March 7 2013 Pirate's Cove Marina to Sumter Recreational Area

Anchorage at Sumter Recreation Area

Snagboat Montgomery

Donna and the girls before the fall

Hanging onto the Bevill Lock's floating ballard

03/07:  Away from Pirates Cove at 0900, into Lock at 0910 and out at 0930.  Five hours & 39 miles later, arrived in delightful sheltered anchorage in the Sumter Recreation Area.  After setting hook w/some difficulty,(for starters, our trip line, which is highly recommended in these waters due to snags (BIG underwater logs) which snag and hold the anchor- the trip line has a float which floats directly above the anchor so one gets try to raise it from a different angle, sank, float and all but while dealing with that muddy mess, the anchor just dragged in the mud). settled in for pleasant (57* high) afternoon and usual fine meal. Winter scenery still surrounds us BUT it actually felt warm enough to dinghy the girls ashore without layers and layers of clothes. Donna and I left Bill to tend to mechanical checks and with me at the helm, dinghied toward the boat ramp (love those when anchoring out as facilitates getting all of us out of the dinghy without MUD). Had a good walk around the picnic area and “stalked” a baby possum who tried to “hide” by playing possum. Donna got in the dinghy first, welcomed the girls, sat back on the seat which promptly tilted backwards, landing her on her derriere in the one puddle in the dinghy and legs were up in the air hanging over the seat. Of course I found this situation hilarious but now visualize this: one human on her back, 2 40# dogs, me stepping into this 9.5ft dinghy---without capsizing ! My idea of standing behind her and trying to lift/pivot her up seemed a good start until I looked over my shoulder and realized I could easily flip backwards off the dinghy. So, I stepped back onto the dock. Jada must have felt she had had enough so followed. Haleigh just wisely stayed put. The extra space enabled Donna to turn over on her hands and knees, now wet,  and get up. Once settled we made it back to the boat, all the while still laughing—we only bring friends along with good senses of humor. Had a comfortable evening in a lovely spot. Were joined by another Looper, The Mystique, a trawler out of Pickwick Lake. Dinner: Nancy’s Bavarian Pork with Spaezle, Toni’s red cabbage and tossed salad AND Butter Crunch Ice Cream.