Demopolis, Alabama

We arrived in Demopolis Alabama after a few days of anchoring at various sites on the Tenn-Tombigbee. We intended to spend a few days to regroup with groceries and laundry and some sightseeing. It also gave a chance for our friends on "bucket list" to catch up with us. The marina had at least 15 other boats on the loop. When we left there were 11 boats going through the lock with us 2 miles down the river.

     Water Moccasin having lunch.

Library in Demopolis, Alabama. I went into the library to ask directions and was overwhelmed by the uniqueness of this beautiful building that once housed a furniture manufacturer. As it turns out, the building was saved by a 90 year old local resident who fought to have the building remodeled, rather than torn down, and turned into the library. A few years back the library applied for, and received a grant from Bill Gates for 20 new computers. Shortly thereafter, Gates came to this library to see that his grants were being well used. He spent 2 hours in the library and made a lasting impression on the town and the staff.

    The Bluff Hall home

    The water authorities have allowed the river to raise 40 feet, so the white cliffs 

     are hardly noticeable now.

    Formal Dining room

    Formal parlor, for guests only

    A desk located in the men's parlor where men played cards w/o numbers on them, 

    Smoked cigars and used the spittoons.  Women were gathered in the parlor.

    

  

    Hi, medium, or low

    What kind of chicken do you want?  They ordered from other farms, fertilized eggs from different

    Kinds of hens.  Then, they let their own hens sit on the eggs to hatch them.  This tin is an egg 

     Sorter.

     

      master bedroom

    Chamber potty for the ladies at night.

     Boy toys

   Girl toys

   Young ladies wardrobe.  No closets back then.

 

    This addition added sleep  porches for the hot and humid summer nights.

    Open the top window over the door to allow breezes in cooling the the evening air.

    Mealtime.

    An Original Tiffany window.

    A home from the 1700's. A family of two adults and five children.

    This is the bath tub for the family.  Notice the fanny spot and soap holder.  The tub was placed

     By the fireplace so the water and the bather stays warm!

     

The tug "Crimson White".

We were noising around the fuel dock as this tug took on fuel. We were invited aboard for a view.  He is the boss.

   He was cooking chicken, noodles, etc..  The whole crew takes turns at cooking except the capt.

    One of two engines

    

   

The trip to Demopolis, Al.

    Good Morning!  7AM

     Trucks lined up to receive their loads from the barge.  See below

   

    

      You have read about the White Cliffs of Dover, here are the White Cliffs of Ebe Alabama.

    So beautiful!

    Water seeping through this rock?

    Confluence of Black Warrior River and the Tenn-Tombigbee River

     Good Night! ⚓️🌛 Bodacious  mooring out with us.

Can you spell... Miss iss ippi?

Mississippi River heading south at 7:30 a.m.

Statue of St. Mary watching over the river.

Some of the rock formations on the river

Approaching St. Louis.

The famous St. Louis arch signifying the middle of the U.S.

Downtown St. Louis.

Our home for the next few days.

Left Grafton Illinois at 7:30 this morning with one other boat for the 60 mile ride to Kimmswick Missouri.

It was a beautiful sunny morning with the river current adding 4 mph to our boats speed. It was pretty much dodging large trees, branches, and garbage in the river all day. The Mississippi is dirty and has been at flood stage for weeks and literally picks up all the debris from the shore and carries it down stream. The river is currently dropping 2 1/2 feet per day.

We arrived at Hoppie's Marina which is legendary on the river and a must stop for every "looper". It is three, 300ft. barges attached to each other and anchored to the shoreline. There are NO conveniences like most marinas with bathrooms, showers, wifi, and cable etc. It is what it is, and a must stop. The proprietors are in their late 70's and the marina has been in the family since 1934 and they are the real river people. Fern, the owners wife, runs the show with daily briefings at a comfortable and casual gathering area in the middle of the docks over cocktails. She has lived on the river all her life and goes over all the areas to be carefull of, passing tugs in turbulent waters, etc. 

We will be here for a few days as we are awaiting friends who arrive tomorrow in their boats from Grafton and are headed to Burnt Store in Punta Gorda where they winter and another couple from Holland Michigan.