Clifton Marina

Hi F and F, 

Decision was made by the Captain to leave early today.

We are certainly in a continuing hot spell of weather in the 90's and by mid afternoon it gets very humid and sticky. By running in the morning , you avoid a lot of that heat.

But first Erica went off  at 7 am to investigate the Johnsonville State Park .It was closed by the time we had finished dinner last night and we went for a walk.Actually it didn't open til 8 am this morning , but it was easy just to walk in. Very well maintained and signed it's plenty of plaques with trails and  the history of the area .

Would have been nice to spend a few hours there ,but time to move on!

We set off at 8 am and had a great fun . Water continues to be smooth , the river wide and deep and apart from lots of small fishing boats along the way which slowed us down in places , we were able to keep up a 15 knot speed.

Bit more barge activity, carrying coal and grain, but no big deal. Interesting to see how they couple the barges together. Sometimes if you throw a really big wake as you go the barges , they can become uncoupled apparently!

 The scenery was lovely, cypress trees growing at the waters edge , different colors on the rocks , some yellow , orange and grey.

At one bluff called Lady Finger Bluff  the  story goes that a young pioneer chose to leap to her death rather than be captured by attacking Indians.

Around midday, we decided to try running with the generator on so we could have the air con.

Must say it was very pleasant , and we wonder why we have never done it before!!

We got into the small Clifton Marina around 1.15 pm and there to greet us were the Nina ( smaller vessel) and the Pinta. The dock master, guided us into a side tie slip off B dock. Perfect spot as we got shade from the covered slips there.

After checking in , we took the old Buick courtesy car to check out Clifton town.

It is dead with a capital D! Most of the shops had closed down and the only restaurant in town is the Pirates  Lair which is open Fridays and Saturdays only! The only happening place is the big Dollar Saver store. So we went back and spent a nice afternoon on the boat relaxing in the air con.

Lisa and Tom who Erica had met briefly at Pebble Isle Marina came in on their catamaran mid afternoon also. Later had a chat to them , they are heading on south tomorrow also.

Cooked a nice dinner on the boat and then early to bed.

Longer day tomorrow forecast  and we will head into the Tennessee -Tombigbee Waterway. 

Over and Out, 

E and G.