Velsignet is Secure

"Lock master, Velsignet is secure."  Our boat is tied to the wall of the Coffeeville Lock, ready to be lowered and released to continue our way down the Tombigbee River towards Mobile, Alabama.  Once secure, we expect a confirming "Roger, Captain" from the lock master.  Today, however, the lock master gave us an alarming response:  "Captain, it's not too late to turn around."

It's 216 miles from Demopolis to Mobile, 3 full days of cruising in pretty isolated territory. We traveled 70 miles yesterday between the hours of 7 am and 3 pm.  Two more long days to Mobile and then another day of cruising to Orange Beach where we'll celebrate New Year's with Mike's parents.  Our intent is to move as many miles as we can in this long isolated stretch of water during the daylight hours and anchor out each night.

Today, Thursday, December 27th, is not going according to our plans.  Our 5:30 am alarm didn't go off so we woke up at 6:30 am, the time we'd hoped to be back on the river.  At 10 am, about an hour from the Coffeeville Lock, we were following a tug and barge.  Commercial vessels take priority for passing through locks, which meant a long wait before we would be allowed through the lock to continue downriver.

Passing Bobby's Fish Camp at 10:30 am (Bobby's is the one and only stop on the Tombigbee between Demopolis and Mobile, AL for fuel, food and water; "famous" for its catfish dinners; and...uh... its "character"), Kermit and Kathy (M/V "Good Karma"), docked at Bobby's and assuming we'd be doing the same for the night, hailed us via our VHF radio ready to help us with lines.  Threatening weather was approaching and they were staying put. We were aware of the stormy forecast and yet we thanked them for their offer and told them we were moving on (we've got lots more miles to cover today!).

With the weather now on our minds and knowing the limited anchorage sites downstream, we  continued towards the nearby Coffeeville Lock.  Once inside the lock the weather forecast was again brought up for discussion, this time by the lock master.  The Coffeeville Lock master offered to show us the weather radar as indicated on his phone.  He stated that while the river level above the lock will remain stable, the expected heavy rains in this afternoon's forecast would increase the river level downstream between 2 and 10 feet, in addition to the possibility of damaging "drift" or debris.  While we felt confident we could handle the rain and wind, we have no experience in flooding waters.  Sensing our concern (and perhaps a bit of continuing indecisiveness), the lock master said the magic words, "If it were my boat....", and the decision was made.

Velsignet docked at Bobby's Fish Camp before noon today.  Kermit and Kathy were right there

to help us with the lines.  Tomorrow will be a new day with the weather system passed us. We will set out once again with plans, aware that they may again be changed.  Until then, we're safe and sound in our boat.  Velsignet is once again secure.

This is Bobby's Fish Camp.

Mike met the guy who lives in the motorhome at Bobby's; You'll have to ask him about their conversation.
  (Sometimes, one hears way more information than one should!)

The restaurant is noted for its catfish dinners.  Too bad (and so sad) Brenda doesn't eat catfish.

We will meet Kermit and Kathy here for happy hour, however.

Character, character and character!

Had enough yet?

"Good Karma" and "Velsignet" at the Bobby's Fish Camp dock.  By the way, should more boats come in and there isn't enough dock space, boats will tie onto each other AND
Bobby's Fish Camp charge those boats the same dock price as the others!