Catmandu On The Loop: Tensaw Attitude Changer

Two more locks and we're FREE!!! Sort of. Leaving Demopolis there is...the Demopolis Lock & Dam. No more marinas till Mobile...216 miles! First stop is Bashi Creek, a very narrow creek about 200 feet long that we fit five boats in. Good thing we had good weather.

Demopolis Lock

Lots of twists and turns!

Alligator of the port bow!!!

Coming out to greet us!!

Bashi Creek - four boats anchored ahead of us.

Cheers!!

We depart Bashi in some of the densest fog we've been in durring the trip. It took about an hour for it to clear and we were on our way again to the last lock...Coffeeville Lock & Dam. On the way we had another 'gator siting! Once through Coffeeville the river becomes tidal so we need to start watching depths. Our next anchorage is at an abandon Lock (the one Coffeeville replaced). Interesting the different perspectives you get from guide books...the 'Tenn-Tom Nitty-Gritty Cruise Guide', which is regarded as the bible of the river says don't bother to stop as it's to shallow. On the other had 'Skipper Bob's Cruising Guide says wonderful anchorage. As the group of power boats we were traveling with were of course ahead to check it out we again reaped the benefits of being slow. Report was great anchorage and we can raft off of Lazy Dolphin!

Want to go swimming with me??

Anchored up in Old Lock 1

Tied up next to Lazy Dolphin!

This bird is walking 15 ft off the stern of our boat.

Off into the misty morning.

Next stop was a long run to the mouth of the Tensaw River. Plan is to anchor over night and meet up with our Looper friends Les & Tommy from Attitude Changer. They have graciously invited us to tie Catmandu up to their house boat while we are gone to Northville, MI for Thanksgiving. So the next day we met Les & Tommy on the 'Party Barge' and guided us the two hours down the river. Time out for a comment about Les & Tommy. We didn't think we would find anyone, much less a couple, that we would instantly click with...but we did! Our backgrounds are fairly different but it's like we have been life-long friends!! And their friends became instantly our friends. So we tied Catmandu up and proceeded to get caught up. Les and Tommy have been home now for a couple of weeks after completing the Loop in seven months. They are just getting back into the land groove again. For us that day is far into the future!!