Ed.Note: Days 9 to 15 in Demopolis are summarized from the original blog.


Mon.Mar.9:  Realized we’ve been on the water for the past 9 days and only a 3 hr drive from Florence!! Decided to remain here for few days due to high water flooding/current with more debris; at least until flood gauge at Coffeeville Lock, 100 mi. downstream, is below 22ft. – flood gauge is 29ft, but currently is 38ft. At Demopolis Lock, yesterday was 9ft above flood stage [68ft], but should be to 54ft by the 14th[Sat.].   Did maintenance and fender cleaning.


Tues.Mar.10:  Took Courtesy car to Walmart for groceries and buy a small Keurig for good coffee. See photo of sunrise. One of water tanks has its shut-off valve ‘frozen’ partially open; will fix in Dog River Marina, where our new fluxgate compass is waiting.

    We live now in an orchestra of new sounds! Flushing the 'head'/toilet, a vacuum-based system, produces a great 'whoosh' sucking sound when you depress the pedal to open the ball valve drain of the toilet; immediately followed by a series of 'thumping' sounds as the vacuum pump kicks in, escalating into a series of 'banging' noises, not unlike what you might imagine a horny old bear would make trying to hump an empty 50 gal steel drum [bang - bang- bang] - for 5-6 secs. Simultaneously, the water pump comes on to generate water pressure to keep water flowing to refill the bowl; it produces a 'buzzing' vibration sound, like a small jack hammer. The water draining from the sink goes into a sump, with its float switch which triggers another pump to send the drainage overboard - it sounds like a high-pitched constipated chihuahua. It was a bit confusing and not without some anxiety until we learned what each sound represented.

 

Wed.Mar.11: Had to rewire a light on the aft deck [corrosion in connections]. Wx pleasant: 72 degrees, intermittent sun, light breeze, occasional rain.

 

Thurs.Mar.12: Leaking around toilet base noted; hopefully tightening the ring clamp between the pedestal and bowl should help [it did]. Cleaned and dried all the bilges. Summarized our communication devices and the Wi-Fi options on the water: have two Verizon JetPack MiFi 'routers', with 'unlimited' data plans to connect our phones, tablets, laptop, printer, TV, and one of the navigation aids. Using one phone [mine has 70 GB, Marg's has 35] as a hotspot is adequate for general connectivity in the marina and a lot faster than the local free one; then use the JetPack just for on-the-water travel navigation.

 

Fri.Mar.13: Walmart and Dollar General sold out of masks and sanitizer here; and toilet paper disappearing fast. No confirmed coronavirus cases in Alabama yet.

    Used the marinas dockside pumpout system to empty our holding [septic] tank, which holds the flushed products from our Vacuflush ‘heads’ [see photo]; after realizing its gauge was wrong.  'The Head' comes from British sailing days where sailors used a hole in a platform on either side of the bowsprit, at the bow, where the boat's 'figurehead' was mounted. So using the 'head' referred to going to the 'hole' by the figurehead. So, will now pump out weekly, regardless of the gauge; and visually inspect tank level. [watch Robin Williams in the movie 'RV']


Sat.Mar.14:  Decided the boat offers us a unique social quarantine during Covid. Son Chris has what sounds like influenza, does not meet the criteria for covid-19; The only treatment, for flu or covid-19, is supportive care and rest.

    Filled diesel tanks [110 g. each] at $2.70/g; and topped up fresh water tanks. Wx good, intermittent clouds, with light winds, temp 79.

 

Sun.Mar.15: More cleaning and preparation for travelling. Had 'docktails' with loopers on Manifest and planned our travel downriver until we reach Mobile, where they will head SE across Mobile Bay for Orange Beach and we continue due south for Dog River. May have to stay longer in Florida due to Covid pandemic?? Everyone protect yourself with social distancing and be safe.



 Comments:

Wayne  •  10 Mar, 2020: Good thing your profession as a Doctor taught you patience, and it must have rubbed off on Marg?

Meridee  •  10 Mar, 2020: Lol!! This might take you guys 14 months!!!

Helen  •  10 Mar, 2020: Most interesting about the water levels and conditions. It's no wonder the ACE is constantly trying to dredge navigational rivers. Those tree deadheads and other debris can really create havoc on boats....and then there is the mud! Your blog is fascinating and very enjoyable to read!

Wayne - 11 Mar 2020: A real adventure all around, have fun!

Janice - 11 Mar 2020: Well.... you’re not bored. Living the dream is a hoot.

Meridee - 11 Mar 2020: Lol! Maybe pee over the side and poop in the woods! Jump in the river for a bath! Lol! Good thing we are getting deaf in our older ages!!!

Janice - 13 Mar 2020: Your weather is better than here in Yuma where we’re on day 2 of gale force winds, 100% cloud cover and rain.... lots of rain. Still; beats snow & ice.

Deedee - 13 Mar 2020 | 11:32 Waiting for the next very visual explanation of how things work!! Love it!

Duane and Joan - 13 Mar 2020 | 15:38 Sounds like you are having fun but canoeing is a lot simpler!

Candace and Mary Jane - 13 Mar 2020 | 20:25 Demopolis is my birthplace(MJ)!! Enjoy reading your blog. We sure miss you!

Wayne - 14 Mar 2020: Never a dull moment for you two. Our Walmart shelves here in Yuma are also empty of similar items, no TP or sanitizers either. Read some time back that a local newspaper somewhere was including two pages of blank pages in their daily addition hoping to alleviate the TP shortage, sort like the old Eaton's Catalogue times 60 years back. We are also monitoring our situation closely and can be on the road fast if need be. Safe sailing.

Deedee - 15 Mar 2020: Lol

Dick Mon, Mar 16, 2020: I just jumped on here to see how your adventure is progressing. It seems you two have decided to become experts on Demopolis. I hope you soon get on your "weigh" again soon. Unfortunately Mary and I will probably be back in Florence before you get to Sarasota. We are trying to out run the virus. Weather this winter in Sarasota has been wonderful, in the mid 70's to mid 80's almost every day. And, unlike what you have been experiencing, almost no rain. So slow boat it on down to Marina Jacks and enjoy the respite and nice dinner.

Judy - 17 Mar 2020: I think you are wise to stay on the boat! Continue to have fun.