So I'm Moving to Florida - By Boat

[guardiandashi]

Yeah, this is what surprises me. Our waterways are nowhere near as populated as yours, and not generally seen as a good way to move freight. I'm just used to seeing diesel where ever there is petroleum. I find it odd when it's not there, that's all.

oh I don't disagree.  I suspect the reality is a bit more complicated, and most of the MARINAS, made a calculated decision to not bother restoring their diesel capacity, while the road side stations that provide fuel for semis, trucks and automobiles had their diesel restored quickly, but part of rebs issue is he doesn't really have an easy way to get to those stations, so the alternate route he is taking is more viable

[Cannonshop]

oh I don't disagree.  I suspect the reality is a bit more complicated, and most of the MARINAS, made a calculated decision to not bother restoring their diesel capacity, while the road side stations that provide fuel for semis, trucks and automobiles had their diesel restored quickly, but part of rebs issue is he doesn't really have an easy way to get to those stations, so the alternate route he is taking is more viable

arguably prettier too, and more of an adventure (in the good sense, not the bad).

Rebs, it's too bad you weren't recording this trip for something like Youtube, it's the kind of thing that gets sponsorships and makes money.

[rebs]

I document it here and on FakeBook.  I might do a blog or a YouTube channel when we get to the islands, though.

And as for diesel demand on the Mississippi,  it's a "build it and they will come" situation.   Right now there's no demand for it from pleasure craft because pleasure craft aren't really going that way.   But demand on the Tennessee-Tombigbee is through the roof because of the situation.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

I've heard that the lower Mississippi has really become dominated by shipping traffic.

[Daryk]

Was it ever not dominated by shipping? 

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

There used to be more variety of boat traffic on the river.  From what I've heard, shipping is very close to being the only thing left- the fishing and human transportation industries have both withered.

[Daryk]

That makes sense, thanks! 

[rebs]

Yep!  Thusly, we will be sneaking over to New Orleans on the Gulf.  I've never been there, I will not be cheated by lack of fuel supply!

[rebs]

So we stopped for the night at a place called Midway Marina, in Fulton, Mississippi.  Got two bars on my phone, decent wifi, and hot showers.  Life is pretty good!

So last night we anchored out on a blue lake pictured below.  Beautiful but austere.  No phone service.  When people use the word "backwater" they were talking about this lake in northeastern Mississippi, I'm absolutely certain.

Next we were in a lock that took us down off of the southern edges of Appalachia 92 feet.

Then my morning had a rose glow and a full moon.  I was too tired to stay up and see the lunar eclipse, but with mornings like this, who cares.

And lastly, I have a love of sunsets.  Everyone who knows me knows that.

[Daryk]

92 feet! 

[rebs]

Fourth largest lock in the US.  "Large" being measured in drop/lift, not area.

[Nightlord01]

Very nice Rebs, love that sunset. They just look better on water.

[rebs]

Got an early start this morning, and we're already anchored for the night north of Aberdeen, Mississippi.   It's supposed to storm after sundown and continue raining until 2AM.

Here's a picture of the tributary we're anchored on.  The calm before the storm.

[Daryk]

Calm indeed... I hope the storm isn't too bad..

[DEZOAT]

  Thanks for the pics. Oh by the way did you and Dad see the lunar Eclipse on Friday?

[rebs]

No, I was tired and slept through the eclipse.  The picture with the moon is from the morning after.

[rebs]

Calm indeed... I hope the storm isn't too bad..

It wasn't too bad.  It rained all night accompanied by thunder and lightning, but the winds weren't strong, thankfully.   

Still, it's colder this morning, and tomorrow morning will be even colder yet.  But that's all why we're going as far south as we can.

Relatively short run today.  We're headed to Columbus Marina in the city of Columbus, Mississippi.  Showers, laundry, wifi, and a night of not worrying about an anchor.

[rebs]

And that's that.  We're docked at Columbus Marina.  Ready for pizza, showers and laundry, in more or less that order. 

[rebs]

Pictures of our boat in the lock at Pickwick Dam.  Note that the mast is still down for getting under bridges along the way.

[Daryk]

That's a good size boat! 

[rebs]

Yeah, it's a Hunter.  33 ft length, 12 wide.  We each have our own cabins that sleep two.  Has a full but small kitchen (the galley), one head, and a good sized sitting area where I have my laptop.

Let me go get pictures...

Top, the part of the sitting area, the galley, and the companion way (entrance in normal parlance).

Middle, my cabin/bunk.

Bottom, the boat as pictured in the Hammond, Indiana,  the marina was attached to the Horseshoe Casino.  At the time we had just constructed the braces to hold up the mast ourselves.

[Nightlord01]

Pictures of our boat in the lock at Pickwick Dam.  Note that the mast is still down for getting under bridges along the way.

If you don't mind me asking, how long does it take you to step/unstep the mast?

[Daryk]

Nice pics that will help with scale for those just joining the conversation! 

[rebs]

If you don't mind me asking, how long does it take you to step/unstep the mast?

Provided we have use of a gin pole, it takes an hour and a half to set it up, including all the stays.  Then we just have to unfurl the main sail and raise the jib. 

We're headed for Turner Marina in Mobile, Alabama,  which does indeed have a gin pole.  It will cost about $400 for use of the equipment and a small crew of two guys to help us, but it's just one more cost of having a boat.

[Nightlord01]

Provided we have use of a gin pole, it takes an hour and a half to set it up, including all the stays.  Then we just have to unfurl the main sail and raise the jib. 

We're headed for Turner Marina in Mobile, Alabama,  which does indeed have a gin pole.  It will cost about $400 for use of the equipment and a small crew of two guys to help us, but it's just one more cost of having a boat.

Boat: Acronym meaning Break Out Another Thousand...

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Boat: Acronym meaning Break Out Another Thousand...

Boat: A hole in the water that you pour money into.

[rebs]

Boat: Acronym meaning Break Out Another Thousand...

Boat: A hole in the water that you pour money into.

The two best days of a boater's life are the day they buy their boat, and the day they sell it.

However, I would argue with this notion, being as this adventure has been so much fun.  But then, I'm not the boat owner, my dad is.

[rebs]

Today we left Mississippi, and we are now in central Alabama.  We're anchored out again tonight, about to eat fresh made burgers and fries.  Nothing like galley cooking after a long day (7:30am to 5:00pm).

Check out this picture of a US Army Corps of Engineers tug pushing two barges, one with a huge crane, and the other with stone to shore up parts of the river and canals.  These men and women do great work, let me tell you first hand. 

[Daryk]

Glad to see them at work! 

[Wrangler]

You should publish diary of you're journey.  With these pictures, it would be a interesting read.