So after Bates Lake everything went fairly smooth. We adjusted to having to use the generator in the morning to start the engine and using our kerosene lamps at night for light. In the meantime we were able to meet up with Last Paradise (whom we first met in Memphis. They have been our inspiration to continue sailing with Will since they have their own little one!) and have a nice dinner. Thank you Abby, Jeff and John for a fabulous night!
The day after was when Hurricane Ida hit land and brought tons and tons of rain our way. The river ran so fast that we could only make 4 knots by hugging the bank (thank you Josh! Such a fabulous Captain!). We didn't mind having to deal with rain or only being able to go 30 miles a day - what we did mind was the change in river height and the lack of information on the bridges straddling the Tenn-Tom.
I am not lying when I say we may have had to grease up the masts to get under the bridge at mm 174. Not only did we just barely make it (we maybe had 3 inches of clearance), there was a new bridge (new bridge!!) downstream of the bridge on the map. Had we have waited to pass these bridges we would have been stuck on the river until the river height went down 5 or more feet.
What should have taken us 4 days took us 6 days. Without all the mutiny and weather the Tenn-Tom is quite pleasant and I would travel it again, but maybe not in a sailboat with her masts up!
We were so happy to make it to the Demopolis Yacht Basin - they are so nice and friendly. Great staff and a nice marina with good facilities.
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