Demopolis, AL

Prepare yourself, Brent went a little overboard with the fog pictures this morning. This first one was in our anchorage at first light looking in front of Second Wave. The photo below is looking aft. 

We determined it wasn't dense enough to wait so we left. With cooler temperatures, warm water, and no wind this is the result.

And we were off! Its not too bad.....

And then it became thicker in places as we snaked around the bends.

Is that a log in the water ahead?

Can you see the tow and his barges??? We couldn't either until he was right upon us.  This is one time AIS is extremely important.  We knew he was coming and had talked to him on the radio because we saw him on our chartplotter.

Oh, there he is!

That's Blue Goose above navigating thru the fog.

Even the sun didn't seem to help burn it off. But it was huge and was sure pretty on the water.

Finally it burned away and just like that it was a clear, calm day.

These are white limestone cliffs that line the waterway in this area.

The waterway is very peaceful and quite scenic in most places. Brent wants to drag a fishing line behind the boat. Not sure what he'd do if he actually caught something or if he was caught catching something - he'd have to have a fishing license for every state we've been in!

Pulling into Demopolis Marina.  It's only lunchtime so today was a much shorter day then we have had in a while.

Some of the boats here are decorated for Halloween.  I told Brent the other day that when you are on the Loop you are so out of touch with holidays.  We don't visit stores or see billboards that promote the holidays. We're in our own little world.

The Captain's Lounge, restrooms/showers, and laundry room are all in the same building at the marina. And there is a large deck above the Captain's Lounge where docktails are held daily at 5:00.

Our next anchorage when we leave Demopolis.

We found Meg and George's names (Viridian) in the sign in book in the lounge when they came through here last year.  They completed their Loop on Sept 29th of this year and are now at home in Huntsville, AL.

We found this information below inside the Lounge describing many of the anchorages between here and Mobile Bay. Second Wave will make use of a few of them - there are no marinas between here and the Bay (about 215 miles by water).

Another docktails....

I don't know why we still seek Mexican food restaurants outside of Texas.  This turned out to be another horrible experience even though the plates looked descent.

We've identified our next stop after Demopolis. Its an anchorage at Bashi Creek (about 70 miles and one Lock south of here). The trouble is that it will hold only about 5 boats. At last count, there are at least 7 boats leaving Demopolis on the same day we are. Sure hope some of them stop elsewhere!

When we arrived in Demopolis we had a package waiting....our Gold Burgee! You replace your white burgee with this one when you cross your wake (and complete the entire Great Loop) which for us will be in Mobile Bay since we came from Texas.  

Even though we have 4 more stops from here we only have one more marina after we reach Mobile Bay.  The rest are anchorages so we had the burgee mailed here so we would have it when we actually finish our Loop.  Can't wait to fly that sucker!!!

Brent took a sneak peak at it below. I hope he didn't just jinx the whole thing!

Above is a photo of the building that houses the Lounge, Restooms/Showers, and Laundry. Above is the outdoor area used for …… Another docktails!

We have been getting quite a few of these pics lately with the clouds reflecting on the water.

Pool at the marina.

Are we in West Texas?? Wish we were but this cotton field is across the street from the marina. It's the first time I have actually felt cotton right from the plant.  Feels very different than my cotton balls from Johnson and Johnson.

The marina is gearing up for Christmas on the River.  They have these at the ready in the dry dock storage.

Haven't seen Canadian Geese since Canada but here they are in AL.

Leaving the marina in the photo below for dinner.

The marina provided a shuttle tonight for those wanting to go to the grocery store, liquor store, etc. We joined John and Marilyn from Blue Goose for dinner at The Bistro.

The menu is below - many good options.

Brent had the West Alabama Fried Rice with a beer from the local Warrior River Brewery and I had the Seafood Tortellini. Both were absolutely delicious!

We had dessert also but it disappeared before any photos were taken.

Happy diners at the table above.

Again we met the owner and he cooked for us. We highly recommend The Bistro the next time you're in Demopolis, Alabama.