Day 8 - we left Sumpter Landing anchorage at 08:10, our party of 2 boats with Doc's Aweigh 'breaking trail', and cruised 54 miles to Demopolis, going through only 1 lock, Heflin. Just below the lock, although the river's flood stage had passed, there remained lots of flooding downstream to Demopolis, and higher currents 2-4+ mph. The river was full of debris, mostly twigs, small branches, but a few 'logs', and we had to be vigilant all the time, constantly shifting course to avoid them. Fortunately, we hit nothing.

We arrived in Demopolis at 13:00 [1pm] with flooding still evident here; the water had peaked at 76 ft [a relative gauge reading], 9 ft above flood stage, and was starting to drop; but, the fuel dock was inaccessible due to large tree trunks/branches being pushed into it, so we went straight to our transient [temporary] slip. The marina is the best maintained one we've seen for some time; clean, neat, everything in working order; it has power for our 50 amp cord, a pump-out connection at dockside (which we will utilize before departing), water hookup; it has both covered [as in a roof] and open [as in no roof] transient slips. There is a courtesy car for our use to go shopping [3 miles away] or to restaurants [many marinas provide this service] and in exchange we fill up the gas tank.

We took an open slip, thinking we would leave Monday, but the dockmaster and local folks recommended we wait a few days due to more rain starting Monday night and worsening flooding and debris being predicted; we naively hoped we could get below all this before it hit, but two loopers who left yesterday reported back they should have heeded that advice as the river was full of debris [worse than our experience today] and the next marina 98 miles downstream had flood waters between the dock and facility and you had to wade knee-deep to get to shore; so being somewhat prudent (i.e. chicken-hearted) we opted for the more seniors-choice option and will now take a covered slip in the morning and stay until likely Thursday, after the rains stop and the flood waters are predicted to be dropping. We are truly acquiring a sense of 'non-urgency' or patience-is-a-virtue or relax doofus and enjoy life.

There are 3 other looper boats here: the couple from San Diego that we buddied with; a 2005 46 ft Defever from Chattanooga; and a 46 ft SeaRay from Ohio. Had supper at a Mexican restaurant with the San Diego-ans - good eating, with Margaritas of course.

Comments:

Brooks  Sun, Mar 8, 2020: From the looks of your photos, appears to still be winter up there. You'll be pleased to know sunny, warm weather in store for you here in Florida. Our grass and trees are green! Where are you all planning on crossing the State? Via the Okeechobee Waterway or through the Keys?

Safe cruising, Brooks   Seneca

Susan  •  09 Mar, 2020: Wise you are .....you respect the waters, the weather and the wind !!!

Simpson  •  09 Mar, 2020: When I first looked for the postings I couldn't find them but just read all to date. My compliments to the scribe because they are all interesting and already gives a real feeling of what it must be like beginning such a long journey. I can understand the need for patience and an absolute requirement to diminish any thought of, "gotta get thereitis", wherever "there" might be. Thanks for already making your trip interesting. All is well here except for the anxiety created by the market and unknowns about COVID-19 and its ultimate impact on life in the US. Good Rotary program today with a local lady presenting on her new life in training and using a comfort dog at One Place where abused children and adults might find some peace and comfort. Keep those cards and letters coming. Best to you both,

Simpson