Welcome to Alabama!

Trip Day:	219	Latitude:	34°54.24 ' N	Locks Today:	1
Miles Today:	55	Longitude:	088°06.04'W	Locks Total:	96
Total Miles:	4,686	Location:	Waterloo,  AL on Pickwick Lake

We quietly raised anchor and slowly made our way around Snow Cat to get an early start for another long travel day.  It was cool this morning requiring jackets to start the day.  There was a steam mist hanging low over the water, but the sun gave promise of an early warming.  No boat traffic was to be seen until three hours later when Snow Cat passed us. 

The last couple days we have seen patches of Cyprus trees which surprised us - we didn't realize they grew this far north.

 

 The current was very strong this morning and at times we ran less than 4 mph over ground although the boat speed was 6.6 mph. The winds were a little stronger today, but as soon as we set a sail the river would make a turn and the wind would be on our nose.  We gave up on the sails and simply powered.  The closer we got to Pickwick Dam, the stronger the current we encountered. After a 30 minute wait we passed through the Pickwick Landing Lock where the rise of 55 ft brought us into Pickwick Lake where everything changed. 

 The wide open lake with high tree-covered shores was a showcase of  beautiful homes.  The open water allowed for clean air and we hoisted the sails.  Running at 7 mph, with no current, made up for lost time this morning and perked us up as well. 

 

The scenery was lovely and  every few miles there were little coves for anchorages just wide enough for one or two boats.  We are near Waterloo, AL which is one of the oldest towns having been settled in 1832. General Sherman’s headquarters was in   Waterloo as he marched through the south.  Most of the town was moved when the Pickwick Dam was built in the early 1930s. Today Waterloo is a quiet community with a population of about 300. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We found our own little cove and dropped anchor right in the middle in ten feet of water.  Within the hour Ron had fired up the grill and we started dinner. 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 15th - SWALLOW BLUFF ISLAND
Up early today to leave at 7:00 A.M. Not a bad start with the temperature in the mid 50’s and the sun visible. Oops, after about 20 minutes we ran into a wall of fog on the river. With no place to stop, we slow down to half speed and Ron went to the bow as lookout. I steered by the chart plotter and compass, literally unable to see the shoreline 100 feet away.  The biggest concern would be a tug and tow coming downbound. At times it was hard to see Ron on the bow—-pretty thick stuff. The fog lasted a good hour before finally burning off.

 We flew a sail when possible, but the winds were too light to make much difference.  The current is still against us, making our travel speed less than 6 mph. The scenery ranged from high limestone bluffs, farmland, cows and goats today.  The colors are vivid and so appreciated by these two Floridians.

Around midday we were hailed on the radio by Snow Cat, the 34’ PDQ power cat we first met back at the spring rendezvous in Norfolk. Don and Bernie passed us doing about 14 knots and steamed on ahead. After a short conversation, we  realize our destinations today were the same, so we agreed to get together later at the recommended anchorage at Swallow Bluff. Watching the sunset with friends, drinks, and appetizers can’t be beat. A great ending to a long day.

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14th - WEATHER DAY!

A weather front passed through yesterday late afternoon and evening, bringing lots of rain. It is still cloudy and blustery as we get up, so we decide to wait until it passes.  The weather channel showed a major storm line from Alabama to the Great Lakes moving east with a cold front behind it.  By late morning, the rain had stopped, but the winds are still up, from the south—just the  direction we are headed.  The wind predictions were for 15-20 with stronger gusts. So this was declared a weather day.

 

 

 

 

  The day was bad enough that the Marina personnel call it a day at 1:00 PM. No locals or fishermen were showing up today to fight the whitecaps on the river. We spend a very  quiet afternoon reading and watching a little TV, then took a walk to stretch our legs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part of the day was a Skype call with five of the grandkids—that put a smile on or faces!