Anchoring out

 

This was the first time I have anchored out overnight, ever. One would think during 30+ years of boat ownership I would have anchored out before. Somehow I have always managed to reach been a marina or at least a dock to tie off to. The dockmaster at last nights marina suggested a cove at mile marker 270 as a good anchoring site (deep water and out of the current). We found the cove and started in slowly. The water depth went from 45 feet to 3 feet in 20 yards. "Whatever It Takes" has a draft of 4 1/2 feet. We backed out of the cove and tried to anchor at the mouth, but the wind and current pushed us toward shore. We abandoned the cove and headed downstream 2 miles to the Heflin Lock. The lockmaster told us boats sometime anchor just below the lock where the spillway waters re-enter the river. We went up the spillway 1/4 mile, dropped anchor in 16 feet of water, payed out 85 feet of anchor line and the boat settled into the current and never budged until the next morning.  It was a quiet, pleasant night. The river reminded me of a favorite song "Moon River".

 

We traveled 70 miles today and saw some very nice homes. 

 

 

A pretty morning.

 

 

 

This lock was 5 minutes from marina. Chris is working on his 1st cup of coffee.

Locals out for some sun (and catfish?)

Not sure why these vultures keep following us.

Three generations wearing green on St Patricks day.

Spring has sprung in Mississippi.

This shot is from the bow, you can see our anchor line going into the water at the bottom of the picture.