Bravo! Adventure
December 5
Mile 216 Demopolis Marina
After breakfast Jules and Doug headed over to check out the barbecue area. I
wanted to work on getting the log out, so I went the other direction to the
office. When we reunited on the boat, it was well past 9:00 AM and we moved
out right away. They soon were relating their experiences at the barbecue cook-off.
A conversation with a couple good ol' boys "right out of Deliverance",
according to Jules, revealed that there used to be over a thousand stills along
the Tombigbee in the fifty miles north of Demopolis. One of them said that he
ran one of the stills. This was in the mid fifties and he had just returned
from military service, had a family to feed, and couldn't find other work. The
other said he doesn't run one but his pappy does. Jules and Doug got samples
of pork sausage (best Jules ever had) and took some pictures before getting
back to Bravo!.
Jules and Friends
Mile 213 Demopolis Lock
When we approached the Demopolis Lock and Dam, just a few miles down from the
marina, we learned that a barge was entering the other end and that it would
be a little while until we'd we able to enter. Then there was also a barge coming
behind us and the commercial traffic gets first priority, although we should
be able to go down together. Then things started to get interesting. The towboat
Chippewa reported difficulty in leaving the lock, coming out toward us, because
one of the upper gates didn't stay open and a Chippewa barge snagged it, bringing
the Chippewa to an abrupt halt. We were far enough back that we couldn't see
very well what was happening, but could hear the radio exchanges. The lock operator
asked for the license number and other information on the pilot and towboat,
because an incident report would need to be filed. We were starting to think
that we might see Christmas on the River after all, if the lock were damaged
beyond use.
We throttled back and cruised the area, awaiting information. Then we saw the Chippewa pulling out and the lock gates closed. Several people were immediately out on the walk on the top of the gate, apparently inspecting for damage. This went on for some time and then the southbound barge asked what to expect and was told that they were filling the lock and to move ahead to prepare for entry. We had positioned behind that towboat and were told to expect to enter on the port (left) side of the barge after it was secured on the right side of the lock. As we entered the lock we could see the spray from the acetylene torch as workers were doing some kind of repairs.
Repairing Dempolois Lock Gate
So the prospect of Christmas on the River faded with the closing gate behind us. While we were descending, a worker appeared above us to apologize for the delay and explained that a pin that was supposed to hold the gate open failed to seat properly and allowed the gate to move out from the wall and contact the exiting barge.
Doug has fairly sophisticated navigational instrumentation. There is a depth sounder, GPS (global positioning system), and radar. He also can connect his Mac, that has the chart files, to the GPS so that his Mac has a moving chart with Bravo! shown in the center. On the screenshot below can be seen the image of Bravo! (in the circle), the MILE 125 point, the arrow showing direction of flow, and the TR (triangle red) 124.9 mile marker.
We are starting to see Spanish moss. Fred Myers' Tenn-Tom Nitty Gritty Cruise Guide offer this little tidbit on Spanish moss. It is neither moss nor a parasite, but is a member of the pineapple family and survives by absorbing moisture from the air.
Mile 145
Our distination today is Bashi Creek. This is a small creek off our port side.
We've come 71 miles and it's 4:50 PM, so not quite as dark as our arrival at
the anchorage two nights ago. Actually, we have a glorious sunset to the west,
suggesting the possibility of clearing for tomorrow.
Sunset approaching Bashi Creek anchorage
When we arrive we find catamaran Riki, out of Traverse City, Michigan, already anchored, but far enough upstream that there's plenty of room for us. Here we need to use two anchors, one bow and one stern. The creek has a little current entering the waterway, so the first thought is to anchor with bow upstream. However, the cat pilot radios and says that there is an opposing light wind that is forecast to pick up, so we elect to turn around for the anchorage. The electric bow thruster makes this a relatively easy task.
After setting the bow anchor, and backing upstream to let out the chain and line, the stern anchor is thrown out. But a few attempts at this are unsuccessful. It isn't setting. So we carry the secondary bow anchor to the stern and that works. A small skiff comes by with a couple local guys who must have been hunting or fishing up the creek.
Dinner is spaghetti with the sauce that Elaine had prepared for us. During and after dinner I was entertained by Doug's and Jules' stories of the adventures of their lives in Manitoba, involving all sorts of outside activity in temperatures ranging from very hot to -40. My life has been dull and boring by comparison. Doug taught us to play high stakes 31, which Jules won, and then we hit the bunks.