We arrived in Fairhope, AL on Nov. 25, the night before Thanksgiving. It took 3 days and locking through 4 Locks to make it down the Tombigbee/Black Warrior River to Mobile. Here's how those days went:
11-22-2015
First night after leaving Pirate's Cove Marina we anchored out at Rattlesnake II. Beautiful anchorage just off the River - quiet and peaceful, no rattlesnakes. We could see the Tows go by but we didn't feel them. It has a constant gentle current, just enough to hold the boat from swinging.
We woke up to 27 degrees outside, making Florida sound better all the time.
11-23-2015
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| Kingfisher at Demopolis |
11-24-2015
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| Kit with a couple of new friends, Dick and Randy, we met at Columbus Marina. |
We woke early the next morning to heavy, low fog. We had planned to leave with 6 other boats to lock through Demopolis Lock but the Lockmaster wouldn't allow passage in the fog. We waited about an hour and when we got the call we all made our way to the Lock and
each boat was able to tie up to a bollard. Phew! I am really not looking forward to having to "raft up" in a Lock.
We traveled 98 miles that day to Bobby's Fish Camp. It's a funky dock on the side of the River with some Fish Camp Lodges on the hillside. The reason it is so well known is that it is the only dock to tie up to and the only place to take on fuel for a 200 mile stretch. The India Jayne holds 500 gallons of fuel but some boats carry much less and cannot make the entire 200 miles from Demopolis to Mobile on one tank.
Bobby's Fish Camp is also known for the fresh catfish dinners the little restaurant will cook up if there are at least 8 diners. There were 8 of us so we feasted on catfish and cold slaw. We spent the night tied up to the dock but not at the end with electricity! We used the generator to power the heater and went to bed early.
11-25-2015
On Wednesday we left by 6:00 a.m. basically because the other 3 boats were leaving at that time and the Lockmaster wanted us all to come through the Coffeeville Lock together. We've heard stories about the one boat that sleeps in and ends up waiting at the Lock for several hours before the Lockmaster will open up again.
We traveled the last 118 miles to Mobile at a speed of 17 (14.8 knots) miles per hour. Mobile is a very busy port with big boat (commercial and military) traffic. There are so many interesting structures and buildings to see in Mobile after having been on the River for 2 months.
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| Stelth Attack Ships made od aluminum |
But there is nowhere to dock in the Mobile Harbor area so we continued on down and across the Bay for another 20 miles or so to reach Eastern Shore Marine in Fairhope, AL. Boating on the Bay feels really different than the River. The Bay has bigger waves and a long fetch of wind which changes a smooth ride to a choppy, wet ride. AND, it's salt water.
We've been tied up in Fairhope for the last 2 weeks while many jobs are being done on The India Jayne. Eastern Shore Marine is a small yard with sail and power boats. There are liveaboards and transient boaters here as well as commercial shrimp boats and fishing vessels.
NOTE: Other Loopers should know that the staff here at Eastern Shore Marine, headed by Ed and Keith, is professional, courteous, considerate, reasonable, expedient and, above all, competent. Technicians, Mike and Dwell, address, locate and solve boat problems quickly and effectively while making the boat owner feel in good hands and at ease. They have given us great service in a family-like, caring atmosphere.
The Fairhope Yacht Club is just across the narrow channel of Fly Creek. With the Eastern Shore Marine complimentary loaner car we've been able to see a good part of the community. Fairhope is a charming town with some stately bay side homes. It has a village atmosphere that reminds me of Carmel and Mendocino at the same time.
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| There we are to the right of the sport fisher under the roof. |
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| Docktails |
DAYS END |
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| We have been treated to a beautiful sunset every day we've been here |
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| Shrimp Boats |
 
Shrimpers return with their catch, and we've bought
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| West from yacht club into Mobile Bay A FEW GOOD MEALS |
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| Christopher and Stephanie, the Canadian sailors |
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| Bill and Annie from Rock Me Baby, Don and Joanne whose boat name I cannot remember, and me and Kit at Fly Creek Cafe. I am not a fan of the Snapper Cheeks but loved the Grilled Shrimp Bowl and the fried pickles. |
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| Kit making an enduring friendship |
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| Afternoon walk on the dock |
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| Janis and Chris Soper from Paraiso. Great dinner at Gambino's. |
