GLORY DAYS ON THE GREAT LOOP: ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS

DAY 153, FRI. NOV. 11, 2011

AM FOG, COOL PM CLEAR, SUNNY

DEP. AL.R. CUTOFF 07:30 ARR. MM.00.0 2:OO, ARR. EASTERN SHORE MARINA, FAIRHOPE, AL 4:20

D. 67.8 sm / 2883.6

Today marks the end of many things and the beginning of many new adventures. When we left the Coffeeville Lock yesterday we saw the end of the fresh water portion of our journey and the beginning of the familiar salt water. We have completed our journey through the western rivers including the Illinois WW, the Mighty Mississippi R. the Ohio R., the Cumberland R., the Tennessee R., the Tennessee-Tombigbee WW, and the Lower Black Warrior –Tombigbee WW, and the Mobile River. It is the end of river currents and the beginning of tides and tidal currents. We crossed the 00.0 mile marker at approximately 2 PM this afternoon, entered the very commercial Mobile R. and proceeded south through Mobile and into the ship channel in Mobile Bay. At day mark #72 we change course to due east (90*) for one mile, then change course to 125* for the 10 mile crossing of Mobile Bay to our destination of Eastern Shore Marina in the town of Fairhope, AL. When we left the AL R. cutoff this morning, the temps were in the low 40’s and there was the usual early morning fog. We were up at 05:30, prepared to leave by 06:00, but were unable to see the entrance to the river and had to wait until 07:30 to leave. So much for an early start. Well, at least we won’t be held up by any locks. Surprise! We were held up by a bridge. The RR bridge at mm 14 was replaced 2 weeks ago and closed the BWTB WW for 2 days. Today they were doing some testing, so after cruising faster than we usually do to make our destination before dark, we get stuck for 75 minutes along with 8 other boats. At 3:45 we pulled up to the fuel dock, topped off the tanks and moved to our assigned slip for the night. WHAT AN ADVENTURE, SO FAR! AMEN.