Down the BWTB

Rafted up on the BWTB

Rafted up in the lock!

Locking down the BWTB

Waterfall caused by the Lock and Dam



One foggy morning



What a beautiful morning!



River Raft heading for New Orleans!



Loop Dreams on anchor with us one morning









Thursday morning – ONLY ONE WEEK UNTIL THANKSGIVING! Hard to believe that the holidays are here. This year with us on the Loop has gone by so fast! It soon will be 2012!

Anyway, we were up at 5:30 Thursday morning! The Lockmaster said to hold off about 45 minutes or so. So we finally left about 6:30 to head that way. We didn't have to wait long. There were 12 boats – from a 112' boat named Sensation to a pontoon boat - all locking through at once. We had two boats – Jeremiah and Lifestyles – raft up to us. It took about an hour but all was good. It was a little cluster when we all left the lock but no big deal.

Everyone was heading down the river. Some were trying to make it to Bobby's Fish Camp while others planned to stop at an anchorage called Bashi Creek (mm 145). Some of the boats were much faster than us some were slower. It all works out. Along the way we met several barges. We also saw more eagles. That is always so cool!

When we made it to mm 145 – Bashi Creek – we thought it looked great. While others passed it up to go to Bobby's we thought it was a great spot. However, it was still early for us and we knew there were a few slower boats behind us that would really need this for a stop. We decided to venture on to the next anchorage at mm 123.2 – Okatuppa Creek. It turned out to be a great anchorage too. It was at long day though – 93 miles. We anchored out with Blue Skies. The slower boats took Bashi Creek. Others went to Bobby's. Everyone was happy!

We woke up to 28 degrees and ICE on the deck again! We can't get south fast enough!! It also was very foggy for a while. When we finally were able to leave - the sun was shining bright and the sky a bright blue. Those that had stayed on the dock at Bobby's were ahead of us a little bit - we could hear them locking through. On our way to the lock – Blue Skies stopped to get fuel at Bobby's. We ended up locking through all by ourselves. Quite a change from yesterday when there were 12 boats. This was our FINAL LOCK for a long time now. We shouldn't have to deal with them again until we travel north up the east coast. That could be quite a while – I'm wondering if I'll ever get Mike to go back up to Norfolk VA to complete our loop. Once he gets to where it's warm – he may never leave! LOL!

We talked to Sweet Pea (Jim and Dale) along the way – they were about 30-45 minutes ahead of us. Jeremiah and the boats behind us were back about hour or so. We were heading to mm 63.8 – Three Rivers Lake. The river is really pretty with the sun shining on it. We are starting to see more sand beaches now. We've even seen deer along the way. After we locked through this last lock we were back at sea level. That means we will now need to think about the tides again. It's been quite a ride! It warmed up to a beautiful day and we traveled only about 60 miles today. That's better than yesterday.

The Three Rivers Lake anchorage turned out to be another great anchorage. When we got there, Sweet Pea, Erika Lin and Loop Dreams were already there and rafted up together. Blue Skies got there about the same time we did and rafted up with us. Not sure how he did that because he stopped at Bobby's and locked through behind us. He must have put the power down for a while!

We tried to leave about 8:30 this morning but when we were weighing the anchor – up come this huge chain wrapped around it! Mike finally was able to free our anchor but we couldn't bring in the chain - though he tried and tried. It must have had an anchor at the other end and was wrapped around a big stump or something. Anyway, after reeling in about 40 feet or so of the chain, Mike finally had to let it all back into the river. Whatever was keeping it stuck down there when its owner left it still had a mighty hold on it. No harm done – but no big prize either……

We were finally on our way around 9:00. At least there were no locks to contend with! It also was not near as cold as it had been yesterday. Our big plan today was to make it to mm 16.6 – Big Bayou Canot.

The river started to get a little swampier now with lots of Spanish moss and cypress trees. We kept looking for alligators and black bear – but no such luck. We did have our fair share of barge traffic though. Must be because we are getting near to Mobile and Mobile Bay.

One thing we did see though was a very odd little river raft. It was definitely homemade and quite colorful. They had packed it to the gills and were floating on down the river. We called them on the VHF and they told us that they were headed to New Orleans. Now that's an adventure! The boat wasn't more than probably 20 feet. It kind of looked like a small but stuffed garage going down the river!

Anyway when we got to the anchorage - it was a little narrow but had a lot of water. However we were told by the Alabama Marine Police that he strongly recommended that we not anchor there. He said it was too narrow for all of us – and that it would get worse with the outgoing tide. He also said that we would be hassled by hunters and fishermen using the area. He suggested that we go on down the river just a few more miles. It was only about 2:30 p.m. so that wasn't a problem. Off we went to mm 12.2 – The Tensas Cut-Off. About a mile up Little Briar Creek – we had plenty of water and it was much prettier anyway. We all rafted up and had a good time.

According to the weather – Mobile Bay may be a little rough tomorrow so we may stay at this anchorage for another day. After all - we're only 12 miles away from Mobile and we're in no hurry.
We have reservations at Eastern Shore Marina in Fairhope AL on the east side of the Bay for Tuesday and plan to spend a few days there. We may try to get in there on Monday if the weather permits.

We're looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with other Loopers at Bob and Vicki Riggs' home. They are Gold Loopers and have invited us all to join them. ALSO, Joleen, a good friend of mine is driving down from Joplin to visit us over the weekend. Looking forward to a good visit with her! She'll be our third visitor from our home town!
Till next time!

Admiral "C"