Fri. 1/19/07

We have left the marina in Demopolis and made our way down river to MM 145 on the Black Warrior River. We are tucked into a little creek called Bashi creek. We pulled in and it’s just a little wider than the boat but its 100’ deep. We had to deploy our stern anchor for the first time. We locked thru the Demopolis lock with 3 other boats, a sport fish that took off and left us in the


dust. And a 53 Hatteras which we left in the dust. We caught up with a 33 out island sailboat that left the marina about 3 hours before us. They are tied up to our starboard side and are having a drink with us. We do our last lock tomorrow. It’s about 30 miles down river. If we get in a good day’s run we should be in Mobile on Sunday. Pat fixed some green Chili and pork for dinner.

Achievement Alpha in the News

Some may be wondering about Debbie's comment. Looks like we've successfully interested the media in Mobile. On Tuesday at 10:30 a reporter from NBC 15, Mobile will be out to interview the crew. I'll try and get a clip and post it on my website for all to see. Stay tuned. This is an incredible story, and it's great that the media is starting to take notice. Bobby, there may be a movie in here yet! Be ready to star! I'm sure Dad couldn't think of anyone better to play his part. Vanity dictates it would be someone your age! Love you Dad!

January 19 – Friday

I just saw a big, fat owl perched in a tree on the bank! We are underway on the Tombigbee River about 170 miles from Mobile. No, it isn’t any warmer, the cold and rain caught up with us a few days ago – but at least the sun is out today.

Yesterday was a good day. Lionel and Bob were going to spruce up the girls, Rita, Louise and Mercedes. They needed oil changes and some other stuff. Pat and Victor went to the grocery store and I visited downtown Demopolis. The guys dropped me off on the way – however, it is in walking distance of the Marina. Downtown consists of two streets, about three blocks long, at the center, a park with pond and fountain. Even this time of the year there were some lillies (is there any such thing as winter lillies?) pansies and what looks like ornamental cabbage in bloom. Quite pretty even though it was (as usual) cloudy and sprinkling.

Temperature wasn’t too bad – about mid-50’s I think. It was enjoyable to window shop – I did go in every place that was open – so I guess window-shopping means “just looking”. Everyone was very nice and I got to chat with all of them. At the post office when I asked for directions – the gal pulled out a telephone book – I thought the phone books in Key Largo and Crawfordville were small – this was teeny tiny. Anyway, she gave me instruction. My destination was the Bluff House, a historical antebellum home on the river. I walked the grounds of the old home that eventually winds down to the river. Here the river has what some refer to as the white bluffs. They are probably 15 – 20 feet or so in height, white and line the bank of the river. They are, actually limestone. In the gift shop at the house, I found that the bluffs used to be 40 or so feet higher. In 1953 with the advent of the dam, the water level rose about 40 feet covering most of the bluff.

I treated myself to lunch at the Napoleons Café in the historical Demopolis Inn. Great potato soup and ½ fresh chicken salad sandwich. Pat and Vic picked me up on the way back to the Marina. Definitely a nice few hours.

Our return found the Captain visiting with another cruiser who is wintering here. Pete has lived and traveled for the past 10 years on a 40’ Marine Trader Trawler. He had Bob bring his laptop to his boat so they could download some navigational program that will interface with the GPS. I understand Bob provided a tour of Achievement to Pete and another Captain while we were gone. Needless to say, the planned pampering for the girls didn’t get done. Last evening we all piled in the Marina’s courtesy car and drove to the Red Barn restaurant. It is actually and old barn made into a restaurant. A uniquely different place to dine. Food was good, but the company was better.

Lionel and I jumped ship and opted for a motel room for the night. Sure was nice after sleeping in separate cabins. All and all the stop provided some needed down time for the captain and crew.

This AM (our usually early start) Lionel and I got back on board about 7:00 AM – Yep! Everyone was asleep. I banged on doors and got some mumbled “good mornings”. Lionel (for the second time in his life) has vertigo and is really feeling terrible. Bob, Pat and Victor tended to the girls needs, while I did a couple loads of laundry. Finally off the dock about 10:00AM. For the first time we went through a lock with two other pleasure boaters. The Demopolis Lock was our next to last lock, the last being at Coffeeville 100 some odd miles away.

The river is (an unmolested Tombigbee) wider here with water carved banks of what appears to be clay. Some boat ramps and creeks here and there. More barge traffic than we’ve seen in a while, but no homes or civilizations on this stretch. We have no phone or internet signal and I’m guessing we probably won’t till tomorrow some time.

In spite of our not so early days and mishaps, we are making pretty good time. We expect to be in Mobile Sunday or Monday. Guess the Capt. is correct and we will be home by the end of the month……

Demopolis Yacht Basin

Not much happened today. Pat and Victor went shopping with Mair. Lionel and I stayed on the boat and were supposed to change the oil in all the engines but got caught up in other things and never got it done. It will have to wait for Mobile.

I met some very nice people in the marina. Gave a few tours of the boat. Chatted with a very nice gentleman named Pete Andrews. He was loaded with local knowledge as well as some neat electronic charts which he was more then happy to let me use.

I wish all who follow this Blog will feel free to post comments – we look forward to hearing from each and every one of you! And suggestions are welcome as well. Anything will do. Even a place to drop the hook, (Lord knows we need those). Tomorrow looks like jump off day. We hear the river from here on down to Mobile is very desolate but also very beautiful. More to follow.

Capt Bob

Goodbye Mississippi – Hello Alabama!

January 16th and 17th. Tuesday and Wednesday

Oh, Yes! Everyday is an adventure. After our anchoring for the night adventure (Bob makes it all sound so easy – we did run aground three times – the anchor was down and up again – pitch black – do we know where we are? Nah! – but we are close! Sure gets my heart a pumpin’.) The Capt. and the crew (guys) just sort of take it all in stride. I’m thinking it’s a male thing! However must admit they are right. The hook was dropped – we stopped and slept without incident until early AM when Mercedes quit. I know she has worked her heart and soul out – but the Captain did call her a “Temperamental Bitch” and I think her feelings were hurt. As the Capt. said, we did get an early start.

While he and Lionel were making her (Mercedes) feel better, I saw the lights from a Tug out my window and knew he was headed right for us. I ran to the engine room – asked if we had anchor lights on; the Capt. confirmed we did, I proceeded to run to the cabin door just in case I had to jump overboard when the tug hit. Afterwards I heard complaints that “Sure, you were just going to leave us down (in the engine room) there”. Hey! What’s a girl to do? I did say a tug looked like it was headed for us and then asked if the lights were on. No excitement on their part – only mine. As usual, I over reacted. Will I again? You’re damn right!

Of course more excitement was in store – after our (in my mind) near being crashed into miss-Two Ton Annie decided the boulders, clay and trees were not enough – she now had to keep company with a huge, long cable. Golly, it is amazing how Bob, Lionel, Pat and Victor just keep on truckin. What ever is thrown their way – they deal with it and move on. Sort of like life - lessons to be learned here! We did pass over the State Line to Alabama. The way the line runs, at one time Achievement was in both states at one time.

Our anchorage last night was well before sunset – in the “Old” Tombigee River. Nice, safe and quiet place. We had an early dinner of ribs and by 6:30PM, everyone was ready for bed – by 9:00 everyone was sound asleep.

Today on the water was sort of ordinary; although it may have been the mind set. It was cold and no matter how many times I tried to get my butt outside for the view – Brrr! Just couldn’t do it. Back inside – so other than looking out on occasion from the space-heated warmth of the “sun room” the day was spent indoors.

We got to Demopolis, AL about 1:00PM today – much quicker than I anticipated. Currently we are tied up to a dock at Demopolis Marina. I got to see TV today for the first time since Dec. 23rd in the boaters lounge. My choices were; first weather, second Dr. Phil - guess what? I really don’t miss it.

Achievement, as usual, commands a lot of attention. On our way here the last lock tender expressed big interest as well as a couple from Coco Beach that are here, at the marina. on their trawler. They came over to the boat for a tour. Most question, “What kind is it?” then are intrigued with her history. We have all become very smitten with her and jump at the chance to explain her enchanting past.

Bob, Lionel and I had dinner at the marina restaurant. Pat and Victor decided to stay on board and keep an eye on things. (I’m sure the warmth of the boat and having some quiet time were big deciding factors) Tomorrow we are off to town for groceries and supplies so we will be ready to leave early Friday AM. We have conquered the Tenn-Tom Waterway and Friday will be on the Tombigee River to Mobile. The next 200+ miles are pretty desolate. Not sure if we will have phone or internet signal.

Next marina stop – Mobile, Alabama. We are guessing by Monday (I’m thinking Tuesday). The saga continues….

Wed. 1/17/07

We have landed in Demopolis Ala. We are at the Demopolis Yacht Basin Marina. A very nice group of people. They came out to help us tie up at the fuel dock. We will be staying thru tomorrow, probably leave Friday morning. Today went very well, no hang ups.

We started early and made good time. We ran into a jokester at the Heflin Locks. He told us they were only locking thru 70 and 75 footers today. We were going to have to cut off a couple of feet or no go. Once we got into the lock he grabbed Lionel's ear and wouldn't let go.

Patrick made some great Burritos for lunch they had everything in them. His imagination knows no bounds. We are fueling up as I write. Victor just finished filling the water tank. When I finish with this blog I will try to get the boiler fired up. It is supposed to get down below freezing tonight. i don't think our space heaters will keep up. We are going to sample the local restaurant tonight. Every one needs some time off every once in a while.

Capt. Bob

Tuesday, January 16th

Good evening folks. It looks like we can only get out every other day, and today is the day. Yesterday was one of those funny bad days. it rained all day. It was the 100% chance of rain day we have been out running ever since we left Kentucky Lake Marina. We were glad we were putting all those locks between us and the Ohio River.

We got a call from our river Angel Mike. He informed us that with all the rain they were having the river was expected to rise 10 to 15 feet over night. He said his parking lot would be under water. I'm glad we chose the Tenn. Tom instead of the Mississippi River to head south. All that water has to go somewhere.

We did 6 locks and dropped 265'. With the overcast skies it was dark before we knew it and had to fool around trying to anchor in the dark. Well we ran aground 3 times before we got settled in. she's a strong boat and pulled herself off each time. Pat made chicken cacciatore for dinner; it was excellent.

This morning was the morning from hell. Mercedes quit about 4Am. I got up around 5, got dressed and went down to restart. She cranked right up so I went into the galley and started the coffee. Lionel comes down the stairs just as Mercedes shuts down again. We look at each other and decide we might as well service her so we got to work and changed the fuel filter, oiled her up, topped off the coolant and fired her up. She was happy.

It's still only 5:30 ish so Lionel Whips up some pancakes for breakfast we brew another pot of coffee. It looks like we are going to get away at the first crack of light. I wake up the wheel house, fire up the Cats, we are ready to go. The anchor is up in record time only to find it snagged on the biggest cable you have ever seen. This was at least a 1 inch tow cable and it's wrapped around the flukes of the anchor. Lionel gets help on the foredeck and we start doing circles in the river. It's not very wide and we had already run aground the night before. We played with it for about an hour and ended up slowly going down stream with this cable dragging down both sides of the boat. We finally rigged a hook and line to the cable to lift it off the anchor then do a pirouette with the boat to leave the cable up stream, when it cleared the hook we let it go line and all. Lionel commented that he hopes we have enough line on board so we can throw 20 or so feet away every morning. So much for our early start.

The day has not been lost though. We did get in about 60 miles. We chose a spot to spend the night well in advance of dark. The hook went down about 4:30. Lionel did Ribs on the grill. Patrick made home made apple sauce. Life is good.

Tomorrow we hit Demopolis Alabama We will tie up at a marina. Fuel up, do some shopping, and relax a bit before the run to Mobile.

Capt. Bob