DEMOPOLIS-WINTER

Nov. 19-22, 2011---Keith and I made a trip to Demopolis. Drove my new Mustang. What a fine ride! Had the top down most of the time just enjoying the warm fall days. Someone suggested second childhood. Of course we denied the charge.

Bought the California Special GT on Thursday and went to Demopolis on Saturday.

Installed new anchor to replace one we had to cut loose. Foggy before moving the boat to a covered slip for the winter.

Dream Manor looked happy in the new location next to the main walkway.

Closed all the sea cocks. Put two oil heaters in service in the cabin. Shut off pump and drained fresh water lines. Removed King Dome TV tracker to take in for repairs. It makes an undesirable growling noise. May have a bearing problem. Took it with us and returned to Youngsville, LA on Tuesday. Will start adventures on the boat in the Spring.

MERMENTAU

Nov. 16, 2011---Took a drive to a marina near Gueydan, LA. The Mermentaus River Marina is located just off the river by the same name. Had limited possibilites as there was no dock available. Would be required to build a dock and then remove it whenever we left with the boat. Water was shallow near the banks and green growth covered the area that would have been available for dockage. Not what we look for in a marina! Picture shows water can be seen in the narrow channel looking past the vegetation covering the available area.

HOME

Nov. 4, 2011--- Yesterday we accomplished an important task! Pumped out the black water holding tank. It is great that a connection is available on each slip in the new marina.
Today is the 4th day of November already. Drove home to Youngsville, Louisiana. Dream manor will remain in Demopolis for some period of time. Will restart blog entries when boat travels resume.



Not far out of Demopolis we discovered some Alabama art near the hiway. We called it "Chicken in a Tree"

KINGFISHER BAY MARINA

Nov. 1, 2011---Came to realize the correct name for this new marina in Demopolis, Alabama is: Kingfisher Bay Marina. Still in development it is already a very nice marina. Performed some maintenance today. Added enzyme treatment to the fuel tanks. Changed out Separ secondary fuel filter on the starboard engine. Changed oil and filter on the 13 KW generator.

PRIMED

Nov. 1, 2011---Used shop vac to pull diesel through the fuel line from the tank on the port engine. Connected the fuel line and primed the engine. Engine ran a short time and quit again. Found fuel leaking from a seal on the sediment bowl which means it was likely allowing air into the fuel line. Reinstalled the sediment bowel and stopped the leak. Engine runs okay now. Made a trip to Walmart for a few supplies. Captain Tom from "The Thomas B" went with us. Enjoyed visiting with him. Moved our boat from the old marina behind the fuel dock to the new part of the marina.

Looking at the entrance to the new part of the marina. New wash room and showers are nicely done. Slips are laid out well and various sizes are available up to 70'. This is a wonderful improvement for Demopolis. Fred (Marina Manager) has done a great job in getting this project useable and should be very proud. Some additional work is ongoing.

ANCHOR LOST

Oct. 31, 2011---Halloween! Sure enough the spooks grabbed the anchor. It was stuck in some downed trees or something. Whatever the problem that "blankety-blank" anchor refused to come loose so we had to cut the line and let it go.



As the fog lifted we noticed the Thomas B had raised anchor and left the embayment. We caught up with this beautiful boat at the Heflin Lock. Another 30' down and we continued toward Demopolis.


Along a stretch of the TomBigBee Waterway there are some unusual white cliffs.

Nice shot of the white cliffs reflecting on the water.

Gremlins at it again! About 25 miles before reaching Demopolis the port engine quit running. Continued on the starboard engine. Traveled 54 miles today in 5.4 hours. Columbus Marina looked rather inviting after a tough Halloween day.

Somebody in a kayak watched as we managed to get tied up to the fuel dock. Took on 382 gallons of diesel fuel. Managed to get moved over to a slip with electric power. Changed out the primary and secondary fuel filters on the port engine. Still unable to get fuel to the engine. Blew through the lines with compressed air and still could not get fuel to the engine. Will study more on this problem tomorrow. Enough spooks today.

SUMTER LANDING

Oct. 30, 2011---Dream Manor seemed quite content at Columbus Marina. Had fog until 9:00 a.m. as it has lifted about the same time each morning. A group of five boats traveled together through the Stennis Lock located just below the marina. Still going down hill as this lock lowered 27'. Next lock is Bevill located 28 miles down river from Stennis. Just before this lock two of the boats separated from the group and went into Pirates Cove Marina.

Lots of big black crows perched on the electric power towers.

Had to pass behind this tug that was holding some barges in position. Lots of turbulance created by his props.

Two boats behind us coming out of Bevill Lock after being lowered 30'.

Traveled 65 miles today in 7.6 hours.

At mile 270 turned starboard into a secluded area called Sumter Landing. Went past the boat launch to the back of the embayment. Dropped anchor and made sure it would hold. Unfortunately it may be holding too well. Settled in for the night. One of the boats that we traveled with today anchored in the same area but closer to the entrance that can be seen in the distance.