Day 37: Demopolis to Bobby's Fish Camp, AL

Hello, Hello from the crew of TGL. Or perhaps I should say the SRC of TGL. If you guessed Slow Roasted Crew, you are correct!

Yesterday's 100-degree temps weren't unexpected but we were prepared with sunscreen, sunglasses, and copious amounts of water. Like yesterday, we had a good strong breeze to help cool things down. Sure, it was a hot breeze in the afternoon, but we were thankful just the same.

We passed a quiet night in Demopolis, arriving at the end of the Tennessee-Tombigbee just north of the large commercial fuel dock and its prominent two-story metal pilings designed to fend off large push boats taking on fuel. Regrettably, none were fueling when we arrived, so we couldn't request a tour. This morning we were proceeding south, and sometimes east, north, and west, as the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway bends back and forth through Alabama. It occurred to me yesterday that when the migration of Loopers and Midwest snowbirds begins in the Fall, the foliage all along the banks must be gorgeous!

Today we had barge traffic again, going both upbound and downbound, with very little recreational traffic. We've slowed to 7.7-7.8 knots, burning 2.5 gph and were enjoying the relatively quiet ride. The wind and water noise on the flybridge can wear on you, and a break like this one is easy on the ears and eyes. 

We spotted a diverse selection of wildlife today, including a bobcat swimming across the waterway and scooting up the bank to escape our approach. Also saw an American Eagle paralleling our course that pulled ahead, banked into a starboard turn, and appeared headed right at us! But he banked once more for the shoreline and seemed to be hunting for the next meal. More unusual still were the 20 or more white egrets lined up on the safety rails atop the lock we transited this morning. As we entered and got close, three or four took to the air in succession, seemingly choreographed like an old Busby Berkley/Esther Williams musical. Before long, they all took to the air with a grace almost indescribable, gliding to the safety of the lock gates. A very enjoyable and sightful day.

We are tied up for our last overnight at Bobby’s Fish Camp in front of a DeFever 52 from Corpus Christi, TX. It is wonderful here and with Capt Jeremy we’d love to extend our stay, but we are carrying on tomorrow to get in Fairhope, AL late afternoon at Eastern Shore Marine where Ed Wall will host The Greatest Loop for a few days and hold a little open house from noon to 2pm on Sunday, July 1^st. Join us fellow loopers!