From Rooster Day to Locks

 April 1, 2023

Foscue Creek CG site 39

Demopolis, Alabama

Saturday, the activities were plentiful.  It is Rooster Day in Demopolis. 

The rain shower with a touch of thunder was nice enough to arrive in the early morning so by the time everyone got up, the weather was clear.  

Rooster Day began in 1991 as a Rooster Auction to raise funds to build a bridge over the Tombigbee River connecting Marengo and Sumter counties, the last link in the Dixie Overland Highway.  With the funds raised, the infamous Rooster Bridge was erected.  Rooster Day is celebated yearly as a fun day with crafts and activities for all to enjoy as well as being a fund raiser.

Bob and Reba organized a special viewing of the locks in action for our group in the afternoon.  

Ann, who dearly loves her job with the US Arny Corps of Engineers was our guide.  She was articulate, knowledgeable and interesting to listen to as she shared information with everyone.  The lock viewed is one of several along the river that assist barges and boats as they travel up and down the river.  This lock raises (or lowers - depending on whether they are traveling north or south) the vessel 18 feet in 12 minutes.  As the vessels travel thru the series of locks on the Tombigbee River, they will be raised/lowered a total of 285 feet.  

The campground that we are staying in was created as part of the requirement put into place to helps balance out the land that was taken/used to create the locks system.  Take some land but pay back with beautiful parks.

This huge barge being pushed by a tug just fits into the lock. 

As the water level changes, a vortex is formed in the area behind the gates.

When the vessel is raised to the proper height, the gates are opened and the tug pushes the vessel on up the river.

This vessel would never have been able to negogiate the spillway so the lock is a crucial part of river navigation and plays an important role in commerce as the barges deliver their load from point x to point y along the river.

Dinner tonight sounded REALLY good to me.  There is a bbq restaurant named Slab and More that has limited seating, so the gang ordered take out to be enjoyed back at camp.

Not only do they serve meaty ribs, but they have chicken, pork and fish as well with loads of sides to choose from.

Michelle H. provided banana pudding and Gina made lemon squares to culminate a delicious meal for the two-legged.  

But the evening activities weren't over yet.  Dirty Uno was the card game of choice tonight.  

I think the two-legged are having way too much fun on this March Caravan.  It makes me think they will want to do another caravan next spring.  I'm all for it!!

I'm Chloe