24 November, 2019 Demopolis/Kingfisher Bay marina to Bashi Creek

one lock, 9 hours engine time, 71 SM

Heard diesel rumble at 0530--some of our slip mates getting underway too early.  Sunrise over an hour away.  Think they are trying to make 90 miles to an off river anchorage.  We will call lock at 0630 and see how it looks time wise this morning.

U/W@0706. Winds 5 or less, nice sunrise in clear skies.  Open doors and a green light approaching demopolis lock and dam, a short 3 miles from marina. demopolis dam Lock in 0735/ lock out 0803.  Crazy, outrageous amount of water flowing over the dam, white water with foam exiting the lock.  Lots of debris.  1850 RPM for 7 mph, we are surfing @ 9.1 mph down river.  Making diesel fuel!

Tow at hwy 80 bridge--big wake
2nd tow @192
3rd tow @ 184

Have not seen shore birds; occasional crow.  However two egrets working the lock for stunned fish.  Belted kingfisher hovered mid-air near the boat, then dove head first, coming out of the water with a minnow.  I have seen many kingfishers kayaking in the southern waters of Florida and have never seen one actually catch a fish.  Nice.

there was a kingfisher someplace

@MM 168.6 arrive at Barron’s landing @1304.  Because of the strong down stream currents we arrived earlier than planned.  We are continuing down river another 25 miles or so.

Anchored Bashi creek mm 145.  (bashi) Put a trip line on bow anchor.  Tossed out stern anchor--couple of tries to get stern stuck.  Suspect there are roots in this creek--retrieval may be an issue. 1600 all secure.

1201.1 Hobbs 729 elapsed Sm

Nomad and a sailboat share a very tight anchorage--narrow with trees both sides.

Tight anchorage in Bashi Creek