HEADING TOWARDS HOME

Oct. 21 - 26 - Our first two days were on the Tennessee River with stops at anchorages at Hambrick Hollow and Wheeler State Park.  On the third day, we arrived at the junction of the Tennessee River and the Tenn-Tom Waterway.   Some of the Fall color is displayed below.



Fog was thick below Guntersville Lock


We spent one night at Grand Harbor Marina and then headed south on the Tenn-Tom toward Mobile, AL.
Our first anchorage was at Bay Springs Lake where we experienced a severe thunderstorm after dark with lots of lightning.  Captain Bill kept us safe and secure; he maintained a close watch until the wee small hours.  On the 25th, we went through seven locks and made it to Columbus, MS.  It was extremely windy all day, and severe weather was forecast.  It was good to be in the marina to wait it out.  Enjoyed a reunion with our good friends, Don and Rosie Peck (JUST ROSIE).






Rosie Peck

Bill, Al and JoAnn(Our Turn - 44 Defever), and Don Peck

In anticipation of the forecasted severe weather, we were able to put OMEGA in a covered slip right next to JUST ROSIE, which was a real treat!

Oct. 27 - Nov. 2 -  We left Columbus Marina and continued our cruise downstream towards Mobile.  Overnight stops along the way included Hairston Bend Cut-off (Mile 318.7) on the 27th, Sumter Landing (Mile 270) on the 28th, Foscue Creek at Demopolis (Mile 214) on the 29th, Bobby's Fish Camp (Mile 118.9) on the 30th, Alabama River Cut-off (Mile 52.8) on Halloween, and Tensaw River Cut-off (Mile 12.2) on Nov. 1st. 

The weather was brisk and nippy early in the mornings, but clear, sunny, and nice by mid-morning.  Fog delayed our departure from Foscue Creek on the 29th and from Alabama River Cut-off on Nov. 1st.  Our longest run was from Foscue Creek to Bobby's Fish Camp (95 miles), and we just made it before dark.  The morning fog and delay getting through the Demopolis Lock required Capt. Bill to really put the "pedal to the metal" to make it to Bobby's.  Fortunately, there was only one other boat with us at Bobby's limited dock, so we weren't faced with rafting with another boat.

On the 31st, we locked down at the Coffeeville Lock (Mile 116); this was the final lock for this year's cruise, and we were ready to celebrate.  We went through 38 locks this summer/fall, which brings our grand total to 237.  This includes our 2002 Great Circle cruise, our 2009 cruise to the Tennessee River as well as this year's cruise.  Glad they are all behind us!!!

Due to the shortage of rain this summer and fall, the water at some of our anchorages was really skinny.  Capt. Bill kept a sharp eye out when navigating in and out.  He did a great job as always!

Lots of rain and wind associated with a cold front moving toward us was forecast, so right after dawn on Nov. 2nd, we hustled on down to Mobile and part way down Mobile Bay to Dog River Marina.  We encountered heavy rain as we passed through Mobile, but fortunately once we were out in Mobile Bay, it slacked off until after we were safely docked at the marina.  A number of Looper boats have come in since our arrival, and no one is leaving until the strong winds (25-30 knots) calm down. 

OMEGA at Dog River Marina, Mobile, AL




                                                                                                                               Waiting for Good Weather 

High Winds and Rough Waters on Dog River

 We had hoped to depart today (Nov. 4th), but decided to stay put until tomorrow hoping for calmer waters and less wind.  It will take us about three hours to get down Mobile Bay and into the Gulf Coast Intercoastal Waterway.