We departed the marina at 6am and within 3 miles we arrived at Demopolis Lock and Dam which would be our one lock to traverse for the day. We had radioed ahead before departing so the gates were open and they were waiting for us to slide right in. We descended 59 feet and upon exiting we saw what we believe to be the coolest spillway/dam that we have seen thus far in our boating adventures. The downside of the spillway had a series of very cool looking waterfalls. To add some viewing pleasure there where a large number of pelicans outside of the doors swimming and flying around having their morning breakfast.
Within a mile downriver of the lock we noticed that the starboard engine was running terribly. It was missing badly and would not get to over 2K rpm without back firing and bogging out...ugh! Down to
the salon Erik went while Renee drove from the flybridge on one engine. The couch had to be
removed from the salon in order to adequately access the poorly running engine. All of the plug
were checked to ensure they were installed correctly and tight. The new distributor cap and rotor
were removed to check if one was installed incorrectly or faulty. After those checks the engine was restarted but still was having the same issue. Matt, the marine mechanic, had joked about the timing job that was previously done by a friend of ours back home by just running the engines to speed and adjusting by ear/feel. He stated that timing cannot be properly set without a timing gun. So, with nothing else to consider as the issue Erik loosened the timing nut and turned the distributor
about a half inch. Vrooooommmm.....she started purring like a kitten :-) We were very happy to have that issue resolved fairly quickly and most importantly inexpensively!
Issue number two was discovered soon after. While adjusting the timing we brought the boat up to near full speed (around 30 mph). When we went back up to the fly bridge to continue on we realized that a large portion of the stitching on our fly bridge bimini had all come apart. Darn it....we HAVE to have shade or we would both turn to lobsters and probably melt. We were able to McGyver the bimini back together with a series of 8 clips that we have for hanging towels out to dry. For now we have this under control but it will need attention when we get somewhere with a good canvas shop.
Today's cruise was very scenic and mostly remote. Particularly for the first 40 miles or so there were
continual turns with alternating rocky ledges on one side and beautiful sand bars on the other. Mid
morning Renee went up to the bow and got into the 0 gravity chair to lay out in the sun and enjoy a
nice siesta. Shortly after, she drove while Erik did the same. Ahhhhh.....now this is the life!
We were making good time and on target to arrive at our destination for the day plenty early. It had
gotten very hot again (imagine that in Southern Alabama!), so we decided to stop for a bit and take a
dip the in relatively cool (84 degree) water. We had a nice relaxing cool down and got back moving again. Not even 5 miles after our dip in the river what did we see.....AN ALLIGATOR swimming right in the middle of the river! bahahahha.....Renee just could not believe that she had just been swimming in this water a short ways back. Probably wont see her in the water for a while till we get out into the Gulf :-) Unfortunately, we did not have our cameras ready and the gator went under water when we stopped and turned around to get some pictures. Yep....it's official, we are now in the
true south!
The remainder of the cruise to Bobby's Fish Camp was nice and we started seeing more homes and
campers. Still not many, but way more than we saw the first 60 miles or so. We arrived at Bobby's at about 3pm and went up to the restaurant/office to check in, pay for our slip for the night, and check into the hours of the restaurant. We had skipped lunch so we were both hungry and about ready for an early dinner. This place is definitely charming, but also definitely rustic. The restaurant is cute as a button. We went back down to the boat and got our shower stuff ready. The shower house turned out to be an 8x8 plastic molded shed that was converted into a shower and toilet. The door to the shed/shower did not even have a lock. Did we say that this place is rustic?? Dinner was delicious and did not dissapoint. The catfish was served whole (minus the head) fried up elegantly. The cole slaw was the bomb (best I've ever had!). After dinner we gassed up the fuel tanks and went for a
short 4 mile ride downriver and back. We sit now on the aft deck blogging and enjoying the evening trying our our new Thermacell mosquito protection device. So far so good....no bites YET. We got key lime pie to go for desert. So, I must log off so that i can make a cup of coffee to go with the pie
It has been a wonderful first day and we look forward to being in salt water tomorrow! Here we come dolphins :-)
Let us know what you think of the Thermacell. My dad has them and loves them. You guys look soooo happy!
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