Sing it with me now, “We will, we will LOCK you!”

Demopolis, Alabama

Demopolis is a well known holdover for the Fall Migration of boaters, eagerly waiting for hurricane season to officially end. Infamous for its unique customer service …

Demopolis Lock and Dam, lock #149

Another early morning lock.

Bashi Creek – anchored out with Bushranger

Our new Aussie friends, Heather and Mark Rutherford on Bushranger, lead the way to Bashi Creek, another serene anchorage.

Some logs are good …

We spend countless hours watching for – and avoiding – logs, since they can cause serious damage. Once in a while, logs in the river serve to be rather useful.

Log patrol continues

When the apparent “log” is traveling against the current, is more likely an alligator.

Bobby’s Fish Camp – tonight’s dinner special – fish

Although the dock is only long enough for two or three boats, the river is wide, making it easy to raft off.  We heard the record number was 17 boats! Generous, delicious portions of fresh fish are served Thursday through Sunday, so time your arrival.

CoffeeVille Lock and Dam

Drum roll  – we ROCKED the last lock of our loop, a total of 150 since March 1, 2018. Enjoying a little coffee in CoffeeVille, Royal Navy kayaker, Steve Chard hitched a ride. To learn more about Steve Chard “one man, his kayak and 6,000 miles of water” click here. 

Three Rivers – anchored out with Dirt Neighbors

Champagne was uncorked with Bushranger after our final lock.  It was a Double Celebration due to the reunion of Exhale and Utopia, our real life, same street, “dirt” neighbors from Fort Myers.

Thank you, Dale Morgan, for taking Capt. Rick and I to a Fort Myers, FL seminar about the loop, long before you guys bought your beautiful boat.  Utopia started their adventure on the Great Loop on May 1, 2018. Perhaps you heard of Ann, the Basket Lady, who handed out sweets and treats to smiling lock staff.  And now we have mutual friends on Gypsy (see you soon, Susan and Jim Merritt). It is a privilege to cruise with Utopia again, as we all share in the Dream Journey.

Mobile River

Mobile Convention Center

We continued to travel with Bushranger, tying off at the wall of the convention center for two days, a strategic location for a “walk about” of Mobile.

The Rutherford Collection

What a treat, to find the Rutherford Collection.  We didn’t know we were in the company of royalty when we met the Aussies.

Riding in Style.

The Wharf at Orange Beach, Alabama

Congratulations to Beverly Abel, Sea Trek. She’s now a Gold Looper.

Champagne at Orange Beach with Bruce and Beverly from Sea Trek. 

Where are we headed next:  Florida Panhandle, weather permitting.

Where Have We Been So Far? Thanks for asking 🙂

Total Locks completed = 150

• Florida – Lake Okeechobee area: 7
• Virginia – Great Dismal Swamp: 2
• New York – Troy & Champlain Canal: 12
• CANADA – Chambly Canal/Quebec: 9
• CANADA – Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway: 5
• CANADA – Rideau Canal/Ontario: 47
• CANADA – Trent-Severn Waterway: 44
• Illinois – Calumet, Illinois and Ohio Rivers: 8 locks plus 2 dams (wickets thrown down)
• Kentucky – Kentucky Lake Lock and Dam: 1
• Tennessee – Pickwick Lock and Dam: 1
• Tenn-Tombigbee Waterway: 12

States and Provinces traversed on the water, commencing March 1, 2018:

Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama (18)

Canada Provinces (June 10 – August 9): Quebec, Ontario (2).

Side trips (via train, plane or automobile):

Los Angeles (MS [3 – April, May & Sept], Rick [4 – May, June, July, Sept] & Maddie [2 – May, Sept], Cleveland (RMG, MS & Maddie [2- April and July], Craig [April]), St. Charles, St. Louis, and Chattanooga (with B & B), Lookout Mountain & Missionary Ridge, TN by train (with B & B)