The Adventures of SaSea Sally!: Bobby's Fishcamp to Mobile, AL

Fine dock at Bobby's Fish Camp

Bobby's Rules

Lock with several gates and a large unregulated spillway

Hi! Will try to catch you up since my last email on Halloween. We departed Bobby's Fish Camp on Friday, November 1, motoring first through the Coffeyville Lock and then heading down river. Because there was no marina for overnight docking, our choice was anchoring out or anchoring out, which of course leaves no choice but to do so. After nosing into one spot and grounding, we proceeded to the Alabama River cut-off which was probably 70 feet wide with trees overhanging both banks by 10+ feet. This left barely enough room to turn the boat around.

Sailboat from Scotland. Told the lockmaster their next lock was the Panama Canal

Clay found a prime spot near a fallen tree after deciding that setting 2 anchors had little appeal (having never set a 2nd anchor before). So Clay says to Sally, "I'm gonna back you into that tree, and you're gonna tie a rope around it." Right, Captain. He'd chosen an old rope in the eventuality of having to cut loose the next morning. I soon found myself in the midst of leaves, mud, twigs/branches breaking against the side of the boat, cobwebs and Spanish moss as he used his stern thruster to side me up against the fork in the tree. "Get me outta here," I hollered (I hesitate to use 'screamed' but it was more a scream!) Now muddy and scratched, Sally decides she needs to be far more discriminating in accepting the Captain's ideas!

Alabama River cut-off on Chartplotter screen

A short while later, we had 2 anchors set (to accommodate current and changing winds in a narrow river plus a new challenge, tides) and were ready to enjoy the evening, whatever it brought. We found that setting the second anchor was relatively easy once Clay had retrieved the anchor from the stern hatch which was barely wide enough to accommodate his body. We grilled out steaks and zucchini, and used the stove (which translates to generator) for only a short while to stoke up some Trader Joe's rice blend.

Alabama River cut-off

Alabama River cut-off at sunset

Our next day's cruise was about 5 hours, arriving for yet another anchoring out Saturday night, this time in Brier Creek off the Tannis River cutoff at mile marker (MM) 12 on the Mobile River. Clay scouts out (and converses with other Loopers) to decide our overnight spots, and he's quite good at it. In this case, we are nearing Mobile Bay and have to make it diagonally across the bay from downtown Mobile to Dog River tomorrow, the crossing determined by winds and weather. So, this spot at MM 12 allows for a nice overnight and crossing on Sunday morning, to arrive at Turner Marina at a time determined by those winds and weather, but giving us ample time to do so.

Morning on the AL River cut-off

We arrived at noon'ish at Turner Marina after a pumpout and gassing to the tune of 200+ gallons of diesel at the adjacent Dog River Marina. Arriving close behind us was Sanctuary (Meg and Jim), another Looper boat, and then later afternoon After Taxes (Cathy and Randy). After Taxes had run out of gas in the downtown Mobile area and had obviously had an adventure; Meg commented to me, "Wonder what Cathy had to say about that!" As I said, Clay is a good planner; I can only guess what I'd have been saying!

Arriving at Turner and now exposed to bay tides and winds, we were taught skills in tying down to accommodate both! I went for an afternoon jog across the bridge over Dog River then arrived back at the boat to determine dinner options. Our choices for eating out were slim pickings with the nearby Mobile Yacht Club serving thru brunch on Sunday (today) and other dining opportunities (The River Shack and The Mariner) so near yet so far (I could swim there by crossing the river but too far too walk/bike and the only other option was the dinghy where Clay and I have yet to master the launch of such). So, I grilled salmon on the George Foreman, and we enjoyed eating in.

Faye and Eddie Johnston

Monday dawned with laundry on the docket for most all of the Looper gals. So, we gals took advantage of the outdoor, but under cover (kinda like a carport), laundry facilities to wash and dry laundry and to compared adventures since last we met. Our USPS mail arrangements are working out nicely (thanks, Tonya!), so I also used the opportunity to log on to the Turner internet (also VZ for security) and got some mail retrieved and bills paid. Clay had invited Mardi Gras friends Faye and Eddie for drinks aboard Monday early eve, then dinner with them at The Mariner. Such fun renewing acquaintances and catching up! Kudos to Jean and David for introducing us to Faye and Eddie (just wish the Dorris' had been here to join us!).

One of our fellow Loopers traveled 220 miles from Demopolis, AL and ran out of gas in the middle of the Mobile port. He was able to secure the boat and found a workman who took him to get enough gas to finish the trip across Mobile Bay.

Tuesday brought the excitement of our upcoming trip to St. Louis and LAMO to celebrate John's 30th birthday. We spent much of the day in preparation for our Wednesday morning departure and were picked up by Enterprise later afternoon to access our rental car at their location near Turner Marina. (Through the app 'Active Captain,' Clay has received numerous suggestions, one of which is the service provided by Enterprise in accommodating Loopers). Now having wheels, Clay and I had the opportunity to do a bit of shopping and then to dine at Wintzell's downtown Mobile where we'd been with Jean and David.

Wednesday morning...we're homeward bound to celebrate John's birthday!

Other pictures from the Mobile AL area: