November 4, 2009

Port Departed: Anchorage Bates Lake
Port Arrived: Turner Marina, Dog River Mobile AL
Miles Traveled Today: 63 miles
Total Miles Traveled to Date: 1010
Hours Traveled Today: 9.5
Total Hours Traveled: 165.5

Up early. Decided to weight anchor at 6:30AM and make coffee and eat breakfast on the move. Skipped coffee and had a bowl of Raisin Bran and a banana. Temperatures reached 67 degrees today. Felt warmer as the sun was out and the sky was blue. Managed to made the 14 Mile Swing Bridge at 11:30AM.Called the bridge operator and requested that he open the bridge. The bridge operator said that a train was coming and that once the train passed he would open the bridge. I sat in awe as the train passed carrying tanks, Humvees and military equipment and supplies that I had never seen. I took several photos as the train passed.

Motored into the busy industrial port of Mobile Bay about 3PM. What a contrast to the rural setting of the Tenn-Tom. There were ocean going freighters, tug boats, tow boats, pleasure boats. The shore is stacked with cranes loading barges, freight terminals and large buildings.

Motored out into Mobile Bay in wonderment as there was so much water and it was salty. The first time that this boat has seen salt water. Headed out into the Bay and toward the channel markers that would lead me to the Dog River and Turners Marina. Reached Turners at 4PMand tied up to the dock. Was told to move to a better location with power. Gladly obliged. Plugged in and all of the lights worked. The electrical short was gone.

I borrowed the courtesy car and went for a little drive. Was told that the management does not allow the courtesy car to be out past 4PM but would make an exception for me since I called and made a reservation. Ate shrimp and oysters at the Boiling Pot restaurant. Went to WalMart and bought a new battery for my watch. A really nice lady named Betty was able to help me. She said that she had replaced thousands of batteries and it was not hard. Cost of new battery $5.00. Drove around and got lost. Had to stop and ask directions back to the Marina.