Well, we made it back to Demopolis and the boat was fine. So with a little elbow grease and picking up, we were ready to go. Of course we had to do a little shopping first. And after all that bad-mouthing of Demopolis I did awhile back, guess what, they do have a Wal-Mart.
So we picked up a few provisions (I love those kind of words in association with a trip; it just makes it sound more adventurous) in a store that I am familiar with. It's a standing laugh around my house when anyone asks, "Where's Mom?", the answer comes back, "Well, Wal-Mart, of course". All joking aside, I plan on having my ashes scattered in the Wal-Mart parking lot closest to my home and that way I'll be certain that my wife will visit me at least once a day.
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| Eric (Dad) joins the crew at Demopolis |
Our crew has changed for this leg of the trip. Wayne wasn't able to join us. He, after all, has eight weeks invested in this boat adventure and now has hay in the field and a number of other things to tend to. And, of course, there is the distinct possibility that he has just "HAD ENOUGH", at least for the time being. Hats off to Wayne! The rest of the crew is the same: Ronnie & Mitchell and myself, with the new addition of my son-in-law, Eric. Eric managed to get a few days off and will accompany us, as far as we make it til his vacation days are used...Do I sound a little gun shy? Well, that's the way it goes... if you have been following this blog, you know we have had our fair share of problems. The big note on Eric accompanying us is that Mitchell is just thrilled to have his dad along. What boy wouldn't be.
A quick note about the marina at Demopolis. They are in the process of building a new one. This means just a few yards to the north they have put in a cofferdam, literally digging a big hole and then will let the lake water flood it. The facilities will be new and the docks will be covered, a nice point for the boaters that sit out the hurricane season here. The neat thing we learned is they have a nest of Kingfisher birds there that they have managed not to disturb during the entire building process. In honor of those birds, they are going to name the marina Kingfisher.
The plan was to take our time, wash the boat and sort of let Eric become accustomed to operations in general. However it was so blasted HOT in this part of Alabama that we decided to set sail and get the wind in our face. It was a good idea. A lot cooler traveling along and besides, this boat won't make it to Knoxville sitting at the dock in Demopolis.
With the late start, we just went about forty miles and got caught in a rain storm. To make matters worse, we ran aground (yes, I was driving). We then ended up camping out for the night which is referred to as staying "on the hook". So that is how our first day went.... the bottom line is, we are on our way.
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