We woke up around 6:00 and, after listening to the weather prediction of flooding along the rivers, we decided to head out as soon as we could. No breakfast, no coffee, no nothing. Gerry went out in the dinghy to retrieve the lines that were tied to the trees and Linda pulled them all in. Next we took up the stern and bow anchors and were on our way by 7:00.
The trip down was pretty good with an extra 1-2 knot current to help us along. There was not much debris to speak of, considering all the wind and rain that we had over the last couple of days. The landscape changed drastically from tree lined shores to one of industry and commercial activity. Once we crossed under the Interstate 65 Bridge and could see Mobile in the distance we knew we were emerging from the slow quiet atmosphere of the rivers. We had been on the rivers for 52 days (since leaving Chicago) and had more or less become accustomed to the rhythm of the river. It was almost a shock to be back in civilization. We thoroughly enjoyed the rivers, especially the Tennessee and the Tenn-Tom.
Another thing that was a shock to our system was the seas we encountered in Mobile Bay. Not since Lake Michigan had we seen any waves. The trip to the turn off for Dog River was right down uncomfortable, but it was a relatively short distance and soon we were at Dog River Marina all tied up and secure. Tomorrow the boat is being hauled to have some work done (bottom paint, through hull, running gear check and a few other things). We will be on the hard for at least a week. During our downtime, we plan to run into New Orleans with our friends from Emotion III and Second Star, then wander through Biloxi on the way back (do a little reminiscing from the days we were at Keesler AFB).
We were tired and neither of us wanted to cook, nor did we want to go out for dinner ….. so ….. Pizza delivery!! Yeah, civilization is good after all!!
The trip down was pretty good with an extra 1-2 knot current to help us along. There was not much debris to speak of, considering all the wind and rain that we had over the last couple of days. The landscape changed drastically from tree lined shores to one of industry and commercial activity. Once we crossed under the Interstate 65 Bridge and could see Mobile in the distance we knew we were emerging from the slow quiet atmosphere of the rivers. We had been on the rivers for 52 days (since leaving Chicago) and had more or less become accustomed to the rhythm of the river. It was almost a shock to be back in civilization. We thoroughly enjoyed the rivers, especially the Tennessee and the Tenn-Tom.
Another thing that was a shock to our system was the seas we encountered in Mobile Bay. Not since Lake Michigan had we seen any waves. The trip to the turn off for Dog River was right down uncomfortable, but it was a relatively short distance and soon we were at Dog River Marina all tied up and secure. Tomorrow the boat is being hauled to have some work done (bottom paint, through hull, running gear check and a few other things). We will be on the hard for at least a week. During our downtime, we plan to run into New Orleans with our friends from Emotion III and Second Star, then wander through Biloxi on the way back (do a little reminiscing from the days we were at Keesler AFB).
We were tired and neither of us wanted to cook, nor did we want to go out for dinner ….. so ….. Pizza delivery!! Yeah, civilization is good after all!!
The morning after the storm .... blue skies with wispy clouds
The boat deck shows some of the residue from the storm .... lots of leaves
Did I mention this anchorage had tons of mosquitoes. We had put duct tape on the wires that connected Gerry's phone to an amplifier system on the flybridge. When we got up there were many mosquitoes stuck to the tape .... a new form of mosquito catcher
Gerry in the dinghy (behind the bushes) untieing lines
More dinghy work
There is no such thing as a rope on a boat. Every "rope" has a name based on what it's used for .... but once the lines were back on the boat, they became a big pile of "spaghetti" and we decided it would be okay to just call them ropes
On the way down the river we passed another steam generating power plant
This is the I-65 bridge - also known as the "Dolly Parton" bridge
We followed a tug through the 14-mile railroad bridge. The bridge is really at mile marker 13.3, but it goes by the name of 14-mile bridge
The shoreline had changed since we left the anchorage. Here among the cyprus trees are saw palmettos, along with an egret
The Cochran Bridge with Mobile in the distance
We passed a stealth warship (can you see it). Actually Gerry said it did NOT show up on radar.
Here's the Carnival cruiseship Fantasy. It was supposed to depart yesterday for the Carribean, but was delayed a day by the storm, Ida.
Here's downtown Mobile ... the Convention Center and the new Maritime Center
... and this is the Government Plaza
A ship in dry dock
Cranes that load/unload the barges. However, none were being unloaded today.
A freighter coming into the Bay. This was the first freighter we'd seen for quite some time. Only tugs/barges on the rivers.
A Naval Research Laboratory
Approaching Dog River. We were glad to be off the Bay ... it was kind of rough
Scenes around the marina .... sea grass and house on the water
and sailboat masts seen through the sea grass
Pelican on a piling
The marina across the river had palm trees on their gas dock .... we don't see that in Maryland
... and the sun sets on another day
The shoreline had changed since we left the anchorage. Here among the cyprus trees are saw palmettos, along with an egret
The Cochran Bridge with Mobile in the distance
We passed a stealth warship (can you see it). Actually Gerry said it did NOT show up on radar.
Here's the Carnival cruiseship Fantasy. It was supposed to depart yesterday for the Carribean, but was delayed a day by the storm, Ida.
Here's downtown Mobile ... the Convention Center and the new Maritime Center
... and this is the Government Plaza
A ship in dry dock
Cranes that load/unload the barges. However, none were being unloaded today.
A freighter coming into the Bay. This was the first freighter we'd seen for quite some time. Only tugs/barges on the rivers.
A Naval Research Laboratory
Approaching Dog River. We were glad to be off the Bay ... it was kind of rough
Scenes around the marina .... sea grass and house on the water
and sailboat masts seen through the sea grass
Pelican on a piling
The marina across the river had palm trees on their gas dock .... we don't see that in Maryland
... and the sun sets on another day
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