12/2/19
Our Thanksgiving was absolutely fabulous. All our children and grandchildren were there. Most everyone felt good. Lauren had strep and Lane and Haynes were dragging part of the time, but otherwise we enjoyed each other and the outdoors. Thanksgiving Day, my sister and her family joined us for good grub and hanging out together. We had a great outdoor fire at the fire pit. As the sun set, it seemed everyone wanted the moment to last just a little longer. I am a blessed man to have family that cares for, and actually likes, one another. I’m grateful.
Honey teaching Lane and Haynes how to prep collard greens. Now if she can teach them how to eat them. 
When I asked Stella if she wanted to ride Poppy’s buggy, she said no, but wanted to ride Kroger’s buggy. Clint, Mali, and half of my favorite grandchildren.
Poppy gets the Will snuggles 
My assistant tractor driver can now open and close the gate. Good job, Haynes! 
Miss Stella didn’t have an LSU outfit, so she had to settle for this. 
Poor kid…never happy. 
Fantasy of Lights, Callaway Gardens
We left the farm mid-morning, headed back to Demopolis in the rental car. Amanda’s brother was undergoing surgery as we drove. Pretty extensive, the initial report is that things went as hoped. We will have to wait for details over the next day or two. We arrived in Demopolis around 3 pm, made the grocery run to restock the bare cupboard, turned in the rental car, and unpacked for the next leg. Amanda took a short walk and I met a couple guys, John and Jamie, from other boats who were also southbound. They said we were welcome to join them at the marina office to plan and coordinate the Demopolis Lock passage with the other southbounders. So our new friends (boats) are Jo-ca, Bliss, Moon Dance, Onward, and Mar Sea. Anchorages and marinas get further apart in this area, so it’s comforting to join forces with other boats looking out for one another on the long days. This group, for the most part, was not comprised of Looper boats. We learned that some of these guys take their boats south for the winter each year from this western side of the Loop. They travel this section of the Tombigbee frequently, so they know the trouble spots, the anchorages, marinas, etc. Their experience and knowledge was quite helpful in our discussion. Their fruitful insight, and the opportunity for camaraderie, influenced and improved our game plan. We agreed to pull out at 6:30 am Tuesday morning, assuming clear passage at the lock.
12/3/19
Sunrise as we left Demopolis 
Demopolis Water Tank
At 6:00 am, Moon Dance called us on the radio and said the lockmaster would lock us through at 6:30 am. We injected our coffee (for the safety of all parties) and pulled out of the slip shortly thereafter. Arriving at the lock at 6:35, the lockmaster bluntly told us exactly how he expected us to approach, secure, and go through his lock. Not rude, but absolutely no non-sense, and direct, we submitted to his authority, and got through without excitement or issue. I learned later this guy has a reputation for such crassness, and has even been fired for his treatment of boaters. But most boaters with any experience can attest, you can argue with these guys and lose, or you can be kind, and probably still lose. Since they are the boss, and they know they are, the best way to get through the obstacle is to kill them with kindness. The practice obviously applies to more than getting through a lock.
The Tombigbee River will take us to Mobile Bay. That will be in 3 days, based on the new game plan. Our anchorage/ destination for today, with the group, will be Bashi Creek.
Highway 80 bridge over the Tombigbee. I have crossed this bridge probably 100 times since graduating from college, going back home. Never thought I would someday go under it. 
The red clay in the mix… 
Vertical lift railway bridge, no longer in use. 
This eagle was especially proud today, after his relatives’ victory over the Crimson Tide Saturday.
With only the one lock (Demopolis), the whole day was spent moving and not waiting. We covered 65 NM and arrived at Bashi before 2 pm. With a nice current on our stern, we averaged 9.4 knots, just under light speed, in our world. I think we only passed 2 tows and with only 1 lock, we covered a lot of miles and still arrived early enough in the day to see where we are and what is going on.
The tows churn the water. Nothing compared to the Mississippi, but still deserves attention as you reenter behind. The current will steer your boat where you don’t want to go.
My honey has a cold, but presses on for the cause.
We pulled into the creek, very narrow, with little current, just off the river. The trees formed a slight canopy above the water, making the feel of the creek narrower than it really is. The others decided to stay on the side of the river out of the channel. With 4 other boats needing that space, I volunteered to take the creek, giving them plenty of room to anchor end to end, facing into the current.
Looks like places where we used to go duck hunting. All I’m doing is staying out of the way of the barges.
There was plenty of depth, so I moved to a position that would accommodate another boat, if one showed up. We manipulated the anchors to keep the stern from swinging into the shoreline and was set for the night. There was a sense of being at a marina, because it was so quiet and still.
As often is the case in rural areas, not much TV, internet, or phone, so entertainment is scarce. I grilled burgers at 4:30, read the 3 month-old magazines on the boat, and shut down pretty early. Amanda and I both are fighting cold/sinus issues, trying to stay well. Amanda’s is worse, so she was out by 8:00 and me just a little later.