The morning sky dawned clear and blue, a welcome sight after two days of downpour.
We noticed that the water was about three feet deeper than when we first anchored here. That’s a lot of rain.
When we began to pull anchor to resume our trip, we discovered that this 15-foot log had become caught between the anchor chain, snubber line and Monarch’s bow.
Between the two of us, with boat hook and pusher pole, we dislodged it and watched it float away.
And later we passed the log on our way out – at a safe distance.
This private marina on the oxbow had some work boats and some real fixer-uppers. Note the peeled-back roof on the houseboat at far left. Must be a hurricane special!
Once in the main channel again, we noted the considerably higher water had eroded the banks, sometimes causing trees to fall over, and sometimes into the river. We kept a sharp eye out for “floaters.”
We stopped just a short way downriver at the town of Demopolis, at the Demopolis Yacht Basin.
The marina has a rustic Laundromat and a single shower for boaters’ use. But we were happy to have a secure tie-up and use of the marina’s well-worn courtesy car to make the necessary run to a nearby Wal-Mart.
After several dinners aboard, we decided to eat out at this fine dining establishment on the premises. We were pleased with the fresh catfish dinner (there is a big commercial catfish farm nearby) and a nice rib eye steak.
This harbor is a great place for restocking and has a full-service boat yard. Some boaters have even trucked their boats here from up north, to avoid the long water trip. An example of this is Scott, the dock master from Houghton in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We were surprised to see him here, after meeting him up north in July, during our Lake Superior trip.
As the river is high from the rain, and running “hot” (fast current), we decided to spend an extra day here, and let the water settle down some. Fortunately, from the harbor, it is only a short walk to Demopolis’ historic section. So we decided to explore this southern town, with its public square delightfully planted with pansies and snapdragons.
The highlight of this district is Bluff Hall, an antebellum house built in 1832. Bluff Hall was built by slaves of Allen Glover as a wedding present for his daughter, Sarah and her husband. We took a tour of the house, now a museum, which is beautifully preserved with about 75 percent of its original furnishings. Period clothing hung in the armoires, and portraits of the owners graced the walls. Unlike many museums where the rooms are cordoned off and you must peer through the doorways, we could walk freely throughout the rooms.
Now the museum gift shop, this was the original kitchen for Bluff Hall – a separate building, to keep the fire danger away from the main house.
Continuing our walking tour, we saw many classic architectural elements represented in private homes in this neighborhood.
Here is another one of the beautiful historic homes, all built along the bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River – our “highway” through this interesting area.
The morning sky dawned clear and blue, a welcome sight after two days of downpour.
We noticed that the water was about three feet deeper than when we first anchored here. That’s a lot of rain.
When we began to pull anchor to resume our trip, we discovered that this 15-foot log had become caught between the anchor chain, snubber line and Monarch’s bow.
Between the two of us, with boat hook and pusher pole, we dislodged it and watched it float away. 
And later we passed the log on our way out – at a safe distance.
This private marina on the oxbow had some work boats and some real fixer-uppers. Note the peeled-back roof on the houseboat at far left. Must be a hurricane special!
Once in the main channel again, we noted the considerably higher water had eroded the banks, sometimes causing trees to fall over, and sometimes into the river. We kept a sharp eye out for “floaters.”
We stopped just a short way downriver at the town of Demopolis, at the Demopolis Yacht Basin.
The marina has a rustic Laundromat and a single shower for boaters’ use. But we were happy to have a secure tie-up and use of the marina’s well-worn courtesy car to make the necessary run to a nearby Wal-Mart.
After several dinners aboard, we decided to eat out at this fine dining establishment on the premises. We were pleased with the fresh catfish dinner (there is a big commercial catfish farm nearby) and a nice rib eye steak.
This harbor is a great place for restocking and has a full-service boat yard. Some boaters have even trucked their boats here from up north, to avoid the long water trip. An example of this is Scott, the dock master from Houghton in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We were surprised to see him here, after meeting him up north in July, during our Lake Superior trip.
As the river is high from the rain, and running “hot” (fast current), we decided to spend an extra day here, and let the water settle down some. Fortunately, from the harbor, it is only a short walk to Demopolis’ historic section. So we decided to explore this southern town, with its public square delightfully planted with pansies and snapdragons.
The highlight of this district is Bluff Hall, an antebellum house built in 1832. Bluff Hall was built by slaves of Allen Glover as a wedding present for his daughter, Sarah and her husband. We took a tour of the house, now a museum, which is beautifully preserved with about 75 percent of its original furnishings. Period clothing hung in the armoires, and portraits of the owners graced the walls. Unlike many museums where the rooms are cordoned off and you must peer through the doorways, we could walk freely throughout the rooms.
Now the museum gift shop, this was the original kitchen for Bluff Hall – a separate building, to keep the fire danger away from the main house.
Continuing our walking tour, we saw many classic architectural elements represented in private homes in this neighborhood.
Here is another one of the beautiful historic homes, all built along the bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River – our “highway” through this interesting area.
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