From to Demopolis to Mobile is a long, ditch of zigzagging river and water way...216 miles...at 7.5 mph that takes a while....we had a plan! Demopolis to Bashi Creek to Old Lock one cut off to David Lake and then to Mobile. We left Demopolis at 6AM...made the first lock down with a boat named THE SECOND NOELLE...Dakota was okay...and we used the dinghy to get to a boat ramp and small parking area at Bashi Creek. Passed several working tows...and even a couple of pleasure crafts headed north.

After another long day, we began to notice that when we used the fly bridge steering, there was a leak of fluid from under the steering wheel. Luckily, it was cold enough that we've been using the lower helm anyway. But this could get serious...loss of steering fluid eventually means loss of steering! Not good when you are headed into a busy bay area like Mobile. We'll guard that situation...

 At Lock one cut off, we encountered another boat...with a yellow lab aboard. "Honey" quickly became Dakota's playmate...though she swam to shore to "do it".  Since we had to dinghy our dog, we became the official sitters...hmmmm, how'd that happen???? We decided it wasn't so bad...as they were headed north to Demopolis...we can handle one day.

 

 

 

Somehow those two managed to get in the mud!!!! We have a little shower nozzle on the swim platform...so Dakota got rinsed off before coming aboard...but the dinghy didn't fair so well!





Then about 5ish, here came THE SECOND NOELLE...they went ashore for a little fire and cook out. We enjoyed chatting with them...and Dakota got to see FIRE on our night trip ashore! Made that trip and our early morning run without HONEY...lucky us! Though Dakota was sad to leave.