The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Yesterday when we arrived at Pirate's Marina Cove I was anxious to visit the Tom Beville Visitors Center, which is right next door. But it was Monday...and it was closed! We were also disappointed when we were told  that we would not get any TV stations without satellite. Well, luckily, I decided to let the TV search for channels....and we pulled in lots of channels, including all three major networks! That was good!

We left at 7 am today and headed for the next lock, about a mile away. All went well, until a surprise greeted us as the front gates were opened. FOG was rising from the warm water. The visibility was BAD for about an hour, but luckily no tows came along. Not yet at least...it was a little later that a "six-pack" met us at a narrow curve. I actually think he was pushing seven barges. We moved to the right as instructed, but then the tug had to kick its stern towards us to direct the barges the opposite way. We were only 30 feet from shore, showing a depth of 13 feet, and less than 30 feet  from the barge! It was ugly! I was quite nervous, but Don was very relaxed. He said we had plenty of room! That was good!

Today's scenery was much more interesting. There were many small cottages and fishing camps along the shore. We followed a hawk down the river, but his cruising speed was twice ours! And another deer swam in front of us. It was a fawn. In fact, we would have hit it if we hadn't slowed down. We also passed the white cliffs of Epes. That was good!

We met more tugs today than any other day, but only the "six-pack" was a problem. During a straight stretch Don went down below for a shower, and I was alone at the helm. So naturally a tug came along, but the river was wide and straight and I had no          problem at all. That was good!

We covered 91 miles and two locks, arriving at Demopolis Yacht Basin at 1:10. It is the only marina in the 91 mile stretch we covered today, and the last marina for the 216 miles to Mobile Bay! We will be leaving civilization tomorrow, anchoring out two nights probably, and arriving at Homeport Marina on the Gulf Intracoastal Friday for supper. But that depends on what conditions will be like on Mobile Bay. Our plans could change. I don't expect to have wi-fi until Friday evening.

All the slips are full here at Demopolis, but we were allowed to stay on the fuel dock.  Many people from the Panhandle brought their boats here to avoid the oil spill, and they are not going back until November.

As we were approaching the fuel dock, our stern line fell in the water and wrapped around our prop!!! In all the years I have been boating, I have never let that happen! I never even saw the line go in. That was bad! Life has a way of keeping us humble. 

But at least it didn't happen in one of the locks, or when we were in a remote place. That was good! The dockhand, Keith, was so nice and supportive. Don quietly said to him that since I was responsible that maybe I should go in the water and unwrap it. Keith said, "Oh, you wouldn't let your wife do that!" That was good! So Don went in the 80 degree water and released the line. The water was so murky that he had to do it all by feel since he couldn't see a thing even with his mask on. Then it was time for shower number two!!!

A mechanic fixed our dinghy engine...cost was $19. That was good! And the duct tape over the drain plug has fixed 90% of the leakage! The goods are definitely in the lead!

 Here is Kate sleeping in the helmseat on the flybridge, next to Don, with her head on the armrest.

Our "girls" seem to make it through the good, the bad, and the ugly with such an even disposition and calmness, trusting in their masters, and adapting well to all situations EXCEPT for fireworks and thunderstorms! We all can't be perfect!