2nd gate. Glad to get to Demopolis Marina. Tricky maneuveing to get into slip with crowd of boaters/idlers watching, was lucky and got in without incident or difficulty.Showered. Interesting older marina although construction equipment nearby is working on new facility. Some live aboards spend winter here, summer up Tennessee. Some stay here to avoid hurricane season on coast. Talked to several boaters, group of 4 Canadian sailboats had trouble getting over dams on Ohio, 1 faster boat had to tow other 3. 2 Kiwi couples traveling in 28' power boat would help me out later in Bayou Canot. Talked to crewmember of Michigan dredge that was headed to New Orleans after job on Tennessee.Steak dinner at marina restaurant
Friday 11/3 Demopolis Marina
Borrowed car for groceries and hardware. washed clothes. Mediocre catfish dinner at marina restaurant.Interesting town settled by French emigres.
Sat 11/4 Demopolis 7am to Bashi Creek anchorage 5pm m145
71mi 1 lock 10hrs
Made good time. Circle cruisers from N. Carolina on " Miss Liberty" and I were invited to dinner on Canadian couples power boat "Triumph" . Good convesation about cruising etc..
Sun 11/5 anchorage 7am to Bobby's fish camp dock 11am m119
26mi 1 lock
Warm and sunny. Fuel dock was full, so rafted onto Triumph. was persuaded to stay overnite. Bobbys deservedly famous for catfish dinners. Met other circle boaters.enjoyed slow pace.
Mon 11/6 Bobby's 8am to anchorage 6:30 m66
53mi 1 lock
Started early to get in position for last lock at Coffeeville but we had to wait for upriver tow.Barely on river when classic symptoms of clogged fuel filter appeared. This was first engine problem since loss of alternater when moving boat from Charlevoix. Since dam was 3mi ahead I limped into lock and rafted onto Triumph, since lock was full of pleasure boats. Skipper was diesel mechanic so he guided me through my first fuel filter change.Filter and bowl were coated with brown slime (bacteria?) Continued to tow me for about a mile untill I had bled fuel lines and could start engine. Boat ran great for an hour then began loping (revs varied up and down). Eventually figured I had to bleed lines again. Continued to bleed while engine running, although this part of river had few straight stretches and I couldn't leave on autopilot for more than 20 seconds at a time.Was trying to reach anchorage at mile 64 but was getting dark when thunderstorm reduced visibility to a few yards forward, Difficult to hold spotlight and binoculars in downpour to see mile markers to navigate by dead reconing. Decided too dangerous to continue, so anchored in river out of channel. Spent uneasy night although I never saw or heard barge traffic. It took a combination of long wait at lock, engine trouble, and thunderstorm to get caught in this situation otherwise I would have made anchorage.
Tue 11/7 anchorage6:20 to Big Bayou Canot anchorage 3pm m17
49mi
Early start, clear andwarm, but every 3 hours or so would have to bleed fuel line. May be because bleeder screw was stripped in the excitement of previous day.Was (unrealistically) planning to make long haul through Mobile and 15mi on Bay to Dog River. Was chatting with "Happy Clam" a circle cruiser about his plans for anchorage at Big Bayou Canot and realized I was too optimistic. Passed I65 bridge, known as Dolly Parton Bridge. Bayou Canot is narrow, picturesque river. Hard to believe a couple of years ago an upstream tow missed turn on river and went 5mi up bayou untill he crashed into railroad bridge. Six or seven boats were anchored in the river. I set 2 bow and 1 stern anchor since flow of river could be opposed by tide. Went with couple from Triumph in their dinghy upriver where we saw very large, very dead alligator caught on branches in the river.
Wed 11/8 anchorage 9am to Dog River Marina
Fine day. Planned earlier start, but when I tried to raise best anchor (chrome plated bruce style) it was snagged at 60 ft mark, although river is 17ft deep.I tried to swing boat around but was hamperd by narrow river and current. Kiwi tried to help by towing boat with his dinghy, but no luck. I changed into swim trunks and decided to follow line down to snag. Forgot how ears hurt if you don't clear them as you descend. Spent about 3 seconds on bottom but could feel line caught under huge log on bottom. As I was standing on deck recovering from the dive and puzzling over whether the $400 anchor was worh an ear infection or alligator bite, a fisherman came by in a skiff. He realized my predicament and asked if he could help. By slacking about 100 ft of line he swung a large 180 arc low to the water, after about 2 minutes he handed line back to me and prepared to leave. As I hauled on line and passed the 60 foot mark, I realized he had releaed line from snag. As I traveled through Mobile, I was impressed by all the port activity and the large freighters and container ships. After a month of traveling on the rivers, the openness of Mobile Bay was refreshing. Passed big freighters in the relativley narrow buoyed channel .When departing the main channel, to head for Dog River, "Pointless" a boat I met on the Illinois called me on the VHF as they headed for Fairhope on the East side of the Bay. Arrived at Dog River Marina where I learned Triumphs first mate had also been diving today, after falling off the dock while tying up the boat.
Thurs.11/9
fine day. moved 500yds from Dog river marina to Turner Marine Supply where I will stay and have boat hauled. Went with triumph and miss liberty couples in marina car for breakfast, wall-mart and west marine Met lots of live aboards, cruisers headed for fla and the bahamas. Dock party for one of the circle cruisers and marina owner sent gallons of shrimp.
Fri 11/10
cleaned up boat, arranged for pick-up by hertz to get rental car tomorrow. enjoyed sitting in cockpit watching sunset and mullet jumping
Sat 11/11
Hertz driver picked me up and got car at local office. returned to boat and loaded car with clothes, food tools books and junk . While I took a crate of books to read on the trip, the only one I finished was Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" Went to great "boiling pot" fast food shrimp place for lunch and left for Chicago at 2pm
Sun 11/12 Arrived Chicago.
After a month of 6 knot days and 1200 miles on the rivers, 900 miles in car was trivial.While I'm glad to get back to dear wife, Joyce, and family, I'm looking forward to returning to boat and heading to Fla. in early Feb.
18:30 m 158 56mi Mel Price and Chain of Rocks locks 8.5 hrs
Washed clothes in AM .Lost fender(bought for trip) somewhere near chain of rocks lock, Missouri river joined at mile 195,although some would say Missouri is main river. St. Louis had unattractive waterfront, no place to tie up to tour Arch, no marinas in area, St.L boaters keep them at Alton. Hoppies (a string of barges along shore) has been marina since 1938, Fern Hopkins (in her 70's?) dispenses advice, helps tie up boats and runs marina.
Mon Hoppies Marina
Cold, hard rain all day, stayed at Hoppies. Met R. Mitten, owner, builder of "R Lynn". A beautifully crafted 38' cold molded wood Benford Fantail (launch?). He's from Ontonagon, Mi. and sails Lake Superior but agreed Mississippi is intimidating. He was waiting for favorable weather to travel back upriver to boatyard near St. Louis where he could haul boat and replace driveshaft.
Tue 10/17 Hoppies 10:30 to Kaskaskia lock and dam tie-up 3:30 m117
41mi 4.5 hrs (limited by available anchorages)
Walked 2mi. to grocery(got ride back).While on river, became confused by river chart, didn't realize Mississippi flows through Illinois in this area (both banks are Ill.)
Wed 10/18 Kaskaskia 9:45 anchorage Cape Girdeau, Mo. 5:45 m49
69 mi 8hrs delayed departure because of fog
"Morgan's Dream" was anchored here. Launched dinghy (pix at picasaweb.google.com\ccanavino) after invitation for dinner on live-aboards trawler. Discovered I need to learn how to row when I returned against current upstream to boat. Anchorage was in canal designed by F. Delesseps(Suez).
Thurs 10/19 Anchorage 9:50 anchorage 2:30 Cairo m 7
42mi 3.5 hrs cold, rainy again limited by anchorages in range of daylight travel
Fri Anchorage 7:30 Ft. Massiac. 6:05 Ohio mile 942
47mi 10.5hrsm0 End of upper Mississippi Ohio mile 982.
Ohio is wide, with strong current that is against me, only making 4knots. Tied up at State Park dock to shouts of "Ahoy", etc from French and Indian war re-enactors in fort on bluff above. Big reenactment week-end, smoky fires in front of tents, fife and drum music, and conversations with re-enactors made this a great stop. Ft also figured in Lewis and Clark expedition
Sat Ft. Massiac 8:00 Ky Dam St Park Marina 4:30 tenn mile 23
30mi 2dams Kentucky Lock
Locks were bypassed on Ohio and went over wicket dams. flow was so great (swirling whirlpools) that I couldn't advance until I radioed lockmaster to ask where current was least. Glad to leave Ohio and enter Tennessee at Paducah. Pleasant waterfront in old downtown section. Passed oncoming tow, while another overtaking tow passed me(2 3wide tows and sailboat abreast). Lots of towboats tied up in front of Merv Griffith's Riverfront Landing Casino. Tennessee River very easy going, senic. Got 1/2mi from Kentucky Dam and called lockmaster on VHF and he said "keep paddling upstream and I'll fit you in between two tows" I announced arrival 15 min later, since no response, continued into lock chamber which contained large tow. Got nervous about no response and exited chamber. He was busy on another channel, they don't put "pleasure craft"in large turbulent lock with tows. So he locked me through by myself. 600'x110'x57'lift=28 million gallons of the Tennesse river to float my boat. Ky Dam St Park is a showplace, ask Louis about the "Executive Cottages". Marina was holding party for slip holders so after 1st shower since Alton, dinner was free.
Sunday 10/22 Marina.
Much cooler this am than yesterday's balmy weather.Cleaned up boat for Uncle Lou and Ginny's visit. While waiting for their call, phone slipped out of pocket and was lost in 9ft of water. Lou and Ginny treated me to dinner at Patti's in Grand Rivers, then we drove through the land between the lakes to visit Ft. Henry Battlefield. Their vist was a treat.
Monday 10/23
Borrowed truck to get to Paducah and buy replacement cellphone. Couldn't resist buying Colonel Sander's chicken while in Ky. I used Captain Rick Rhodes "Cruising Guide From Lake Michigan to Kentucky Lake" and found it accurate. For the rest of the trip I am using Fred Myers' "Tennessee River Cruise Guide" and his "Tenn-Tom Cruise Guide"
Tuesday 10/24 7:30 Marina to Leatherwood Creek anchorage 5:30 m72.5
48mi 8hrs
Frost on dock this bright morning. Light NW breeze. Have to stay in channel since Lake is down 6ft from normal level and it covers building foundations etc. Good progress through senic area of land between the lakes. Good anchorage, but chilly evening.
Wed 10/25 7:00 anchorage to Perryville marina 6:00 m135
62mi 11hrs
Cloudy, not so cold. Lots of birds, Large vacation homes on East bank, although map doesn't show any roads.
Thursday 10/26 7am marina to Diamond Island anchorage 6pm m196
61mi 11hrs
Intermittent showers, current and SW breeze keep speed about 5knots. Saw bald eagle carrying fish. Odd homebuilt pocket trawler shared anchorage.Took pic of birthday feast.
Fri. 10/27 8:30 anchorage to Pickwick Landing St Park Marina 12:30 m208
12mi Pickwick lock 4hrs
Light rain but warm(60deg) saw Pittsburgh Landing from river. Weather cleared and very pleasant as locked through biggest lock on trip. Pickwick marina similar to Ky Dam marina but operated by state of Tenn. Met retired gent and his daughter in Marina. They were touring area in RV. She is captain of a whale watch boat in Seattle area. Had fish buffet at modern hotel/lodge in park.
Sat 10/28 Marina
Much Colder, but sunny. Cab driver doesn't work on week-ends so hired guide to pick me up at marina and drive 10mi. to Shiloh battlefield for 2 hour tour. Larry DeBerry arrived in Civil War uniform and provided an excellent guided tour (Sunken Road, Peach Orchard, Shiloh Church, Pittsburgh Landing, monuments). His family has lived near Shiloh since before the War Between the States. He's collected numerous artifacts and would like to build museum on his property near park entrance. . Association of the river and battelfield made this a great experience.After tour he dropped me off at grocery store. Good old boy that drove me to marina after shopping said store often delivered to tow crews. This spring a tow damaged a lock upstream on the Tennessee (not on my route) and presently there is a 1000 barge back-up,
Sun 10/29 Marina 7:20CST to Bay Springs anchorage 3pm m412
45mi 8hrs
After traveling 9 mi on the lake at Tennessee m215 I turned southbound into Yelllow Creek ,(beginning of Ten Tom mile 451), while the Tennessee continues East 400mi to Knoxville. At m444 I entered the "divide cut" , a narrow canal section that continued to m420 and Bay Springs Lake. Good anchorage just before Whitten Lock and Dam. The Ten-Tom and Lower Black Warrior-Tombigbee waterway charts are much less informative than Ill,Mississippi, and Tennessee charts- no depths or lat-longitude. Their only benefits are in finding possible anchorages and place names to identify position to tows.
Mon 10/30 anchorage 7am to Wilkins Lock anchorage 5pm m376
36mi 4 locks 10hrs
Not too much barge traffic, lockmasters seem to stage pleasure boats, making early boats wait untill slower boats (me) catch up. The locks on the Ten-tom are very easy to handle, since they all have floating bollards. Anchored in embayment just in front of Wilkins Lock.
Tues 10/31 anchorage 6:30 to Waverley anchorage 4:30 m338
38mi 3 locks 10hrs
Longer waits at locks today. Solved problem of burping when fueling. Tank vent was plugged by wasp or spider nest. Had to run wire from inside aft lazarette through through-hull fitting to clear. Getting acquainted with some boaters since we spend time together waiting to lock through. Wanted to visit Waverly mansion 1/2 mi away but too late.
Wed 11/1 anchorage 6:20 Sumter Landing anchorage 6:30 m271
67mi 2 locks 12hrs
Out early, warm and sunny. Stopped at Bevil visitor center. Big snag boat and reproduction southern mansion with antique furnishings. Pushed too hard and anchored in dark in thunderstorm although there were not any earlier alternate anchorages after m287. Made good time since current was apparently assisting.
Thurs 11/2 anchorage 6:30 Demopolis Marina 2:30 m216
55mi 1 lock 8hrs
Clearing and colder. Entered Heflin lock alone,apparently at shift change. After locking down a long pause before 1 downstream gate opened. Called on radio to see if ok to proceed since no whistle. New lockmaster forgot to open 2nd gate. Glad to get to Demopolis Marina. Tricky maneuveing to get into slip with crowd of boaters/idlers watching, was lucky and got in without incident or difficulty.Showered. Interesting older marina although construction equipment nearby is working on new facility. Some live aboards spend winter here, summer up Tennessee. Some stay here to avoid hurricane season on coast. Talked to several boaters, group of 4 Canadian sailboats had trouble getting over dams on Ohio, 1 faster boat had to tow other 3. 2 Kiwi couples traveling in 28' power boat would help me out later in Bayou Canot. Talked to crewmember of Michigan dredge that was headed to New Orleans after job on Tennessee.Steak dinner at marina restaurant
Friday 11/3 Demopolis Marina
Borrowed car for groceries and hardware. washed clothes. Mediocre catfish dinner at marina restaurant.Interesting town settled by French emigres.
Sat 11/4 Demopolis 7am to Bashi Creek anchorage 5pm m145
71mi 1 lock 10hrs
Made good time. Circle cruisers from N. Carolina on " Miss Liberty" and I were invited to dinner on Canadian couples power boat "Triumph" . Good convesation about cruising etc..
Sun 11/5 anchorage 7am to Bobby's fish camp dock 11am m119
26mi 1 lock
Warm and sunny. Fuel dock was full, so rafted onto Triumph. was persuaded to stay overnite. Bobbys deservedly famous for catfish dinners. Met other circle boaters.enjoyed slow pace.
Mon 11/6 Bobby's 8am to anchorage 6:30 m66
53mi 1 lock
Started early to get in position for last lock at Coffeeville but we had to wait for upriver tow.Barely on river when classic symptoms of clogged fuel filter appeared. This was first engine problem since loss of alternater when moving boat from Charlevoix. Since dam was 3mi ahead I limped into lock and rafted onto Triumph, since lock was full of pleasure boats. Skipper was diesel mechanic so he guided me through my first fuel filter change.Filter and bowl were coated with brown slime (bacteria?) Continued to tow me for about a mile untill I had bled fuel lines and could start engine. Boat ran great for an hour then began loping (revs varied up and down). Eventually figured I had to bleed lines again. Continued to bleed while engine running, although this part of river had few straight stretches and I couldn't leave on autopilot for more than 20 seconds at a time.Was trying to reach anchorage at mile 64 but was getting dark when thunderstorm reduced visibility to a few yards forward, Difficult to hold spotlight and binoculars in downpour to see mile markers to navigate by dead reconing. Decided too dangerous to continue, so anchored in river out of channel. Spent uneasy night although I never saw or heard barge traffic. It took a combination of long wait at lock, engine trouble, and thunderstorm to get caught in this situation otherwise I would have made anchorage.
Tue 11/7 anchorage6:20 to Big Bayou Canot anchorage 3pm m17
49mi
Early start, clear andwarm, but every 3 hours or so would have to bleed fuel line. May be because bleeder screw was stripped in the excitement of previous day.Was (unrealistically) planning to make long haul through Mobile and 15mi on Bay to Dog River. Was chatting with "Happy Clam" a circle cruiser about his plans for anchorage at Big Bayou Canot and realized I was too optimistic. Passed I65 bridge, known as Dolly Parton Bridge. Bayou Canot is narrow, picturesque river. Hard to believe a couple of years ago an upstream tow missed turn on river and went 5mi up bayou untill he crashed into railroad bridge. Six or seven boats were anchored in the river. I set 2 bow and 1 stern anchor since flow of river could be opposed by tide. Went with couple from Triumph in their dinghy upriver where we saw very large, very dead alligator caught on branches in the river.
Wed 11/8 anchorage 9am to Dog River Marina
Fine day. Planned earlier start, but when I tried to raise best anchor (chrome plated bruce style) it was snagged at 60 ft mark, although river is 17ft deep.I tried to swing boat around but was hamperd by narrow river and current. Kiwi tried to help by towing boat with his dinghy, but no luck. I changed into swim trunks and decided to follow line down to snag. Forgot how ears hurt if you don't clear them as you descend. Spent about 3 seconds on bottom but could feel line caught under huge log on bottom. As I was standing on deck recovering from the dive and puzzling over whether the $400 anchor was worh an ear infection or alligator bite, a fisherman came by in a skiff. He realized my predicament and asked if he could help. By slacking about 100 ft of line he swung a large 180 arc low to the water, after about 2 minutes he handed line back to me and prepared to leave. As I hauled on line and passed the 60 foot mark, I realized he had releaed line from snag. As I traveled through Mobile, I was impressed by all the port activity and the large freighters and container ships. After a month of traveling on the rivers, the openness of Mobile Bay was refreshing. Passed big freighters in the relativley narrow buoyed channel .When departing the main channel, to head for Dog River, "Pointless" a boat I met on the Illinois called me on the VHF as they headed for Fairhope on the East side of the Bay. Arrived at Dog River Marina where I learned Triumphs first mate had also been diving today, after falling off the dock while tying up the boat.
Thurs.11/9
fine day. moved 500yds from Dog river marina to Turner Marine Supply where I will stay and have boat hauled. Went with triumph and miss liberty couples in marina car for breakfast, wall-mart and west marine Met lots of live aboards, cruisers headed for fla and the bahamas. Dock party for one of the circle cruisers and marina owner sent gallons of shrimp.
Fri 11/10
cleaned up boat, arranged for pick-up by hertz to get rental car tomorrow. enjoyed sitting in cockpit watching sunset and mullet jumping
Sat 11/11
Hertz driver picked me up and got car at local office. returned to boat and loaded car with clothes, food tools books and junk . While I took a crate of books to read on the trip, the only one I finished was Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" Went to great "boiling pot" fast food shrimp place for lunch and left for Chicago at 2pm
Sun 11/12 Arrived Chicago.
After a month of 6 knot days and 1200 miles on the rivers, 900 miles in car was trivial.While I'm glad to get back to dear wife, Joyce, and family, I'm looking forward to returning to boat and heading to Fla. in early Feb.
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