Leroy Anchorage to Alabama River Cutoff 10/21/17

Today will be our second to last on the Tenn-Tom.  Our reservations in Mobile are only starting on Monday so we had a short day today and a shorter day coming tomorrow.  Yes we could have changed the reservations but what's the rush?  We stopped around 2:00 and anchored for the evening on the side of the river. We originally had intended to anchor in the Alabama River cutoff but once we entered the narrow river it was deep enough but not very wide and all I had was visions of some guy in a bass boat doing about 60 mph coming around the corner and crashing into us.  We had seen many bass boats going up and down the river and this looked like a spot they would like.  So we turned around with the bow almost touching the shore and headed back out into the river.

Again we feel having the AIS makes us visible to the tows and that is really where the danger is.  We were not close to the sailing line and the tows all passed around a 100 yards off of our side. It amazes me that when they navigate at night they do not use a spotlight or any means of seeing the shoreline or marks except radar and their chart plotters. Tonight was a moonless night, clear but no moon which makes it very dark in the middle of nowhere.  None of the marks are lite here and they are not numbered, nor very well painted so that they stand out.  I guess thats why these guys are the professionals.  

Then it was time to go to work. We have been working part time on this upholstery project for about three weeks now and today was the day we were going to finish.  Debbie sewed the last pieces of material together and we stapled all of the pieces in place.  Then it was time to reassemble all of the components.  Also while everything was out we vacuumed under all of the area where the pieces go and put all of the screws back in holding the tops onto the bases.  We are very pleased with the outcome and had a nice steak dinner to celebrate the completion of our project.

2:00 O'clock hard at work

3:00 O'clock everything still upside down

5:00 O'clock All done and on to the next project.  Looks great Debbie

Abby was saddened when she was told there would be no shore visit and she would have to do her business on the fake grass mat.  She did and all was well but she will be full of beans (and more) when we do get her to shore.  We probably could have found a place to take her but without an open area to see whats in the woods we don't want to risk her getting eaten by an alligator. Actually I'm sure she can outrun Debbie and I so we would be the ones getting eaten!!