Bashi Creek

Hello,

We had a total of four boats at our anchorage in Bashi Creek. Of course there were our three boats but we also had a boat from Rhode Island who had left Demopolis the same time we did. Bill and Mary Russell are full time live aboards and have been cruising for several years. Bill is a published author who has written several technical articles related to solar power and it's uses. Their destination is Marathon, Florida where they intend on wintering on their boat called "Harbor Reach".

The morning began under cloudy skies with a forecast of rain the entire day. Unfortunately the forecast proved to be correct and we traveled in the rain for most of the day.

One of the nicest things about our Defever 44 is the ability to drive from the lower and much more environmentally protected helm. I spent most of the day operating from that station while we traveled to Old Lock Number One.

Old Lock Number One looking upstream

Old Lock Number One was one of seventeen locks constructed on the Black Warrior/Tombigbee River system. The work began on the seventeen locks in 1893 and was completed in 1909. Lock Number One began operation in 1908 and continued until 1960 when the river channel was redirected and a new lock  built further upstream.

When the lock was completed in 1908 the lockmasters and their families lived on sight. Unfortunately a tornado in 1955 demolished most of the buildings and they were never rebuilt.

Bill and Mary Russell also anchored at the same location and since we had gotten in early (3pm) I stopped their boat (Harbor Reach) on my way back from walking Nayla and asked if they would join us for docktails at 5pm, of course I would provide transportation. They graciously accepted and it was a good opportunity to meet new friends.

We are following Summer Place back to the river.

The entrance to Old Lock Number One is on the Left Descending Bank (LDB) of the river and is pretty narrow. Once you get inside, the water begins to open up but don't be fooled. Most of the water is shallow so you have to pick your anchorage carefully. The State of Alabama has made some really nice improvements to the area by adding a campsite and small pavilion. Nayla enjoyed the opportunity to exercise!

You can see the light fog on the water as I took this picture before we began to decouple and start our travel. Al and JoAnn Barr's boat (Our Turn) is on the left, Bob and Karen Rutigiliano's boat (Always R Summer Place) is in the middle and that is "Bliss" on the right.You can see my davit for our little dingy hanging over the side of our boat.






As departed Old Lock Number One our next destination would be the Alabama River Cutoff.

Kris and Nayla making sure I stay in the channel.

Thanks for checking in on us.

Rusty