11/5/2010 DEMOPOLIS TO BOBBY'S FISH CAMP

FRIDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: NM

TODAY’S LOCKS: 1

DEMOPOLIS LOCK MM 213.2 40’

After Squvot made the 6:30 AM call to the Demopolis Lock for instructions, the encamped boats began to pull in ropes, disconnect power and make tracks to the open gates. It was like a perfectly executed ballet performance with fourteen boats (yes, I did say 14!) entering the lock, some tying to the floating bollards and the others rafting off the secured vessels. By 7:30 we were all in our places and locking down. Here is a list of the 14 boats that occupied the lock this morning:

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THE DEMOPOLIS LOCK AND DAM

Craw Dad - Dream Fever – Drift Away – Finally – Ganymede – GonCruzin III – High Spirits

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia – Monkey Girl – Sea More – Sleeping Bear – Squvot – 30 Below – Quest

ENTERING THE LOCK AND FINDING OUR PLACES

THE GATES ARE LOCKED AND THE WATER IS LOWERING

FROM THE AFT DECK AS THE WATER LEVEL DROPS

After an orderly exit directed by the efficient Lock Master, the caravan of vessels arranged themselves according to their cruising speed and continued our journey south. Some were hoping to make the 88 NM to Bobby’s Fish Camp while others set their sights at Bashi Creek, a much shorter distance.

THE VESSELS PARADE OUT IN AN ORDERLY FASHION

We experienced the beginning of another stunning day with the sun’s rays reaching upwards over the eastern horizon as we left Demopolis. What can I say? It was just breathtaking. The day developed into a stunning example of what autumn can hold in store for the boaters heading south. Watching the sun’s luminous rays creating the diamonds on the water, I could almost hear Louis Armstrong’s reminding me to “Say to myself, what a wonderful day!”

"WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY"

Following the twisty path of the river, we wove in and out.  Sometimes the sun shone on our port and minutes later it would be coming in the starboard windows.  Take a look at this convoluted path.

A PAGE FROM OUR CHART BOOKS

TWISTS AND TURNS ON THE GPS MAP

We finally made it to the famous Bobby’s Fish Camp which consists of about 150’ of dock and a cat fish restaurant. The 65’ to 70’Andiamo, Sqivot and Ganymede tied to the dock with Quest, Finally and Sleeping Bear rafting off of them. We all had catfish dinner together, telling stories and laughing at our own follies, then rushed back to our respective boats in the freezing night. We have freeze warnings for the next four nights!! What’s the deal? We are heading south to get away from the winter’s cold fingers.

CATFISH DINNER AT BOBBY'S