November 14 – Anchoring in Bashi Creek

Only two more locks – Demopolis and Coffeeville – and we will cross Mobile Bay and arrive at our next marina – the Wharf in Orange Beach, in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

However that is three nights away, all on the anchor. A long time to be on the boat and not on land.

We leave early morning from Kingfisher Marina. The Admiral has the flashlight out on the bow to give the Captain some much needed light.

The Demopolis Lock is just past the Kingfisher Marina.

Once again Todd on Sea No Evil is in the lead, guiding us through, with Tom on Beachside second in command.

The journey to our anchorage is status quo – nothing crazy. Guess we are finally getting used to the locks and the rivers. Now that there is only one lock left!

Some of our flotilla are anchoring in other spots. There are six boats anchoring in Bashi Creek. Beachside asks Sunshine to raft up to them on their starboard side. Sea No Evil will anchor on their port.

Three other boats also raft up – Riva in the center, with Into the Mystic and Sundancer on either side.

Tom and Todd hop into Todd’s dinghy to take Sunshine’s stern anchor out. Soon the boats are all secure.

A Game of Cards

Diane and Tom invites us to their boat for dinner. Bring hamburgers for the grill and a side dish. After dinner we will play a game of cards. Oh my – Captain Pat and the Admiral are not card players. Diane reminds me of this fact the following day in a text. -😊

Beachside is a spacious, comfortable boat, decorated to fit its name. The night turns out to be so fun. The game is Phase 10, a rummy-type card game where players compete with each other to see who can complete ten varied phases first.

We played the simplified version. Good thing – the Captain just couldn’t get a lucky hand to even get on the board, until the very end. The Admiral, on the other hand, had beginner’s luck. She came in second place – losing to Tom by only one card – five points.

One thing for sure – a night anchored out goes so much faster with the company of fun people.

Our stay at Bashi Creek was a memorable one.

November 15 – Journey to Upper Sunflower East Anchorage

The next morning it’s the same drill. Leave at sun up. Everyone is excited. We will go through the last lock today – Coffeeville.

In Coffeeville Lake we see more fall foliage.

We pass the famous Bobby’s Fish Camp. This is written up in all the Looper guidebooks as an iconic stop, one not to miss.

There used to be a restaurant here. Now there is just a dock, no power or water or services. If you blink you would miss it. They do offer fuel. We do not stop. We see no need to.

As we approach the Coffeeville Lock we see a bright pink barge. It has the usual “Corp of Engineers – U.S. Army” on the side. The color just looks off!

We see the green light and enter the lock.

There are enough bollards that it isn’t necessary to raft up. Sunshine grabs a bollard and is soon secured to the lock wall.

I am excited yet don’t want to jinx our luck. Up to this point we have not had any issues on the locks – in spite of all my senseless worrying.

The lock gate closes and water comes pouring in.

The lock gate opens, the boats parade out, and there are shouts of joy. We made it through the last river locks!

Back on the Tombigbee River we are on high alert for logs and debris. We don’t see many. We do see what appears to be a dead alligator on the riverbanks.

Upper Sunflower East Anchorage

Soon we reach our anchorage for this evening – Sunflower East. As we did last night, Riva, Sundancer, and Into the Mystic raft up together. Sunshine, Beachside, and Sea No Evil do the same. This time Sunshine goes in first to Beachside’s starboard side. Sea No Evil rafts to his port side.

Even though Into the Mystic has thrown a stern anchor from their raft, the boys on Beachside’s raft decide it is not necessary. Their anchor is holding pretty good and the winds should be calm tonight.

Hold that thought for tomorrow’s post.

Champagne – Time to Celebrate

Maria and Todd on Sea No Evil invites Sunshine and Beachside over to their boat for champagne and appetizers to celebrate our making it through all the locks. Sea No Evil is a comfortable Carver with lots of room. Captain Pat could get used to their reclining leather seating.

It’s another great evening with our Looper friends. We are blessed indeed. As we bask in the comfort of their company we almost forget about those crazy rivers and locks.

But there is an early morning ahead.