Day 171 Briar Creek

It wasn't quite as cold when we woke up this morning in the Alabama backwaters. Traveled down the final section of the TennTom called the Mobile River. The terrain is becoming more flat marshland and we actually saw our first palm tree in months. It was only a lowly Cabbage Palm, but it's a start. Lots of turtles sunned themselves on rotting logs and a muscular gator was posing on a sandy bank. He's right in the middle of the second pic. Passed lots of tows - even though all of the tug captains on this trip have been congenial and accommodating, I will not miss having to deal with these huge, floating, moving "islands". Got in to our remote, unspoiled anchorage called Briar Creek. Serenity and Meander joined us again for the night. We are all heading to the same marina in Mobile tomorrow. John dropped the dingy and explored the area. Went down a canal and spied a 4' gator on a rock. Afterwards John had a couple Dark and Stormy's with our neighbors while I made a big pot of gumbo to end the day in the Alabama swamps. As dusk approached, we heard the strangest owl hoot. The guide book says there are owls that sound like wolves in this area. Very haunting. Again the night sky is magnificent. I WILL miss that. Suppose to have gorgeous weather tomorrow to cross Mobile Bay - hoping for minimal chop.