Great Loop Day 079 Nov 15, 2016, Bashi Creek Anchorage to Bobby's Fish Camp, Alabama
Bashi Creek Anchorage to Bobby's Fish Camp, Alabama
“There it is, fog, atmospheric moisture still uncertain in destination, not quite weather and not altogether mood, yet partaking of both.” — Hal Borland
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Day 79 Tuesday, Nov 15, 2016. Bashi Creeks to Bobby's Fish Camp. 26.1 miles. Short-run to here. Took my time, no rush. I left at 6 am. No heavy fog, just a light mist on top of the water. And a lot of bends in the river. No active tows on the river today.
Bashi Creek is much narrower than it looks.
Mickey is on a short leash. No repeat performance as you did back at Bay Springs Marina.
The boat ramp.
Mickey is photobombing me.
Early morning moonset.
Didn’t take long for the M/V Next Adventure to pass me.
Never know what to expect around the next bend. Brings back recollections of PBS Bob Ross, the Happy Painter with his group of happy little trees.
High altitude clouds but no rain in the near forecast.
This tow was docked and not moving.
One of several eagles that inhabit this river.
Called Bobby's Fish Camp on the phone. Laura June answered and said she will be down later this afternoon. I am the first one at the dock. No one was around. Pulled up and tied off. Soon a large cruiser pulls up. I hustled the Sea Marie further down the dock. The fuel pump is on the other end. Other boats are coming in for fuel. The Motor Vessel Ka-Dee-Anna pulls in behind me. This was the boat I got a picture of with the moon above. I meet Ed and Cindy from Anna Maria, Florida. They have done the loop in the past, now returning to Florida from Chattanooga, TN, and a few other places.
Mickey meets Lulu who lives nearby and visits the dock often
Lulu has free reign of the premise and Mickey starts to relax around her. Later in the evening, Mickey and I were about to retire below in the cabin when I hear this clickety-clack of Lulu’s little toenails running on the dock. Comes up to my boat and jumps aboard and runs from the bow to the stern in earnest looking for a handout or perhaps wanting to be a stowaway.
“Sorry, girl, one cat was all I was going to allow on this journey. Maybe the next boater.” Eventually, she gave up and went home.
Ed the Skipper from Ka-Dee-Anna
Soon another boat a large sailboat, the Kakku, pulls up to dock in front of me. This dock is filled up except for a spot to keep the fuel pump open for others. But that's it, no other boats arrive. I meet the captain and his mate, Henry, and Kim from Trinity, Alabama. They are just starting their loop. Great folks, all of them, we exchange boat cards. I hop on board the Ka-Dee-Anna and allow Cindy to download the pictures I took of their boat with the supermoon above them into their computer.
Kim and Henry Garrett from S/V Kakku
Bobby’s Fish Camp
The Bobby’s Fish Camp restaurant only serves its well-known catfish dinners on Thu - Sat. It was a shame we were going to miss it.
Kim walked back to the dock with the Kakku, Sea Marie, and Ka-Dee-Anna.
Internet is available at the dock but the cellphone signal is really weak. I find sitting outside the office the best place to get this out. No telling what cell service will be like and definitely no WiFi. The boaters get together and discuss where to anchor tomorrow. The water level is low and some of the anchorages may not be suitable for larger boats. And me, I can get into places they can't. We settle on going to Three Rivers Lake anchorage. 55 miles away. That's a little over 9 hours going 6mph. No fuel docks till Mobile and that's over 118 miles away. I'm all fueled up and the others say they are fine. We have one more lock to go thru not far from here. That could be a headache if tows are active as that would hold us up. There are not many good anchorages ahead. Let's hope we make good time tomorrow and make Three Rivers before dark. I'm the slowest of the bunch and need to travel 6+ mph. Still, numerous river bends ahead and I'll be cutting them as close as I safely can. Well got to cut this short, I am getting a 6:00 am start and hoping the fog doesn't hinder us. I'll be following Kakku closely for they have radar and AIS to locate tows ahead. To all, Fair winds and gentle seas...
BOAT CARDS
MAP
Comments from 2016:
David West Ahhhh ... "Bobby's Fish Camp" ... it ain't much of a marina. But it is a gold-plated, top-shelf, AAA fish camp. Being the only fuel stop between Demopolis and Mobile Bobby has what we used to call on the farm, "A good thing".
Henry Krzemien RN Just saw a post from Wilson's on the Water who are doing their second loop, have stopped at Bobby's Fish Camp today and there have been some improvements like there is cell phone service now! I missed out on their catfish dinner, they only serve dining customers on Thur, Fri, and Sat.