Alabama: Sumter Landing Recreation Anchorage to Demopolis

Day 134

NM Today: 46

NM Total: 2952

Locks Today: 1

Locks Total: 100

Today we rose at 6:00 a.m. and were underway at 6:35.  Anchorages make leaving quickly easier – just pull up the anchor and go.  The three boats in the anchorage got on the VHF radio at 6:30 as planned, asked for lock status, and were told “come on down”.  We decided not to dawdle and took off for the lock ASAP.  Once again we found ourselves surrounded by a misty fog.

Foggy Anchorage at Sumter Recreation Area

When we want to leave in a hurry, we pass on breakfast.  That cuts out a lot of time.  I prepare the upper helm for the captain while he takes care of downstairs duties like engine checks and personal hygiene.  If we have dew, I clean the full-enclosure “windows” with a squeegee and a dry cloth.  I take the canvas cover off the upper helm station and remove the covers from each of the instruments, and then usually turn them on.  Lastly I put the US flag out on the stern of the boat.  These may seem like little things but they each take time.  When the captain comes up to the helm, he has less to take care of before he starts the engines.  After we are underway, I make breakfast for the captain and bring it up to him to eat on the go – my own rendition of an “Egg McMuffin”.  Once I have the captain’s needs taken care of, I take care of my own breakfast and hygiene needs.  It is a process that seems to work well.

Shortly after we left the anchorage, we arrived at the Heflin Lock, but the path to the lock from the anchorage was rather like crossing a mine field as the waterway was filled with all sorts of wood debris.  Some of the tree trunks floating by were up to 4” in diameter.  Fortunately they tend to get pushed out of the way at slow speed motoring; however, every once in a while we would hear a “ca-thunk” when we did not quite miss one of the logs.  I thought that if the wood could be collected, it would make a great bonfire.

As promised, the lock was ready for us when we arrived.  We were the first to enter and decided to tie to port since the guide book said that was the recommended tie up.  As we entered the lock the lockmaster told us to avoid the second bollard as it was malfunctioning, so we chose the third bollard.  The other two boats tied to the starboard side.  I could not discern any reason why the port side was preferred.  

As we waited for the vessels to be secured and the doors to close, we listened to the cacophony of noise generated by the numerous bollards banging, clanking, and screeching as they were jostled in place by the water movement in the lock.  The noise continued throughout the whole locking process.  Clark said the noises reminded him of a steel drum.I would have to say it is a very poorly tuned steel drum.

Heflin Lock & Dam

Most of today was typical of what we have seen previously on the waterway.  In fact when we reached the mile marker which is halfway between the Tennessee River, where we started, and Mobile, where we conclude our tour of the Tenn-Tom, I read in the cruise guide that we can expect “more of the same” for the second half.  We did pass a few noteworthy items of interest today.

When we arrived at Epes, Alabama, we got to see the very picturesque White Cliffs which the cruise guide said would be “spectacular”.  Given the amount of fog we traveled through to get there I thought that we would only see spectacular fog. However, the sun decided to make a brief appearance for us as we approached the White Cliffs, so we got some pretty good pictures.  We learned that the white cliffs are part of the Selma chalk formations containing dinosaur fossils. 

White Cliffs of Epes, AL

Railroad Bridge at White Cliffs of Epes, AL

Later on the river we passed more cliffs which, according to the captain’s chart book, is the highest point on the waterway.

Highest Point on the Tenn-Tom Waterway

Towards the end of today’s journey, we passed the junction of the Tombigbee and the Black Warrior Rivers.  From now until Mobile we will be traveling the Black Warrior River portion of the Tenn-Tom waterway.

Confluence of Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers

With our early start today, we pulled into the Demopolis Yacht Basin, our stop for at least the next two nights, at 12:35 p.m.  As we watched multiple loopers came into the marina and joined us at the docks.  The owner of the marina said that 55 to 60 looper boats have left here this week – Monday through today.  Each day a set of boats sets sail for the Gulf Coast.

So far we are pleasantly surprised by the Demopolis Yacht Basin.  The restrooms are large and clean. Four washers and dryers are available for laundry, and a courtesy car is available for our use.  We joined Susan and John from Nuclear Fishin' at The Red Barn restaurant for dinner tonight.  I ordered grilled catfish and enjoyed it very much.  Though the breaded and fried variety seems the more popular choice, I was concerned that my stomach would not be happy with that as my entree.  The broiled catfish was very moist and nicely seasoned and turned out to be an excellent selection.

I got my laundry done today using the machines here at the marina.  Tomorrow we plan to take the courtesy car and go to Walmart for groceries in the afternoon.  Perhaps in the morning we can get into the historic downtown part of Demopolis for a look around before the predicted rain and thunderstorms are upon us.  Fingers crossed!!