THE JOURNEYS OF TERRMAR IV: NOV 13-14,2011- DEMOPOLIS, AL TO BASHI CREEK, AL TO THREE RIVERS LAKE, AL.

OUR PLAN

We are writing this blog for one reason and one reason only. To provide a vehicle to make it easier to remain in touch with our family and friends back home.

Our plan is simple. Depart our home port of Goderich, Ontario in the Summer of 2011. Cruise Georgian Bay and the North Channel of Lake Huron while visiting some of the ports and anchorages we have missed over the years. As well as revisiting some of our favourite haunts hopefully with some of our very good friends with whom we have cruised with many times before. All the while adding up the miles and gaining experience with our new trawler. Our first and only self imposed deadline is to be in the Chicago area around Labour Day. South of Chicago, weather and circumstances will guide us!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

NOV 13-14,2011- DEMOPOLIS, AL TO BASHI CREEK, AL TO THREE RIVERS LAKE, AL.

DEPARTING DEMOPOLIS

It was an early departure from Demopolis, AL with Spirit Dancer leading, down river to the Demopolis Lock and Dam. The plan was to coordinate with other boats going in the same direction, all arriving for a lock down together. Plan proceeding, all boats tied securely to the lock wall, doors were closing, great! Then we hear a radio call to the lock master pleading from a straggler boat requesting a hold on locking down until he could arrive. Best laid plans…..

An extra half hour wait and off we went down the beautiful, serpentine section of the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway. Commercial traffic light, but we did spot an interesting homemade river raft made with plastic water bottles for floats.

RIVER BENDS ON THE CHART PLOTTER

SAILING RIVER RAFT

SLANTY SHANTY

We were warned that this part of the river can be challenging because parts are narrow, lots of twists and turns and very few safe places to stop. It was helpful to listen to advice from those gone before us and especially fortunate travelling with Spirit Dancer who had previously experienced this part of the Great Loop.

Terrmar and Spirit Dancer settled at anchorage late afternoon at Bashi Creek and luckily both boats managed to squeeze in. The river raft “Slanty Shanty” showed up at the same anchorage wanting to collect on a promise made previously by Mark. Mark forked over $20 and a couple beers for pictures taken of their vessel while passing them previously. Was interesting chatting with the young couple and wished them luck.

SPIRIT DANCER ANCHORED IN BASHI CREEK

TERRMAR CHATTING WITH SLANTY SHANTY COUPLE

SLANTY SHANTY COUPLE COLLECTING ON PROMISE

MARK CHECKING DEPTHS IN BASHI CREEK

APPEARS WE HAD PROTECTION AT BASHI CREEK

Again an early morning rise, enjoying the amazing scenery in all its autumn glory! Finally locking down at Cofeeville Lock and Dam, the last lock on the rivers from Chicago, IL to Mobile,AL. From this point south we will have brackish water and tidal challenges. After a long day, we entered our anchorage at Three Rivers Lake, a quiet peaceful respite with Spirit Dancer.