Fog

We wake up to fog most mornings now.  When it is cold, as it will be tonight (39 degrees predicted) the fog is both in the coves and out on the river.  Sometimes we think it has lifted, and we start out, and then it flows around us again.  Boaters like to be on our way in the morning.  We generally go to bed early and wake up ready to go.  Then we wait and watch.  We turn on our VHF radio and listen to boaters gathering and moving.  Three days ago we heard several boats leave their marina and then a few minutes later return to it.

Groups of boats go through locks together, which makes life easier on the captains and the lock masters.  Yesterday our group had a plan to meet at the lock at 7:00 am.  George and I picked up our anchor and headed out on time. We had on our green and red navigation lights.  "Bama Dream", who was with us at East Cotton Springs, also came out.  As we approached the lock and dam, it disappeared.  There was huge billowing fog, completely blocking the lock.  We had our AIS on, so we knew no other boats were near us.  When the lock master told us to enter, "Bama Dream" said we could follow them.  Then George called the lock master and asked if any boats were exiting.  He said no.  Nine boats entered without incident.

Tonight we are at Canal Cut-Off, mile 366.3 on Tombigbee River.  We are with two other boats, Serenity and When I'm 64.  Later we'll paddle over for a visit.

Two photos from today:  

George is keeping Aunt Aggie off the wall of the lock.

What is this?  Looks like a log, but it's lots of birds.