November 16, 2009

November 16, 2009

Sumter Recreational area to Demopolis, AL

What a crazy morning!! We were up early and I was in trying to get attention deficit Port to do his chores at 6:15 when I saw Biddi & the Beast (BB) leaving the anchorage. I knew it wasn’t 7:00 – the planned departure time – but knew I needed to hurry. Mark explained that BB had called ahead to the Heflin Lock & Dam and found out that the lock master would take us down if we could get there by 7:15. There was a tow waiting below the dam and one was coming from the north behind us. YIKES!

We got the kayak back on the boat and tied down, both anchors up, motored through the shallow harbor entrance, and traveled the five miles by 7:20. We were out by 7:45 with no more locks to deal with until Demopolis. The trip was uneventful other than dodging floaters/debris. We didn’t miss them all but seem to be OK still.

There were many areas where we saw trees clinging to the bank or ready to fall into the waterway. Also, many buoys were on the wrong side of the river. The water had been quite high here during tropical storm Ida. There were many lovely homes along this stretch, and a few precarious ones. The white cliffs of Epes was a highlight.

Our biggest decision was whether or not to continue to Demopolis. Both Magnolia and Biddi & the Beast had called ahead and been told that there was no room for us. I was opting for another night at anchorage upstream rather than get to Demopolis and have no place to stay. Both marinas and anchorages are few and far between at this point of the waterway. Demopolis is the last full service marina until Mobile Bay. We intended to get fuel here and we needed a pumpout. All three of decided we would come on down and see what panned out. Good fortune was with us and Grateful got the last slip for which we were very grateful.

A fun surprise as we pulled in - Steve & Liz from Shingebiss were here. We had dinner with them in the marina restaurant – good food and good company.