We Made It!!!!

Sorry for the delay in posting an update but we made it to saltwater! We are now on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay in the lovely town of Fairhope, AL. We like to call this area LA or Lower Alabama and have been enjoying it since we got in on Thursday.

So, a little bit of trip recap. We left Demopolis on Monday morning with 2 other boats about 0830. There was a flotilla of 8-10 boats that left at first light which is about 0600 with the time change. We're not the early birds and prefer to travel with less boats. The second to last lock was just below the marina and we were in and out in about 30 minutes and on our way. The forecast was for mostly cloudy with improving conditions over the next few days. It seems then they say mostly cloudy around here it means all the way to the ground.

 It was kind of a pain to be up and down between the helms all day but we had ground to cover so we motored on. The best case scenario was anchoring out three nights before getting to Mobile. First night we had made about 70 miles and anchored out of the channel near a sharp bend. We knew we'd be well out of the path of tow traffic as they had to swing wide to make the bend. I talked to the first tow to come by and he confirmed we were plenty safe. Still, I felt more comfortable "sleeping" on the futon at the lower helm just in case....not needed. Next day was about the same thing with misty rain and another 70 miles. Anchorage was a bit better as we were behind a couple of channel markers so I was doubly sure we were out of the way and could sleep in bed. Good thing because it's easier to sleep if you don't know what you're missing....

After a peaceful night on the hook we were delayed a few hours in the morning due to fog. Pic below is the same boat anchored behind us.

See the boat?

Finally got going about 0930 for the last leg to Mobile. Tonight we would anchor about 10 miles above Mobile bay for an easy 30 mile run to Fairhope the next morning. The sun finally came out and after we cleared the last lock on the Tenn-Tom (woo-woop!!) the scenery began to take on more of a cypress swamp look. Jill spotted the first gator today! We keep getting souther and souther!!

No Swimming!!!!!!

This night we anchored in Bayou Canot made famous by a tow making a wrong turn in 1994 and hitting a railroad bridge just before an Amtrak came by. 49 people were killed when the train crashed into the bayou. Thankfully the barges stayed in the river this night and we had a very peaceful rest.

Next morning we made our way back out into the Mobile river for the last leg. After only a short time we could see the skyline ahead.

A few miles further and we were in the industrial part of Mobile and a very busy seaport....things are about to get real! There were still barges but now we get to add in pilot boats all the way up to sea going ships. A bit intimidating to say the least. Thank God none of the big ships were moving this morning.

One of the two ships under construction below is the new USS Cincinnati. Not sure which one, apparently the navy doesn't paint the name on the back like we have to. Kind of a stealth looking ship, pretty cool.

Not too much farther we were about to enter Mobile bay where things would calm down...not!

Mobile bay ahead!!

As we got into the ship channel things seemed to just get busier and busier. There was a pilot boat following us and all kinds of fishing boats going back and forth across the channel. As big as the bay is it's very shallow so you still have to stay in or near the channel.

Shrimp boat above kept going back and forth so I wasn't too sure where to go to not get in his nets. Jill was doing a great job helping me keep an eye on things as well as taking pictures, quite the multitasker!! After about 6 miles in the ship channel we were able to hang a left and head toward Fairhope. Other than being shallow it was a much more relaxing ride. We got to the marina in time for lunch and our first steps on land in 4 days. That evening we rowed the dinghy across the creek to a nice little restaurant for dinner. They had a nice little wine reception for us. OK not really for us but it made a nice picture with Chasing 80 in the background. 

Next day we rented a car for the weekend and got out for some exploring. We drove as far as the Flora-Bama and put our toes in the sand for the first time of many to come!!

Shoes?!?!?

Last night a cold front came through with rain and lots of wind. It's still blowing pretty good tonight but things are supposed to start improving tomorrow. Depending on the wind we'll get going tomorrow or Tuesday for a short run down the bay to the ICW and the Orange Beach area. From there we'll slowly make our way east across the panhandle of Florida to set up for our gulf crossing. Right now we're looking at around Thanksgiving to cross with a full moon but Mother Nature will decide when we actually get to do it. It's a 150 mile run so the plan is to leave mid afternoon and get to the Dunedin area late morning the next day so we need a pretty good weather window to get across.

Stay tuned....