As the rendezvous concluded, we traveled back down the Tennessee River to the Tenn-Thom River and Aqua Marine where we reconnected with Panda Bear. We had several other loopers traveling with us as well including Tom and Jane Frawley on Elizabear with their dog Gus. Tom and Jane were next to us at the marina during the rendezvous. Along the way, we revisited Florence, AL where we restocked groceries. While transferring the groceries from the infamous courtesy van to the boat, it started to rain. A black gentleman had been fishing near our boat. After picking up his fishing gear and putting it into his very nice truck, he came and offered to help load our groceries. I was so surprised. He wanted nothing other than to help us in the rain. In the mean time, the rains quit, the groceries were transferred and Marv went to return the van. As he did, I started visiting with this man. He told me a lot about growing up in the area full of music history. I spotted some people in white robes not far away on the river beach. I was alarmed. I asked him about the problems with the racism in the area. After me being a bumbling fool for several minutes, he realized I thought these people were KKK. They were a religious group doing a baptism in the river. He assured me that they never had trouble with the Klan in this area. I was greatly relieved. In my ignorance, I was ready to leave port immediately.
 |
Early Morning Departure from Aqua Marine
|
We had chosen Aqua Marine over Grand Marina, because we read in their advertising that they had a dog walk area. Upon arrival, we found that it was even worse than the Grand. We got to hike a hill to walk Sadie. Oh, well! Exercise is good. On October 20, we began our trip south again. We always pulled out early in the mornings. Usually, we had plenty of time, but early departure gave us extra time to take care of issues that might arise as we traveled, and early arrival always allowed us time to give the dogs dinghy rides to shore, visit with the local fishermen and campers, and hike in the parks alongside the rivers. Traveling with Elizabear was great. Their dog, Gus, is a golden doodle, and he is Sadie's new best friend. The two of them run up and down the docks or in the parks as we share happy hour. However, now we are in snake and gator country, so their will be more controlled play time.
 |
Sadie's Pal, Gus, while anchored out on the Black Warrior River
|
During the last week of October, we traveled down the Tenn-Thom waterway through Alabama. We anchored out often and stayed in Marina's as well. One stay was the Columbus Marina. As we pulled in, there were water hyacinths everywhere. We weren't sure we were in the right channel as we headed to the marina. The laundry facility was far away, and there wasn't a town nearby, but the rest was peaceful. Our next stop was Pirate's Cove Marina in Pickensville, Alabama. As we reached this marina, I realized that I needed to be appreciative of clean marinas even if I did have a long walk to the laundromat. Because of the heavy rains from Hurricane Patricia, which hit the west coast of Mexico, we stayed put for several days, like it or not. I think that anchoring out might have been a nicer option, but with tornadoes in other parts of Alabama, we didn't want to take chances. Now when Marv mentioned this marina he mildly coated the real picture. The floating docks were so tipped and sinking that they were difficult to walk on. Both Marv and our friend Larry slipped and fell on the slimy docks in the rain. There was an old boat sitting down in the water with two huge hoses pumping water out each side of the boat. The laundry room had a cat door. When you opened the door, their was no litter box and the room wreaked of cat urine and their was mouse or rat pooh all over the washer and dryer. The courtesy car was another story. The driver had to put his/her seat belt through the door handle to keep the door from falling open as we went around the corners, the rest of the car was in dire need of cleaning, and my legs stuck to the front of the seat, but we chuckled our way through and went off to see the sights. They had six big dogs, one was part wolf, and they all itched and scratched until their hair was falling out. Unfortunately, we missed docktails because of the rain, but Marv assured us that the docks would probably sink with all of us sitting out there. I was sure that the only thing missing in this place was once again, banjo music. A week after we were at Pirate's Cove, our friends pulled on American Pie, went there for a pump out. The pump bladder blew up and shot everything everywhere. Since the gas dock was a mess, they hosed it off into the bay. I guess that is one more reassurance that I will not swim in the river water here. As we traveled on, we giggled our way down the river.
 |
Beautiful
Farmland Along the Tenn-Thom Waterway |
In late October and early November while waiting for the rains and floods to subside, we stayed for four days at Kingfisher Bay Marina near Demopolis AL. The marina was beautiful with top rate amenities. The laundry/shower facility had four washers and dryers and rocking chairs so you could watch a large flat screen tv while doing laundry. Although the pool wasn't heated, the walking and dog play areas were very nice. With Panda Bear, we took the courtesy car to town for lunch and shopping. We stopped in a quaint little café where the owner identified us a loopers and sat and visited with us while we ate. What a delightful place. Each day with the rain, we went to town. Once in the courtesy car, and once in the local bus. We were the only ones aboard the bus, so the lady driver gave us a tour of the area. She was really sweet. On the third day, we ladies had enough of Walmart shopping, so the guys took the marina managers car to town to restock liquor, donuts and chips. Oh, my! Story says the car was filthy, and their was a roach in the ashtray. Be careful what you ask for and/or borrow. Let me share though, that it has to be really boring for three adult men to go to Walmart three days in a row. On the final afternoon, Elizabear had Panda Bear and Marv and I over for a game party and the discussion of our travel plans for the next day. The marina had a Halloween party for us. I dressed as Phyllis Dillar and Larry and Flora dressed as a native chief and a jungle cat. Not everyone dressed, but we had a delightful time. The party was on the marina patio with BYOD and snacks. What a fun group.
Each marina stay has had it's own quaint story and adventure. We have a lot of fun, but we are always ready for the next curve in our adventure.
 |
| Peace and Quiet of River Life with Panda Bear |
When we arose on November 3 at 4:30 to travel on, but by 6:30 we were still waiting for the fog to lift. During the next part of our travels down the Tenn-Thom and the Black Warrior Rivers, the marinas were far between. We anchored out often. In most places we had boat ramps where we could take the dinghy to shore and let Sadie walk. However, in one location, we had to beat the ground with boat paddles to make sure there were no snakes when the dogs went to shore. In that location, there were 15 of us traveling together and 10 of us had dogs.
 |
| Long Days with Little to See as We Traveled the Black Warrior Waterway |
 |
| Panda Bear as We Passed the White Cliffs of Epes |
I had no expectations for reaching Mobile and the Gulf. After traveling many miles and many days, there were often times when we only saw an occasional house or business. Barge traffic was frequent and daily. Their were times on the extreme winding of the Black Warrior when we could see a tow coming through the trees and around the next bend. The sights were beautiful, but I didn't realize how much I missed being around cities and people until we came into Mobile. As we got closer to the city the river straightened out, the water traffic picked up and suddenly there we were...the light at the end of the tunnel. As we traveled through the city of Mobile, there were international cargo ships, Navy ships, tows, and barges everywhere. Of course, I was still waving at any vessel we passed when all of a sudden I heard over a loudspeaker, "Yep, the pigeons have left, and the snowbirds have landed," It was exciting to see the city activity, hear the unidentified voice, and know we had landmarks to see. Even though we were in the city, we still had several miles of rough water travel through Mobile Bay to reach our destination marina. It was quite a lift to reach this point in our adventure. We have now traveled under at least 154 bridges and through 25 locks. The locks are a lot of work and seem to be far more than 25. Each one was quite memorable in its own accord. We are now a little more than 1/3 of the way through our journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment