Tombigbee Grand Adventure Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Bill and Brenda Russell

This is another GRAND ADVENTURE on '"Falcon" our C-Dory 22 cruiser cruising down the Tombigbee launching at Pickwick State Park in the evening of 9/21/2010. We ended our first quest back in April,2010 pulling out just ahead of a troubling weather front and obligations here with church and family. Now with more time we will try again.

There are many C-Dory boats in the Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama area and we invite you to join us. All the C-Dory owner I have met are just great adventurous people, I never met a D-Dory owner I didn't like. We would love to have some of our friends on the Cumberland River and on the Tennessee River to cruise with us.

Our son Robert or grandson Drew will post our progress on this site daily.

Bill and Brenda Russell
870-533-2663 H 870-904-0708 BRENDA C or 870-533-5036 Bill-C

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 8:22 pm Post subject:

Safe travels. Look forward to your posts and progress!

Charlie

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:18 pm Post subject:

Mr. Bill and Miss Brenda.... Now...Pickwick is about 3.5 hours drive....then... you are hitting the "rivers".... which you could go any direction..... Give us a clue... Will you be headed from Pickwick towards Decatur, AL, Demopolis AL or Cadiz KY?

Others in the Nashville and Mt. Juliet area this week too.

Byrdman

Ron Cowan · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject:

Bill, Maybe we will meet on the Tenn-Tom. I shall be headed to Mobile on 9/21/10 with a friend to bring a 40' Bayfield Ketch back up the Tenn-Tom to my subdivision marine at the mouth of the Elk river (Tenn. river M.M. 285). We shall be on the Tenn-Tom about 10 days and I shall keep my eyes peeled for you. Also shall monitor your daily progress when signals are available. Enjoy your trip.
Ron

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 11:06 pm Post subject:

Looks like a fun 10 days there Ron.
Also watching for post on Mr. Bill and the Falcon.

Bill and Brenda Russell · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 7:50 pm Post subject: Day 1 Launch

Falcon launched at Pickwick State Park around 3:30 pm Tuesday. Traveled approximately 14 miles and anchored for the night at Pickwick Lake on Tombigbee Cut @ N34 55.770 W088 14.528. Falcon will continue south tomorrow.

Bill and Brenda Russell · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 8:54 pm Post subject: Day 2

This mornings temperature was 67 degrees as we awoke on Lake Pickwick. We traveled south today and went through a total of 3 lockes. We were delayed at Whiten Lock for 2 hours as divers worked to fix a problem on the Lock and Dam. We are docked for the night at Midway Marina in Fulton, Mississippi. Our coordinates are N34 degrees 17.862
W 088 degrees 25.182. We traveled into town for dinner tonight. We plan to continue south tomorrow.

damason · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:07 pm Post subject: Falcon Cruise

Bill and Brenda Russell:

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Marlene and I (Dave Mason) on CHARITY wish we were cruising with you. Maybe next year we can schedule a gathering with some advance notice and we will join the group. I sure do miss the Gulf gathering.

Byrdman · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:54 pm Post subject:

safe travels to all on the TN river. Great waters. Some of us are going to "gather" on the Cumberland River, around MM 233-236 area "ish" on Friday.

Now... just poking around a thought of maybe taking ALOYSIUS down to the gulf for Thunder on The Gulf boat race week..... 12-17ish Oct. Been a while since I stayed a week on the boat and I think this may be just what I need.

Byrdman

Bill and Brenda Russell · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:50 pm Post subject: DAY 3

We are docked for the night. Coordinates N33.14.136 W 088.17.784 We are at the Bevill lock. We went through 5 locks today, saw multiple pairs of Bald Eagles in trees... continue south tomorrow. We were delayed making our way through the locks and dams because of a fuel barge and slow progress due to the multiple locks and dams. Have not done too much today, hope to make better time tomorrow. Very sparse river traffic today, only 5 barges today .... simply no river traffic. Water is murky and the temperature of the water is 85F. Outside temperature is 80F. It is about to get cool enough to retire for the night. Post again tomorrow.

Byrdman · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:20 am Post subject:

Bill as you are becoming aware of.....there is no need in even attempting to make an attempt at fast travel as long as you are in the "lock-ville" portions of the rivers. Just slow down, enjoy the birds...and wonder about how cool will it be tonight for good sleeping. Or, just find a little junk hole and take a nap along the way as you and barges will often travel the same speeds come the end of the days travel. Most of the families have their kids back in school now, and for the most part, you will now have the river to enjoy by yourself. Just your own private river....unless you get into some trafic of those heading south for the winter months but those will be limited too if the last couple of years are any indication.

Hey Bill.. you may be able to take that long sleve white shirt off and let you pony tail down a few days. Teeth

Enjoy and safe travels....checking in on your post.

Byrdman

thataway · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:46 pm Post subject:

I hope that you are not getting clobbered by the weather I have seen along that area.

The down stream traffic will not be heavy for about a month or more. Most yacht insurances keep you from coming onto the Gulf Coast until after Hurricane season--and the official end is November 30.

It is finally starting to cool off in Pensacola. Today it has been in the high 80's even with some rain. Next week it is susposed to cool down to the mid to low 80's and be more pleasant. However, the threat of hurricanes remain, as long as the gulf water temp is up (usually 80 degrees or more) or the first strong Norther blows through. However, none of these are "certain" criteria of safety. I know of boats which are waiting in Demapolis currently.

Bill and Brenda Russell · Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:17 pm Post subject: SUNDAY NIGHT

Friday Night in Demopolis Marina at the little Inn.

Saturday Night anchored 2 miles north of the Coffeeville Dam.

Sunday Night coordinates N31.06.445 W87.57.701 tied up in 0.9 feet of water to trees in front and back. 42 miles north of Mobile, Alabama. Spent about two hours this morning at Bobby's Fish Camp getting gas. Had to call someone to meet us(and others) there since it was Sunday. Topped off all fuel tanks. It has been raining this afternoon with periods of HARD RAIN. Tuna Fish sandwich for supper tonight.

Plan is to run all the way to Mobile tomorow. Will try to make Dolphin Island and spend the night in the motel.

Hoping for clearer weather and smooth water!!

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:03 pm Post subject:

Great story! Hope you mean Dauphin Island, don't think there is a Dolphin Island....

Charlie

Bill and Brenda Russell · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 7:20 am Post subject: Monday Night

Monday Afternoon @ 3:35

Made the run down to Dauphin Island today and crossed Mobile Bay. A little fog this morning, but otherwise great weather with a perfect temperature of 82F. Peanut butter sandwich for lunch since most of the restaurants are closed for the off-season or only open on the weekends. Had a little trouble with shallow water in the bay, less than 1 foot and the motor kicking up.... had to turn around and stay nearer to the buoys. Currently looking for the motel that we remember from our previous Key West trip on Dauphin Island. Hope they are open for a good bed and a shower and hopefully a good supper. Great to be on the boat for a few days away enjoying the water.