Friday, Mobile, AL, to Tensas River North, Mile 39.2 on the Mobile River

There were thunderstorms predicted for the area today but we left any way. We were hoping they would miss us but we were wrong. Less than 14 miles, and before the City of Mobile, it started to rain. When the thunder and lightening started we decided to find a closer anchorage. We ended up anchoring at Tensas River Cut-off at Mile 12.2 on the Mobile River. It was raining and blowing pretty good by the time we got settled in. Roy El tied up to our port.

About 13:00 it cleared up so we decided to go another 29 miles to Tensas River North anchorage at Mile 39.2+. There is still a lot of debris in the water but otherwise the river was smooth and it was actually a nice afternoon. We anchored here in about 13 feet of water with 50 anchor rode out.  The current here is very strong but we got a good hold on our anchor so we should be OK.  We will see what the weather brings tomorrow. Hopefully our next travel day will put us  back on schedule. Elvie’s turn to cook tonight.

CO's comments:  It is no fun traveling in a lightening storm; but, it was good to know that our anchor held during the storm with both our boats on one anchor.

AM:
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W87.84209
PM
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W87.94173

Wednesday, Dog River Marina, Mobile Bay, AL

Wednesday: Very foggy morning. We got a ½ hour later start than planned. It started to clear in our anchorage but as soon as we got to the channel it was dense fog again; it was very slow going, thank goodness for radar. By 08:45 the fog lifted for a while. We left Roy El at Orange Beach and headed for Dog River Marina on Mobile Bay. About 09:30 it got real foggy again just as we were entering Mobile Bay and it did not clear up again until 11:00. Mobile Bay was pretty shallow at first but once we got going we had depths any where from 5 to 8 feet. Our wake stirred up a lot of little fish which brought out the birds to feed behind our boat. We also saw several dolphins with young ones. Once we started down the Dog River channel it got pretty shallow again with depths from 2 to 4 feet but we made it OK. The Shipping Channel was very busy today with several ocean going ships.

Once we got to the marina we filled up with fuel and Keith had to change our oil which took the rest of the day. We were told to keep our windows and doors closed at dusk as the "No-see-ums" are really bad here. We had a quiet night just the two of us and we will hook up with Roy El again tomorrow.

5-8-2013 Leaving Ingram Bayou in the fog

5-8-2013 Roy El about 1/16th of mile ahead of us in the dense fog

5-8-2013 Birds following our boat on Mobile Bay

CO's comments:  When we arrived at Dog River a big Sport Fish was just going out to check their engines.  An hour later they were back and all tied up and they left the boat.  I looked out 1/2 hour later and their radar was on and it is still going.  There are an awful lot of people who call themselves professional captains but in my opinion they are just weekend boaters.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013; Anchored at Ingram Bayou, AL

Another beautiful morning on the water.  Roy El left first and we left about 1/2 hour later.  Just after departure and before the Fort Walton bridge a shrimp boat almost ran into us.  He must have had his boat on auto pilot because he was not up on the bridge but instead he was helping 2 other guys with their equipment.  Keith had to speed up to avoid a collision.  As soon as he saw us he was up on the bridge where he belonged.  We traveled through Santa Rosa Sound, Pensacola Bay, Big Lagoon, and Perdido Key.  All were calm except for Big Lagoon was a little choppy.  We went a total of 68 miles today and anchored in Engram Bayou.  We have been here before and it is a beautiful anchorage.

CO 's comments:  Our anchor on this boat is working really good.  Roy El, a 44 foot boat, tied up to our port and did not put his anchor out.  We had winds in excess of 15 knots and it held us both just fine.  The one problem that we had was the XO had a trouble getting the anchor up this morning because it was set so deep. 

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W87.55486

5-7-2013, Roy El under way

5-7-2013 Pretty sail on this catamaran

On our way again

Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4 : We rented a car with Roy and Elvie and brought our cars up to Pebble Isle and left them there and drove back to Panama City.

Sunday, May 5: We celebrated Roy and Elvie’s 50th wedding anniversary with them along with Greg and Carl and Elvie’s friend Pam (Pam flew in this morning so she can help Elvie on the trip up to Pebble Isle).

Monday, May 6:  It was a beautiful morning with lots of sun shine.  When we left the marina we had 2 feet of water under our props.   We went through West Bay with just a light chop and then had a good 25 miles of canal to go through.  We then entered Chocatawatchee Bay and went another 25 miles.  The Bay had very high winds and waves from 1 to 2 feet.  We set way points and used our auto pilot and it worked well.  We got to our anchorage a good 1.5 hours before RoyEl.  The wind and waves were higher when they came through but we all made it safe and sound.  Elvie is cooking dinner for tonight.

CO's comments:  The delivery captain I talked about in the last blog; he ended up getting his 16' outboard sideways in an 18' slip and bumping his neighbors boat.  I sure wouldn't hire him.

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W86.48900

5-5-2013 Sunrise at Pirates Cove Marina

Happy 50th Roy and Elvie

Back row; Elvie and Bobbie and  front row: Pam and Greg

5-5-2013; Dinner at the marina restaurant