Demopolis Yacht Basin

We left Pirates Marina Cove early morning two days ago even though we continued to hear that Demopolis Yacht Basin had no more slips available. We anchored out one night in a quiet peaceful cove at Sumpter Landing with Joe and Punk (boat Carolyn Ann) where 3 other boats joined us. There was some "float" (that's what the towboat captains call debris) in the river, but no more than we are used to on the upper Miss. The next morning brought some fog, but we all left as a group to make the lock 3 miles ahead, motivated to get through the lock before an upstream towboat got there. The fog cleared as we cleared the lock. We listened to the Vikings beat Detroit as we passed the White Cliffs of Epes.

When we arrived at Demopolis, we were not optimistic about getting a slip. It is a relatively small marina that does not take reservations and they have been telling everyone who calls that they are full. Our plan was to just stop for water, ice, and a pump out, but our timing must have been good because they took us, Carolyn Ann, and the other 3 boats we had anchored with as well. Demopolis is a major stop on the loop because it is the last place to get supplies before Mobile, and we were thrilled to get in.

Dempolis Yacht Basin is one happenin' place, at least at this time of year. Steve and I have spent the entire day out on the docks, in the boats and in the restaurant talking to loopers, liveaboards, yoyo's (up the River for the summer and back down to Florida (or the Bahamas) for the winter) and those who just meander around the coastal areas in their boats. We've got the local lowdown on which anchorages are good and which are not for the 200 miles to Mobile and into the Florida Panhandle. Our brains are full and our charts and guidebooks are annotated. We got to tour Damtootin, a remarkable 37 foot Willard, a unique boat that is one of our favorites and quite rare...less than 40 of them were made. Owners Walter and Nancy spend 6 months a year at their home in Minnesota and 6 months cruising on their Willard. We capped off our day dining at the New Orleans Restaurant with Mark and Carol (boat Grateful Dreaming) from Afton, Minnesota. We're starting to feel part of the "cruiser community" as we meet people and then see them again later in the journey. This is a photo of the restaurant. At the crest of the high water last week, the water was up to the floor of the building. As you can see, it's receded almost back to normal, so our plans are to take off tomorrow morning and begin the final section of the "river segment" of the Loop.