Tombigbee in a week - 450 miles

We have made it thru the rivers and are now in Mobile Bay. It was a chilly journey down and some long boating days. We anchored 4 nights and went to a marina for 3 nights. We went thru 12 locks in total and descended approximately 411 feet to sea level. The last lock in Coffeeville was an accomplishment for us as we realized that we were done with locks until the upper east coast, and that we were at sea level and have to now deal with boating in salt water and monitoring tides. A whole new experience for us. Our longest boating day was 93 miles over 9 ½ hours and one lock. A couple of days we got to anchor/marina just before dark. We stayed at Kingfisher Marina in Demopolis, AL for 2 nights. At this time we were able to restock food, do laundry, go on a walk and even spend some time with looper dog Alfie. So fun! We are currently in Fairhope, AL on the east side of Mobile Bay. It’s a very touristy area similar to Traverse City, with cute shops and restaurants downtown. Nan Wagenaar came for a visit from Baton Rouge and got to experience sleeping on our boat. I was glad she was up for the adventure! We head to Orange Beach, AL today (11/20) for a week. I sure hope it warms up….supposed to be in mid 60’s next week! Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving….we will definitely miss being home with the family.

Entering the Tombigbee Waterway - 450 miles to go

Whitten Lock - 80 feet down and the first lock on the TennTom

Several boats waiting for Tow to get thru lock - we waited more than 3 hours our first day to get thru 3 locks - we didn't get very far that day.

After a long day waiting for locks, it was getting dark and all of these boats turned into a safe anchorage. Fortunately it was big and deep enough for all of us.

View on the Tombigbee

We passed a lot more tows than we thought we would - some were quite close due to narrow waterway.

White Cliffs of Epps

Early departure for a lock - Sunrise over the Tombigbee 6:38am

Robin getting some dog hugs from Alfie the Looper Dog at Kingfisher Marina in Demopolis, AL

Okatuppa Anchorage - quite narrow

Coffeeville Lock - last one on the Tombigbee - we are now at sea level.

We got into the bayous of the river

Yahoo......the final lock until the upper east coast.

8 boats in the Coffeeville Lock

This is what we do at anchor when we don't want to start the generator

Tensaw River Anchorage - last one for us on the river system.

Several boats had to wait for this railroad bridge to lift up.

Entering Mobile, AL industrial river section thru downtown

Our AIS was going off like crazy with all of the tows and ships (ie. green and red boats). Fortunately they were all off to the side so we could easily get thru.

Mobile, AL

Mobile, AL

Goodbye tows and barges - hello big ships!

Commercial fishing boat on Mobile Bay

Friendly pelican welcoming us to the Bay.....he was very curious

Tied up at the Dog River Marina gas dock for 1 night - west side of Mobile Bay

Walked around Fairhope, AL with Nan. Cute shops and restaurants