We left our slip at the Demopolis Yacht Basin Friday morning for the first time in in over a year. We were on a 24 hour shake down cruise down the Black Warrior River. The day started out overcast and cool but we didn't care, we were on the water and on the move. About noon the sun started to peek through the clouds, soon we were enjoying mother natures fall colors at every turn in the river. We arrived at our anchorage about 3pm. The only boat there, we found ourselves surrounded only by the sights and sounds of nature; fish jumping, bald eagles flying overhead, a Blue Herin hunting for dinner, the rustling of the tree tops from a slight breeze and the beautiful reflections in the glass like water surrounding Laughter. The night sky was filled with stars. We lay on the bow watching the stars, enjoying beauty and the silence of our surroundings. An owl called out in the distance and Mark answered his call. Remarkably Mr. Owl answered and for the next 10 minutes they exchanged a conversation that neither probably understood. Our conversation was sparse as we enjoyed the amazing night sky and quiet surroundings. We felt at peace with ourselves and the world, no worries, no cares, at least for a little while. We woke up this morning to fog. I remembered reading about the fog in our area. It is said that the whispy funnels of fog that pass over the water are the spirits of the Indians that once lived here. I found myself smiling as I watched those whispy funnels flow across the river. Once the fog lifted we were on our way back to Demopolis to drop Mark off and spend one more afternoon on the wall before heading South.
