In light of the flooding on the rivers, they should consider placing Oprah in the middle of Mobile Bay. "You get new props, YOU get new props, and YOU get new props!!" I know of scant few boaters who have eluded the obstacles and ended their journey down the rivers without needing at least some repairs. Remember, I'm traveling with a very handsome (sorry Tammy) and capable Captain. We hit a significant something in a well marked channel. Totally pissed and bummed us out, to be truthful. An "are you kidding me???" Sort of moment. But I digress. I've left you out of so much! We found a lovely Anchorage called Kelly's landing where the kids swam with abandon in waters that were for all intents and purposes "cold". We were almost eaten alive by coyotes. Really. It was one of those stories where the minute the sun set, we heard "scrambling" in the woods.... And we went silent. "Uhm, honey? Let's get in the dinghy,. Like NOW.
There was scant internet available for much of the remaining stretch of the Mississippi River or as we made out way onto the Tombigbee River, so many of the memories we created are going to be a blur. I'll try to capture the highlights here. We left Hoppie's Marina as early as the Coffeeville Dam said they didn't have a back-up of barges waiting. Other than Dresden locks where we had to overnight, we have really been lucky with Dams as far as I can remember. We haven't had to wait much at all, despite war stories from other boaters of four to six hour waits at some locks. The river really looked a lot alike as we traveled down, and there wasn't much that was remarkable. We had a couple of anchorage nights before Paducah- nothing spectacular, but we always make the most of the "ground time" we have! The Handsome Captain is always good for a fire, a steady hand as the Littles climb fallen trees of dubious stability, and adult beverages to soften th