THE JOURNEYS OF TERRMAR IV: NOV 10-12,2011- SUMTER LANDING, AL TO DEMOPOLIS, AL

Another river conquered, as we left the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and started on the Warrior-Tombigbee River. We arrived in Demopolis, Alabama, supposedly the last marina stop until Mobile where we can provision and prepare for the next leg of our journey. Everything going well, catching up on office work, water tanks full, head pumped out, groceries bought and stowed – but maybe we better check on that pesky noise coming from the engine the day before. Probably nothing, but it is prudent to investigate while we are safe at a marina with service. Outwardly everything seems in order, but perhaps best to contact marina mechanic, just to be sure.

WHITE CLIFFS @ EPES

UP CLOSE

CYPRESS TREES ALONG THE TENN-TOM

FALL COLOURS

WINDING RIVER WITH BRIDGES

James arrived promptly and within minutes, after checking the engine, delivered his news. Not a big deal, the idler bearing for the main serpentine engine belt was worn and needed to be replaced. James was ready and willing to perform the task but the challenge will be to get the part shipped overnight, installed Saturday , on schedule for travel on Sunday, only a day delayed. Arrangements are made quickly.

Nothing more to be done today, might as well take some chill time and go to the local marina restaurant with looper friends Bob and Kemba aboard Spirit Dancer who are willing to wait a day before continuing south. The food (jambalaya and fried pickles) and company were great and Mark was in rare form, ready for friendly banter and lots of laughs. Seems the girls in the kitchen were ready too, especially when taking aim at their beloved football teams. Mark met his match and definitely got as good as he dished. I felt sorry for the Baptist preacher and his wife, who were not accustomed to Mark’s sense of humor (and that is all I will say about that).

Mark booked the courtesy car for 10:00 (2 hours) and Spirit Dancer graciously lent us their car time (2 hours) so we could travel to Tuscaloosa (1 hour each way), to pick up the part at Fed X. Maybe it was the Karma from the night before, but we got a hint of what the day was to bring, when arriving for the courtesy car. Mark was met by 2 “good ole ’boys” lounging in a bass fishing boat. Mark asked them if they knew where the marina employee was. “Oh, that guy had to go pull a boat off a sand bar and he told us that we was to rob you!! “ Well it will take the both of you and then some, said Mark. They looked at each other and said “Awe, well, who cares what that guy said then” and they both started laughing.

After finally getting the car we headed into Tuscaloosa, arriving in good time at the FedX office (on the way, getting an unwanted tour of Demopolis and Tuscaloosa, traveling through parts hard hit by a Tornado in April, our directions incorrectly taking us into the deep back woods). Ok, let’s grab the part and scram. Unfortunately no one gave us a tracking number for this package (we did not think to ask) and we just happened to get “miss employee who goes by the book with no exceptions”. Nothing would budge her resolve, not a phone call from the marina owner, not the Fed X customer service rep, not pleading or begging!

Finally reached mechanic James who promised us he would track down the number, not easy to do on a Saturday. Fortunately James came through and Mark retrieved the package, not a word from “Miss” except “have a good day” to which Mark replied, “and you”.

After 3 ½ hours waiting, not including traveling time we were on our way back, passing strange sculptures made of hay in the fields along the roadside. These were actually part of the Hay Museum, we just happened to stumble upon. James was true to his word and had the engine purring in no time. We really appreciated his efforts especially after we learned that he “had a strip torn out of him” by his boss for allowing us to take the courtesy car out of town. We made sure to compensate James for his troubles. I hope we are square with Karma once again. As Bob has observed, not to worry, we won’t be traveling this way again! Early to bed - tomorrow we are traveling on down the river.