Mount Vernon to Elberta, AL

We cruised down the Mobile River into Mobile Bay. We passed by the impressive AUSTAL shipbuilding facility and admired the Navy ships docked there. 

We spotted the USNS Harvey Milk, still with that name on its stern, despite recent changes. Ben recognized the USS United States, which he remembered seeing in Philly during our 2023 leg of the Loop. It’s since been towed down here, where it's awaiting sinking to become an artificial reef.

Container ships lined the bay, stacked eight containers high. It was fascinating to watch the giant magnets unload them with precision. Our eyes were glued on this as we passed by.

We also took care of some boat chores. We defrosted the fridge, one freezer, and the ice maker. Monthly defrosting is a must or things get soggy fast, and we noticed that was starting to happen.

The highlight of our day was when we spotted our first dolphin in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW)! Still, no matter how many times we have seen dolphins, we all rush to look for them as we pass by. This time, Hattie had to join in on the fun. She gets excited and runs out to the boat deck with us as we all run to see the dolphins.

Pickensville to Sweet Water and Mount Vernon, AL

We knocked out a few more locks today, but not as many as yesterday. Our day started at Bevill Lock & Dam. Then at Heflin Lock & Dam, we were flying out of the gate at 10.7 knots thanks to the current. 

At Demopolis Lock & Dam, Ben asked the lockmaster what the water level was compared to normal levels. He told us the water is 15 feet higher than usual. Ben told me that explains all the trees and debris we’ve been dodging. We clocked 10.7 knots through there, still moving strong. 

We averaged 11 to 11.5 knots most of the day, which was a nice change after so many slower days fighting the current. Having the current with us today helped make up some of the time and distance we lost yesterday from all the locks. 

We anchored for the night on the river, off to the side of the channel.

Locks today: 3

Locks of the summer: 41

Locks of the loop: 155

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Coffeeville Lock & Dam was our last lock until the Okeechobee Waterway in Florida!

While we were waiting at Coffeeville (we had to wait for a barge to go down, pleasure craft to come up, and then our turn to go down), Roo spotted the first alligator of this trip right outside the lock. She was so excited to have spied it first! A little further along the route, we spotted another gator. 

We wrapped up the day by anchoring in David Lake off the Mobile River. Tucked inside was a barge marina of sorts. I worried we would have a ton of barge traffic in the middle of the night, but thankfully it was smooth!

Locks today: 1

Locks of the summer: 42

Locks of the loop: 156