Aqua Yacht Harbor, Iuka, MS to Destin Harbor, Destin, FL

October 23, 2017 - November 10, 2017

In the Wilson Lock with 22 boats
and a canoe

This is a picture the lockmaster took at the Wilson Lock on October 20, 2017 after the Wheeler Rendezvous.  There are 22 boats and a canoe that are locking through.  We received this picture after our last posting, so I am including it in this current post.

"At Last" in Florence after the AGCLA Fall Rendezvous

On Monday, October 23, 2017, we leave Aqua Yacht Harbor by 7:30 am.  A couple of miles from the marina, Dave shuts down the boat as the engine appears to be overheating.  We call our friends from Tow Boat US and the tow arrives in about an hour.  The tow boat operator is friendly, helpful and competent, and he quickly tows us back to Aqua Yacht Harbor.  Luckily, this marina has a working yard and a technician arrives to help Dave trouble shoot the problem.  It is determined that one side of the back plate to the raw water impeller on the engine's pump is worn.  It can be turned over for a quick fix or we can replace the raw water pump.  Given the fact we will be doing a 20-hour or so crossing of the Gulf soon, we take the conservative approach and decide to replace it.  The part has to be ordered.  It arrives the next day and is installed by 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 25th.  We head to the fuel dock for a pumpout and then continue on the Tombigbee Waterway.  We only travel 39 miles since we got such a late start and we spend the night at Bay Springs Marina.  We plan to head out early tomorrow as we have several locks to get through.

Thursday, October 26, 2018 

We leave the dock at 6:10 am in foggy weather.  We arrive at the Whitten Lock at 6:30 am and are allowed to enter.  However, we must wait for four other boats to arrive.  After about 45 minutes, we are all secured and we complete the lock through by 7:50 am.  Some of the boats are faster than us, but since there are three other locks fairly close together, all five boats must continue the lock throughs together.  After the Montgomery, Rankin, and Fulton Locks, the three faster boats pull ahead and we continue to travel with one other boat.  At 1:00 pm we arrive at the Wilkins Lock and are joined by two other boats.  Our lock through is quick and at 2:00 pm, we enter our last lock for the day, the Amory Lock.  Our plan is to stay the night at the Aberdeen Marina, but the channel to the marina seems a bit precarious and Dave asks the lock master for permission to anchor in the basin outside the Aberdeen Lock for the night.  We are allowed to do so and we enjoy a quiet evening with only two tows passing by us.  Today we did five locks!!

Tow exiting the Aberdeen Lock

Our anchorage was right outside the Aberdeen Lock

 
Friday, October 27, 2017

We leave our anchorage bright and early and are locked through by 7:15 am.  The weather is phenomenal with blue skies, sun reflecting on the water, and a fall-like breeze.  By 10:00 am, we arrive at the Stennis Lock.  We wait for one other boat and our lock through is completed by 10:35 am.  Our plan is to stay at Pirate's Cove Marina for the night, but the lock master informs us that marina is closed.  So we decide to look for an anchorage later in the day.  By 2:15 pm, we lock through the Bevill Lock, our final lock of the day.  There is a Visitor Center at this lock and the US Snagboat Montgomery is docked here.  She was built in 1926 in Charleston, SC, is 108' long, and she represents the culmination of steam engine technology. The Montgomery was the last steam-powered sternwheeler to ply the inland waterways of the south.  She was retired in 1982. 

US Snagboat Montgomery
Tom Bevill Visitor Center

We continue traveling for about another 20 miles.  Skipper Bob suggests an anchorage at Mile 287.3, the Cochrane Cut Off, but as Dave is carefully entering the Ox Bow, he hits bottom ever so gently, and he backs out.  We wait for a tow to pass and then try the Windham Landing Cut Off at Mile 286.  It proves to be a good anchorage with a muddy bottom.  It is a quiet anchorage with homes on the north bank.  We are in about 20 ft. of water.

During the night, we have a heavy rainstorm, but morning brings clear skies.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

We leave the anchorage by 7:00 am.  We lock through the Heflin Lock at Mile 266 by 9:30 am and continue towards Demopolis, AL.  At Mile 248.8, we pass by the White Cliffs of Epes.  These white cliffs are part of the Selma Chalk formations which were deposited at about the same time as England's famous white cliffs of Dover.  Although we are passing by them on an overcast day, they are stunning in their own way.

White Cliffs of Epes along the Tombigbee Waterway

Epes, AL

We pass the "Mr. David" as we are going by the Clffs of Epes

At Mile 217 we reach the end of the Tenn-Tom Waterway and enter the Black Warrior River as we continue to travel towards Mobile, AL.  The Black Warrior River is known for its boating and bass fishing.  In February of 2013 a world record inland striped bass weighing 69 pounds, 9 ounces was caught on the Black Warrior River.  However, there is still a lot of commercial barge traffic so we need to stay vigilant on this winding river.  There are two locks on this section of our trip, but we will not be passing through either today.  At 4:00 pm we arrive at the Demoplis Yacht Basin and check in at Kingfisher Bay Marina.  It has been a long day.  We have traveled for 10 hours and gone 96.2 SM.  Demopolis is the last town and marina until we reach Mobile.  There is also only one fuel stop, at mile 118.9, between here and Mobile.  Therefore, many Loopers stop here to stock up on provisions and spend some time relaxing before continuing to Mobile.  We recognize several fellow loopers as we pull into our slip.  After settling in, I do some much needed laundry.  We visit with other boaters, Dave orders a pizza (Isn't delivery grand?)  and then it's off to bed.

Sunday, October 29, 2017 

Several boats leave early on Sunday morning.  However, we are staying for another day in Demopolis.  After doing a few chores on the boat, Dave and I get in a three-mile walk.  By late afternoon, several other looper boats arrive.  At 4:30 pm, we attend a Captain's Meeting to discuss a plan for locking through the Demopolis Lock the next morning.  The captain of "Junipero" volunteers to coordinate with the lockmaster and keep us all informed via our VHF radios.  There are about ten boats planning to lock through.  After the meeting, docktails are served, again.  We spend time reacquainting ourselves with loopers we have previously met and chatting with loopers we are just meeting for the first time.  Then its back to the boat to organize and then its off to bed.  Tomorrow will be an early start.

Monday, October 30, 2017

We are up early.  Our first communication with "Junipero" is at about 5:30 am.  It is a foggy morning and the captain has arranged with the lockmaster to have us all lock through at about 7:30 am.  We leave our slip and enter the lock at 7:38 am.  By the time everyone is secured and locked through, it has only been about a half hour and as the doors are opened to exit, the fog has started to lift.

Foggy Morning at the Demopolis Lock

Inside the Demopolis Lock

Another lasting memory on the bollard in the lock

Leaving the Demopolis Lock

Most of the boats are heading for Bashi Creek at Mile 145 to anchor for the night.  However, it is only 2 o'clock when we pass the entrance to the creek so Dave and I decide to continue to another anchorage we have read about at Okatuppa Creek.  But when we reach the creek we realize that the famous Bobby's Fish Camp is only about five miles further.  I call the camp to ask if there is room on the dock for us.  There are already four boats on the dock...Andiamo, Resolute-(Jacques is rafted to them,) Hummingbird, and Hour Plan. "Hour Plan" contacts us to say we can raft to them.  We arrive at about 5:30 pm and A.C. and Jim help us raft up and get settled.

Bobby's Fish Camp

The restaurant is usually closed on Mondays, but because there are 13 of us, they have opened for us.  Bobby's is known for its catfish dinners which I decide to try. It is very good.  Dave has a burger which is also good and the meal is enjoyed by all.  The highlight of the night is a musical performance by Brittany, our waitress.  During our meal, they ask who the owners of "At Last" are.  We acknowledge we are and Brittany's mother-in-law tells us how much they love Etta James.  Brittany is a gospel singer and has aspirations of auditioning for "The Voice".  She sings "At Last" for us as well as another of Etta's songs "Church Bells".  We are all thoroughly entertained.  What a treat!  Even though it was a long day, 81.8 SM in 8-1/2 hours, we are so glad we decided to go to Bobby's instead of anchoring.

Brittany serenades us with "At Last" by Etta James
(video doesn't play)

After visiting with our fellow boaters, it's back to the boats for a good night's rest before our final lock through on the river system.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Happy Halloween!  We awaken to heavy fog, but by 8:00 am  Hummingbird, Jacques, Resolute, Hour Plan, and At Last leave the dock and head to the nearby Coffeeville Lock.  We are also joined by the catamaran Magic.  We enter the lock at 8:25 am and are done locking by 8:50 am.  This is our last lock southbound.  We are now nearly at sea level and from this point on, waters are tidal.  Today we are the slowest boat, so we travel by ourselves for most of the day.  Hour Plan and Resolute are a bit ahead of us.

Fishermen along the way

We are all planning to anchor at the Alabama River Cut Off at Mile 52.8.  It is an uneventful day, but the Black Warrior is a very winding river with quite a bit of commercial traffic so Dave continues to pay careful attention.  As we get closer to our intended anchorage, we realize the others have gone by it.....the plan has changed.  We are going to anchor in the Tensas River, Mile 39.3.  We arrive at 4:30 pm after traveling about 80 miles.  After getting settled, Dave puts the dinghy in the water and we have doctails with A.C. and Jim aboard "Hour Plan".  We return to our boat by 7:00 pm.  It is a beautiful anchorage.  We relax for the evening.  Tomorrow we will be in Mobile.  With every day, we are getting closer and closer to finishing our Loop. Oh no, what will we do next?

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

We leave our anchorage a bit after 8:00 am.

"Hour Plan" leaving the Tensas River Anchorage

Today we will be in Mobile.  We will finish the river system and will be crossing part of Mobile Bay.  We are back to reality....tides and salt water.  The weather is a bit chilly today or at least, I think so.

Gail, bundled up with 3 layers, gloves, and blankets

Dave, in a T-shirt!

It is a smooth trip.  At Mile 13.4, the CSX Rail Road Swing Bridge ("14 Mile Bridge") must be opened for us.  Pat, on Resolute has already notified the bridge operator and we all pass through without any problems.  Close to this railroad bridge is the Big Bayou Canot.  This is a popular anchorage, but the guide books remind us that on September 22, 1993 a tow with barges left the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway by mistake in heavy fog and entered this Canot.  The tow plowed into the railroad bridge shifting the track out of line.  Shortly thereafter an Amtrak Passenger train derailed into the Big Bayou Canot, killing 47 people.  Accounts such as this demonstrate how important it is to always pay attention to the waterway and weather conditions.  I am so lucky to have an expert captain.  We continue on our way and pass through the industrial waterway of Mobile as we head towards Mobile Bay.

Resolute and Hour Plan heading into Mobile

Mobile

We cross about 15-miles of the Bay and arrive at Turner Marine in Dog River, AL at around 3:00 pm.

Turner Marine

We dock and settle in.  At 4:00 pm, Dave and I use the courtesy car to drive to town to go to the bank and a grocery store.  When we return, we are just in time for the weekly pot luck.  Everyone brings something to share and whatever you want to grill.   We meet lots of people....some are liveaboards, others are loopers, and others are locals.  It's a good time, but we head back to the boat since it has been a long day.  We traveled 55 SM in 5 -1/2 hours.

Turner Marine

"At Last" docked at Turners

Thursday, November 2, 2017 to Tuesday, November 7, 2017 

We are staying at Turner Marine until Tuesday the 7th.  Dave is working on tuning the auto-pilot and would like to have someone else look at it with him.  Roger isn't available until Tuesday.  On Thursday, I do laundry and we do some cleaning on the boat. On Friday, we take the boat to Dog River Marina which is right next door for a pump out.

Riley reincarnated?  This is the cat at the pump out at Dog River.

In the late afternoon we walk to the Mobile Yacht Club for drinks and dinner.  We meet several interesting people and enjoy a delicious meal.

MYC

Pat and Pete from Resolute leave on Saturday morning.  A.C. and Jim are still at Turners as they are waiting to have their mast repaired.  Dave has been studying his auto-pilot manual and in the afternoon we take the boat out into the channel and Dave successfully calibrates the auto-pilot.  However, there is still another piece that he needs to adjust.  We return to our slip and once again he studies the manual.  He is successful in determining how to make the adjustments.  On Sunday, we go to MYC for brunch.  I have freshly made beignets......they are delicious....just like the ones at Cafe´du Monde in New Orleans.....or so I'm told.  Dave has eggs benedict, also excellent. 

Later in the afternoon, we take the boat out once again to make the necessary adjustments to the auto-pilot.  Success!  Dave also programs the voltage regulator.  On Monday, Dave speaks with Roger and he stops in to see if he can help Dave get the multi-function instruments to communicate with one another.  I do a final load of laundry.  We make one more run to the grocery store and provision for our next leg of the trip to Carabelle.  We also attempt to wash the boat which has gotten quite dirty from a lot of the bottom sanding that goes on in the yard.  On Monday night, we go out to dinner with A.C. and Jim at The Oyster House.  We return to the marina by 8:30 pm, say our good-byes and get ready to leave in the morning.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Once again we awaken to fog.  We finish organizing the boat and wait for the weather to clear.  We leave the dock at about 9:00 am for our trip across Mobile Bay.  The water is calm with an occasional swell.  We are now once again enjoying the dolphins that swim to our boat and play in our wake.  They are hard to capture on camera because they are so quick, but they are so much fun to watch.

Playful Dolphin

Swimming alongside "At Last"

We travel past LuLu's, the restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister, but we do not stop.

Restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister

Tacky Jack's, another restaurant along the way

We continue a few more miles and stop for the night at The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama.  It has been a short day only 13.2 miles in about 3 hours.  The Wharf is a happening place.  There is a mall with shops, restaurants, and even a ferris wheel.  I take advantage of the amenities and find a spa and have a much needed pedicure.  We have a quiet dinner on the boat and enjoy a glass of wine while taking in another amazing sunset.

The Wharf Marina

"At Last" at the Wharf Marina

Another Beautiful Sunset

Just another small boat at The Wharf Marina

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

We leave The Wharf Marine at 12:30 pm and stop at the Perdido Key Oyster Bar Restaurant & Marina at around 2:00 pm.  We are now back in the state of Florida.  "At Last" has not been in Florida since April of 2015. 

Welcome to Florida Sign

After checking in we have a late lunch/early dinner at the restaurant.  Just as we are finishing our meal, there is a torrential downpour.  It passes quickly and we head back to the boat.  It's early to bed for us both.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

We leave the dock at about 10:45 am after the dense morning fog lifts.  We have been considering finding an anchorage to see the Blue Angels show tomorrow, but as we continue on our way, we decide to skip the show.  Although it would be enjoyable, we have both seen the show several times. 

White sandy beaches along the way

We continue on the GIWW and plan to anchor at Navarre Beach.  Once again the charts do not show a lot of deep water and following the PVC pipes looks a bit challenging.  We had just passed an dock with a sign indicating slip rentals so we turn around and head back to the dock.  There is a sailboat on the T-head and we pull up behind it.  Bill, from the sailboat, comes by and takes a line.  He has his awesome boat cat, Gracie with him.  This cat jumps on everyone's boat, falls in the water and is able to get out with no problem.  She is amazing.  The dock we are at is the East River Smokehouse Restaurant and Marina.  The marina is officially still under construction, but they are allowing transients to dock.  We go to the restaurant, have dinner, pay our slip fee and then return to the boat.
This dock is a great find and when they are fully functional, it should be a popular stop for loopers.

Memorial to Marines in Navarre Park

"At Last" on T-head at the East River Smokehouse

Friday, November 10, 2017

After a 2-mile walk in the morning, we leave the dock at about 8:30 am.  We investigate stopping at Fort Walton Beach for the night, but even though the municipal dock is free, we are concerned about the water depth in the slips and staying on the T-head but prove to be a bit rocky with the boat traffic in the intracoastal, so we continue to Destin, FL.  We make our way into the harbor and select an anchorage.  During the in-season, this harbor is surely a happening place. There is a casino at Harborwalk and many restaurants and clubs.  However, cooler weather and no water taxi service seems to affect the boaters using the harbor.  There are a few other boats anchored, but there is still plenty of space for others to anchor.  In the afternoon, we take a long dinghy ride in the harbor and investigate the many canals with residential homes and lots of boats.  We return to the boat and enjoy a glass of wine on the stern.  Dave grills burgers and I make a salad.  We enjoy a quiet meal and evening.  It is a bit cool and we do not want to run the generator all night so we grab some blankets and snuggle in for the evening.

Destin Harbor