I·ro·ny /ˈīrənē/ a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.

Well, I can’t say that the last few days have been amusing but the irony is quite palpable. If you have read the latest post from the Captain you will understand our momentary insurance debacle. By adhering to our insurance providers mandates (of staying above latitude 32 until Nov. 1st - to keep us safe from hurricanes) meant putting all the work and expense of our brand new bottom paint, intact stabilizers and props at jeopardy by the rising waters, current and debris of the Tombigbee River. Demopolis, AL and the surrounding area received over 11 inches of rain in the last week therefore the river is approaching flood stage and it is undetermined when it will crest. We actually put our departure on hold for two days thinking that the rivers might recede but finally decided to take the risk and get these rivers and locks behind us. With a boatload of information on current river, flood and pool stages provided by Ed Offshack and Kyle Kieper’s evening briefings at the Kingfisher Marina in Demopolis, AL we set out at daybreak. Larry has his ‘Looper Leadership’ moment when he takes the lead for 12 other Looper boats and contacts the Demopolis Lock and Dam lock master to schedule our lock through time. As we leave the dock at 6:30AM there was just a shard of light available with gathering mist and fog. I have the hand-held spot at the bow and point out the large logs and debris to be avoided. We reach the lock and find our bollard, some boats raft together, but we all make it inside and lock through within an hour (including one 80 foot vessel driven by a paid Captain). Out of the lock the current is strong but not crazy, settling into a three knot push as we weave our way through the logs, trees, random boards and trash lifted from the river and creek banks. Seven hours later we arrive at Bobby’s Fish Camp (83NM) and attempt to dock. The little dock at this way-point, right on the Tombigbee River, is only 150 feet long and to no surprise the large vessel (that shall go unnamed) snaked up 80 feet of prime real estate. Larry attempts to convince this Captain to move forward so we can get on the dock to begin the rafting process (the heaviest boats must be on the inside so the lighter/smaller vessels can raft up to them) but he is uncooperative and we have to wait for two boats to finish their attempt at fueling before we tie-up. Long story short, it takes three hours to raft, dock and secure all 12 boats to the spindly little dock with a raging current and flying debris...we need a cocktail!!! After a great dinner of grilled catfish at Bobby’s we call it a night, at least until mid-night when we are all ‘waked’ by a tug and tow crashing up river and throwing a massive wake into all of us leaving boats to rock and roll for over 40 minutes. The fun doesn’t end the next morning as the first lock through is only for five vessels and the rest of us are left on the dock at Bobby’s to deal with the tug and tow traffic vying for a space/time to lock through the Coffeeville Lock and Dam...the LAST lock! Finally, we are allowed to lock through at noon and head down river with two other Looper boats. We run for three hours and get to Tombigbee River Mile Marker 78 Sunflower Cutoff (34NM) which is off the main channel and well marked where we anchor for the night. The current is running two knots but the anchor holds well with 175 feet of chain out and we have a pretty and peaceful night on the hook. The following day brings us to the end of the Tombigbee River as it flows into the Mobile River and finally to Dog River Marina off Mobile Bay, AL (79NM) where my patient relatives from Calgary, Alberta Canada will meet us at the boat.