Sorry we haven't posted in so long, but was without internet access or good phone service.

On Monday, October 20, we left Grand Harbor at 8:00 am in the fog with 5 other boats.  Had to turn around and idle outside Grand Harbor and waited an hour for the fog to lift then resumed our journey at 9:20 am.  It turned out to be a nice day.  Seanna did a masterful job in clearing the way through 3 locks; no waiting.  Arrived at Midway Marina in Fulton, Ms at 4:30 pm.  Traveled 55.7 miles.

Tuesday, Oct. 21 we left for Columbus Marina, in Columbus, Ms. going through 4 locks, again cleared thru by Seanna. We can't thank him enough for his expertise.  Another great travel day and I think I might have tying up in the locks down to a science!  (I hear the Canadian locks are a bit different!)  We pulled into the gas dock, fueled up, went to our slip and went to bed early.  Don't know how we can get so tired sitting on a boat!  Traveled 59 miles.

We stayed two nights at the Columbus Marina in Columbus, Ms.  Borrowed the courtesy car and made a trip to Kroger's for groceries, and the wine store to stock up.  David and Jane from Roxanne went with us.

Thursday, October 23 we left Columbus at 6:50 am.  Seanna had called the John Stennis lock which was only .3 of a mile from the marina.  We had a total of 7 boats in the lock.  It was a chilly 42 degrees.   Went through 2 more locks and after traveling 69 miles, anchored out just past the Howell Heflin lock.
Uneasy night as we weren't positive the anchor was holding tight so kept checking and didn't get much sleep.  All well in the morning.  Seanna, Freedom and Roxanne anchored with us.

Friday, Oct. 24 pulled anchor at 8:30 am and left with Roxanne.  Seanna and Freedom left at 7:00 am.  Bright sunny day and headed for Demopolis Yacht Basin in Demopolis, Al.  After traveling 49 miles we arrive at 1:30 pm.  Waited in line for fuel, and got to our slip at 3:00 pm.  This boat sure uses a lot of fuel!!




Actually took my first shower on the boat (we always used the marina showers ... less clean-up) but it was great and decided I'd put up with cleaning our shower for the convenience.  Had dinner at the marina restaurant with David and Jane -- other loopers also were there. 

Stayed Saturday  and made a trip to Walmart for supplies (that's my new "go-to" store as it has just about everything at one place).  I do miss Publix tho!  Had "docktails" at the marina with other loopers to see who was leaving in the morning.  A total of 5 boats decided to leave at 7am.  The next leg down to Mobile is void of any viable marinas and requires anchoring out 2 nights.

Sunday, October 26 we headed out at 7am and traveled 3 miles to the Demopolis lock where a total of 9 boats locked through together, including a 120 foot yacht...it was impressive.  Looked like a crew of at least 5.  Traveled 72 miles and dropped anchor with Roxanne - tied stern to stern with their dingy in between serving as a "foot bridge".  David grilled chicken and vegetables and we ate on our back deck.  Wonderful!  Slept well that night.

Monday, October 27 pulled anchor and left at 8:20 am.  Beautiful sunny morning; put beef stew in the crockpot;  went on the bridge and enjoyed the morning with my coffee.  Had to wait 2 hours and the Coffeeville lock which was the last lock on the river system.  Hurray.  Got too late to make our 1st choice of anchorages, so stayed at a wide spot in the river...a little nervous as the barges were moving through all night - two passed each other right where we were.  We originally anchored stern to stern with Roxanne, but ended up too close to the channel - had to separate and move closer to shore.  It was getting dark when we settled in.

Tuesday, October 28 we left anchorage at 7:30 am after a few tense moments.  One engine did not want to start and had to use the battery  parallel to start it.  The inverter was down to 94% but that should have been enough so anxious to get to a marina to plug in electric.  We were running off our center tank since our last fill up and switched to side tanks after 180 miles.  Still should have been a healthy reserve left, but didn't want to worry. 

Coming into Mobile Bay was awesome and intimidating.  Lots of commercial barge traffic, huge cargo ships along with some military vessels.  We managed to find our way to Dog River Marina, arriving at 4:45pm, got more fuel and tied up for the night.  Whew!  Good to be on solid ground (so to speak).

Had the remainder of our beef stew with David and Jane; had a little too much wine and Baileys and toddled off to bed.  Nice evening tho.

Today, Oct. 29 we went over our list of things we wanted to have done on the boat with the boat yard.  They are putting together cost and time estimates which will determine how long we will stay.  More later.