Looping with the Chequamegon Ark

We made Bobby's Fish Camp on day one out of Kingfisher Bay - dock, 50A power and a nice spot to walk Storm. No wifi so a bit of a longer post today. We got delayed 2 hours getting out of Kingfisher so we got up earlier - 5:20 to try and get ahead of the barge traffic - that didn't work and when we got the OK to get to the lock - no power to the starboard ignition. Lots of prayers and some time in the rats nest of wires under the dash and we got up and running - ran great all day - 136 miles. 95+% of the channel marker boys were missing. Some drift but we managed to miss it. On the dock at Bobby's Fish Camp - midway point in Bajo land between Kingfisher and Mobile. Barge coming out of the fog - we knew then we had an hour to wait. Looking back at Bobby's. Heading into Coffeeville lock - last lock before the gulf - some construction work active now. Below Coffeeville - lots of current but not an issue with the running gear we have on the Ark. So some erosion but not too b...

We called the lock last night and they said to call about 40 minutes before we were going to leave the marina but it looked pretty open for the morning. Called at 6:00 and they said call back at 7:30 because now we have a down bound barge and then an up bound ahead of us. Still looking like a beautiful day to hit the river and get restarted on our loop. Moon set this morning with 2 planets above - you have to look close to see the lower one off to the left. Sunrise over the marina. Very calm morning - 48 degrees here this morning.  

Very nice day in Demopolis today. Minimal projects left to finish while we wait for the river to drain below Coffeeville. Shooting for a 4/27 morning departure  - raining now and more expected for tomorrow so we will see what God has planned. More and bigger drift in the river this morning than we have seen yet. Took a walk down by the Demopolis Yacht basin - the old marina that has silted in. Still has a large repair facility and fuel dock for the barges. The old travel lift has no water even now. 4 story tug at the dock. These guys have 1800 hp per side. Looking back toward shore. If we leave on the 27th and go through Coffeeville lock on the 28th we should get there just as the river goes below flood stage. Raining harder as I type.  

Quiet Sunday in Demopolis. We went to the rodeo with a group from the marina last night - fun event but I don't think I'll be traveling around to find one to watch anytime soon. River is continuing to fall here and the drift in the channel has slowed dramatically. Looking like Wednesday 4/27 may be our departure day - time will tell. Lots of kids lined the fence whenever the action quieted down. On 4/20 the water was at the wood at the top of the sea wall - down 5-6 feet since then. This is the last video I will try for a while if it doesn't work - 8 second clip of a bull ride - none of the riders made it 3 seconds last night. Bulls 7 riders zero.  

We are heading to the rodeo with the marina crew tonight - photos from that tomorrow. Water in the marina down about 5+ feet since peak Wednesday. Coffeeville is 100 miles South and that is the bottleneck keeping us here for a few more days. Inside the little roadside grill in Jefferson AL. Outside the Jefferson Grille. Gaines house plantation. Tiny hand crank, gear driven sewing machine. About 12 inches long and 10 inches high. Ornate dining room. Music room, 1800's violin. Floor to ceiling mirrors - 10-12 foot ceilings - really fairly cool inside today at 85 degrees outside. Courtyard out front. Lots of pillars and ornate finishings inside and out. Ceiling work pretty fancy too. Hand carved posts for the canopy beds and a tiny table on the bed for breakfast in bed. Tiny 3 foot long bed for the youngest daughter. One room was all solid birds eye maple furniture.  

Lots of drift in the channel this morning. Looks like Forrests shrimpin boat is at the end of B dock. These trees are very fragrant. Even more concentrated drift in the marina. Pettus bridge in Selma. We started seeing lots of 2-3 foot gar in the marina. Our generator problem was a bad battery - got the new one installed today.