Travel Day 68 to Kingfisher Marina, Demopolis, AL 11/5/21

We left Cook's Bend after a wonderful, quiet night. The sky had been very dark at night and all we heard were the cicadas. Since it was cold we left the generator on as we traveled for a while to warm up the pilothouse. After going through yet another lock, Heflin 32' down, and 53.9 NM we arrived at Kingfisher Marina.

Kingfisher Marina has a very structured system. We had to go to the fuel dock first and check in where they then gave us our slip assignment. Chris pumped out and was charged $20.00 but it was free if you bought fuel. He wasn't told this in advance unfortunately.

The marina was quite large and had really nice cement floating docks. There was a courtesy car to use, again with very structured rules. David and Lynn had signed up for the van from 12-2 and Mary had signed up for 2-4. When you get the keys to the car you are given explicit instructions. You must go to the Marathon gas station and get $1.50 of gas and get a receipt and call the dock master Anna-Marie. David put in $3.00 so that Mary didn't have to do it, however, Anna-Marie told her she still had to put in the $1.50. That it the system!

Arriving at 16:00, we were told there was a shuttle service that was $8.00 pp round trip but it leaves at 17:00. I quickly told our crew aboard Jackpot, Cashelmara, Knot Fast and New Hope. Since Sisu and Out of the Blue were there I invited them to join us. We ended up being 14 people. The Red Barn was recommended so that was the place we went. Whatever Hal ate did not agree with him and he was sick all night. The next day in the lock, Tom from O'Tug said he went back and he got sick from the meal. Not sure what it was that wasn't good, but not a place we would return to.

I went into town to Walmart with David and Lynn. The Walmart is small and has insufficient help that work very slow. After getting a few items we went back to the marina. Lynn and I went with Mary, JoAnn and Brenda to town since they were going to a boutique. We were going to walk back which was a 2.8 mile walk. The store happened to be closed, so Lynn and I headed back to walk through the main town. There was a store we were interested in going to, however it was closed. The antique store next to it was open and happened to have several booths in the store. There were many interesting things in the shop. The day was beautiful and the way back was just what Lynn and I needed. It was great to be outside in the fresh air, moving.

I have to say I am so thankful for our washer and dryer onboard. It isn't about the money, it it the wait for washer and dryers at the marinas. Many only have one or two available and there have been many times we come in the marina with several boats needed them.

Fog in the morning and a tug in the lock delayed our departure.