November 2nd, 2013

November 2, 2013

 

Up at 5:15, chomping at the bit to head downstream.  It takes me a while to get organized and I do not like to rush in the morning so I get up about 90 minutes before I intend to leave the dock.  First I take my shower, then grapefruit for breakfast along with a protein shake.  Then it is time for the pre trip inspection down below.  This morning I needed a ½ quart of oil in the port motor and ¼ quart in the starboard motor.  I check oil level in both motors, transmission level in both transmissions and smell the fluid for overheating, drain the very bottom of each of the fuel filters to disperse any water, and check fresh water screens. 

Then time to do the dishes, take out the trash and fill up the water tanks.  Word on the dock last night was Acappella had targeted entering the Glover Wilkins lock (right outside the marina) at 7AM sharp.  Downtime got on the radio about 6:30 and was a little apprehensive with the fog. 

Acappella radioed there was a tow in the lock (Salene) anyway so the new projection was 7:15.

Acappella is Captained by the owner of Active Captain.

I got kinda antsy  (Bill Collins antsy, who would figure?) so I pulled away at 6:50 and just putt around.  I got some really good pictures of Acappella pulling up anchor in a light fog. 

 

We entered the lock right at 7:15 and were out by 7:35.  Downtime was in the lead but not comfortable with the fog so we all took our time getting to Amory Lock around 8:15.  The lock was ready and waiting for us so we slipped right through. 

Downstream from Amory there is a bass fishing tournament going on….oh joy!  Plus the fog is pretty thick.  

We are running in the middle of the pack just under 8 knots and slowing down constantly for fishermen next to the bank.

The fog lifted within an hour and we had a beautiful day.

We arrived at Aberdeen lock at 10:10, waited for them to fill the chamber and entered at 10:35.  Out at 11:00 AM and passed big cruiser (Serenity) at mile 347 around noon….he was going the wrong way!

After we pulled out of Aberdeen, Pisces pulled out ahead and put the hammer down.  

I passed Sun Drum and Down Time as they were stopping at Columbus marina and I was continuing down to Pirate’s Cove.

Passing Down Time.....very nice people!!  They are about to finish the loop when they get back to Daytona Beach!

I arrived at Columbus lock around 1:30 and only waited a few minutes for the doors to open up.  In the lock, I noticed the lock was flying the Corps of Engineers Flag upside down.  I asked the lockmaster about it when leaving and he was embarrassed that he did not know it was upside down.  He thanked me for bringing it to his attention as his boss might get upset on Monday if he saw it.  I told him I thought it was a protest to the government shutdown and he told me they did not get paid for that time but hope to get paid sometime in the future.  He was not real happy about the situation.

From Columbus to Pirate’s Cove we came upon 6 barges.  Green Wave was across the channel tying barges together, George Lenzie had nothing to push, Chippewa and Claude R were close together.  I choose to wait for Claude R before he rounded a sharp curve to make sure we had enough room.  The Jack Binion and Larry Tilly finished off the barge parade.

Chipoewa

Claude R

George Lenzie

Green Wave

Larry Tilly

Jack Binion

We observed some interesting stuff along shore

How old is this?

I want this in my front yard.

loading grain

How new is this?

Guess they could use some improvements down south

Bevill Visitor Center

unloading salt?

We arrived at Pirate’s Cove at 5PM, right on time.  I backed into a slip next to Pisces, hooked up, had a chocolate protein shake while Trick baked some fish for us.  Now to finish the blog for the night and get an early turn in to head out to Demopolis tomorrow. 

This guy must have the same cell coverage that I do!!!!

 I have no cell signal again so I have to communicate with Missy via the internet (Trick’s AT&T works so I use his hotspot).

The marina is almost at capacity.  Even some people from Hudson WI (they say they have anchored with Chris and Kerm).  Boaters are an interesting and varied breed.  Almost all couples so I really feel out of place without Missy on board.  In three more days with four more locks we will be at sea level………Yea!  We are going to head out early, hopefully the fog will not be too bad.