The River Ends

by Ron

Yesterday was a big, momentous, fun day. We awoke in a peaceful, wooded anchorage with other loopers on the Tenn-Tom, and by mid-afternoon, we entered Mobile Bay and salt water. We passed mile 0 and have officially completed our mid-USA 1,600 mile river run from St. Paul down to the Gulf of Mexico.

The past few days have had several highlights.

This was our idyllic anchorage for our last night on the rivers. Our friends on Scout took this drone shot.

The night before was a night to remember. We had a 96 mile travel day, our longest of the entire trip planned, and our destination, the only dock within 50 miles, was Bobby’s Fish Camp. A rustic 200 foot dock in the middle of nowhere, but a looper classic spot. Lots of history. Two hours from arriving, I get a text from the Mimi, the 125 foot Burger yacht that often spends summers on the St. Croix. They decided last minute to land at Bobby’s too. Would there be room for anyone else? Should we try to anchor somewhere? We decided to get to Bobby’s … I had a hunch it would work out.

Sure enough, we arrive as the sun is getting low, and Matt, the Mimi Captain, is accommodating of loopers and us. To make room for everyone, he even allowed two 45 foot vessels to raft off him, and a third rafted across his swim platform. There was just enough room for us in front of Mimi on the dock, and we tied lines to the dock and to shore for security. We had 2 boats raft to us for the night too.

Our own drone shot while we enjoyed the sunset on the bow at anchor in Tensaw River Anchorage

We had a chance to visit with Kathy on Mimi, and it was just a fun night. Mimi has St. Croix Yacht Club logos all over it so I wore my yacht club cap of course. The next morning was equally surprising, the Mimi left at 6am for the locks along with a few others, we decided to go at first light. Mimi radioed back the fog was so thick we should stay on the dock, which we did, so then we didn’t second our decision to leave later. There were tows in the area so we were warned we might run into a long lock delay but good fortune prevailed and we got right through when the fog lifted.

Leaving Bobby’s as the fog lifted.
Look at the chart, it shows 7 feet in middle of this side channel, but as we go by you see sand. The water was on the low side
Not as the crow flies!
looking out the boat’s window while in a lock
Coming into Mobile, Alabama and our first salt water

https://reports.nebo.global/e35e2e8b-8ee3-4ef8-952d-015249ae99ed/6e58249e-9c70-44be-a833-770fba26a065.pdf?v=902476252

3 thoughts on “The River Ends”

  2. Hi Ron,
    I have been following you and Nancy on your adventure. It’s amazing.
    I was particularly taken with this most recent post, as I remember well my visit to Bobby’s Fish Camp. And then also my first entry into Mobile Alabama salt with my SeaRay 420. I also recall as you pointed out, waterways down there have an enormously alternating North and South path trying to find the low ground. It is as opposite as possible to a ‘crows fly’ and greatly stretches the miles.
    What an experience eh?
    I know it’s quite a ways off when you get to Marco Island Florida but Julie and I are greatly looking forward to it. If you are anchored in Smokehouse Bay we will want to pick you up and come over to our house. Can loan you a car if needed.
    Again this is way out there in time but if you would rather be in a slip I could help get that secured.
    Anyway, so good to hear your enlightening and also entertaining posts.
    Thanks so much for sharing.
    Continued good luck to you!

    Jeff
    Sent from my iPad

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