Black Warrior River - the final leg of the trip

The mega yacht Freedom was our beacon of light for a second day in a row.  Originally we thought Freedom would leave very early from Columbus in the dark and we would catch the next lock after them once daylight came around 6:00 a.m.  Hilary had set the alarm clock for 5:30 am and finally rose at 5:40 a.m. to start her morning coffee anticipating a departure time around 6:30-7:00 a.m.  At 5:43 a.m. she noticed Freedom was still on the dock and just preparing to leave.  Suffice to say we set a new record to get off the dock to make the 1st lock with Freedom that morning - still about 1/2 hour before daylight.  Hilary ran to the bridge and turned on the blowers and started unhooking water, electric, lines, etc.  Bert managed to rouse out of bed and get to the bridge to start the engines.  We left the dock at 5:50 a.m. - a mere 7 minutes later and made the 1st lock with Freedom.  After the 2nd lock of the day we bid Freedom goodbye and mid afternoon pulled into our anchorage point for the night.

Sumpter Recreation Area was a  perfect anchorage to experience.  We were the only boat in the pool for the evening.  There was one unoccupied sailboat at anchor and one camper on the shore.  Unlike the 1st night of anchorage many weeks ago at the Olmsted Lock, Hilary had a very peaceful nights sleep in the master stateroom, rather than on the floor on the bridge.  It helped greatly that we arrived at 2:00 in the afternoon - three hours before dark so she could get accustomed to her surroundings.

Sumpter Rec Area - view from the stern

Sumpter Rec Area - view from port

Sumpter Rec area - view from starboard

Sumpter Rec Area - view from bow
Entrance from the Tenn-Tom waterway

 After a peaceful overnight anchorage, we traveled onto Demopolis Yacht Basin which marks the end of our journey down the Tenn-Tom waterway.   On the way we passed the Epes Cliffs, a breathtaking view.  The contrasting white is something we hadn't seen yet on the river.

Epes Cliffs

Epes Cliffs

Epes Cliffs

Epes Cliffs

Upon our arrival at Demopolis, we were greeted by many looper boats we hadn't seen since the Rendezvous  a couple weeks ago and we were thrilled to see them all.  To our surprise, Freedom was also still at the dock.  After an afternoon of periodically visiting with loopers and Freedom's crew, Captain Dan invited Bert and Hilary along with Bill and Chris from Catmandu to have a private tour of Freedom.  It was an amazing tour and we'd guess being allowed to tour a 150' privately owned mega yacht is something very few people get to do.  We have many pictures and only a few shown here.  Freedom even has a 4 story elevator in it.  Every detail was exquisite.   

Bar on the sundeck - Deckhand Allen on the far left.
Don't worry - he's drinking Mountain Dew.

Sun Deck and a gorgeous sunset in the background

One of the dining rooms, salon in the background

Walk in refrigerator - walk in freezer to the right

A view from the bow

Bert/Hilary, Allen, Chris on bow.
Check out the windlass to pull the anchors up.

Pilot House

One of the bars

Bert/Hilary and Bill/Chris in the elevator

After the tour of Freedom, six looper couples went to dinner at the marina restaurant.

Friday morning at 6:00 a.m. we will start the last 217 miles to the Gulf of Mexico (Mobile Bay) with WaterMusic (Joel/Deby).  This last section of the trip to the gulf is on the Black Warrior River and from what we've been told is heavy with commercial traffic.  There are no more marina's until we reach Mobile Bay.  Our goal is to travel 97 miles and traverse one lock to reach Bobby's Fish Camp.  It is a riverside restaurant where loopers are allowed to tie overnight for a premium price of $1.50 per foot.  No electric and no water from what we've been told.  It is an aggressive goal and several anchorage points are identified in case we can't make it that far before darkness falls tomorrow night.  The good news is, we will have a travel buddy for the next few days.

We should reach the Gulf after three or four 10+ hour days.  At that point we will be back at a marina with WiFi access, electric, and water.  Until then, we anchor out.