The bridge at your "abandoned plant" is Naheola bridge. Before the new bridge was built, it handled vehicle traffic (one lane), trains and is also a draw bridge. There were only a few of these in the US. The building on the river bank was Ezell's Fish Camp. It is still open for business just off of Alabama 10 at the river bridge.
It is a dank and dreary day in southern New Jersey, right now. The fireplace insert has been bringing warm, cheerful heat into the house throughout this day. And to brighten up the mood and bring some cheer, comes the newest video from Brenton! 🙂Looking at your growing subscriber count, Brenton; it might be just you and Wavey on these desolate stretches of waterway....... but you've got maybe over 10 thousand folks along for the ride! All the best!
Just finding each little nock and cranny and to spend the night in and the rain on the roof top makes for a great day’s end. There’s nothing like it looking forward to the next episode float on my friend. God bless and don’t get talked into white washing any fences.
I thought I would introduce myself to you after watching most of your content so far. My name is Lee and I am the "Great Loop Video Police". Seams as though you have broken most of the laws in the book. We will need to relieve you of all your fish and spirits. Remember, I have my eye on you! "We will get you, and your little dog too"!! (FYI: nice job, can't wait to see more...)
Love your point of view of all the old towns you go to. We all miss so much by hurrying along the interstates. Demopolis must've been quite a place in it's heyday. Thanks for the great content you share. Safe travels to you and Wavy🌴
That area from Mobil to Coffeeville would be a great area to spent the hole winter! I haven't been there for quite awhile and it brings back a lot memories. Enjoying your videos, keep up the adventures!
Hi Brendon, another great video as usual. I am sure enjoying hanging out with you vicariously. got to be scary hanging out in witches creek with just you and wavey all alone. you seem to be just taking the good, the bad, and everything in stride these days. God bless
I k ow the feeling I've been snug and comfortable hove to in a gunk hoke safe from a big storm. You can sleep the sleep of the dead with a satisfied smile on your face.its a memory you'll always carry.
That was a neat fish fountain in Demopolis. I wonder how many generations of Carp have lived there? You looked all warm and dry in your little house on the water during the thunderstorm at Witch Creek.💖
I do like the ‘glass half full’ attitude. That’s how I look at things. Don’t let the little things ruin your day, couldn’t agree more. It’s easy to be negative, takes effort to be positive & happy. I choose happy!
Feels like a special treat to get a 30-minute video on Thursday. That was definitely odd that you couldn't get ahold of the lock master. Maybe he had a little too much Alabama moonshine...lol
@@backwatersandbackroadshe was mad at you because you caught him goofing off and not being at his post .. which is unacceptable and should be replaced, since I'm sure there's plenty of able-bodied persons that would love to have his job
Hi Brenton and Wavey! Great video again! I'm sure these little snipits of videos don't even come close to showing the miles and miles of beautiful rivers and towns you are seeing. I'm hoping the joy and excitement we've seen so far continues all around this big loop. Be safe and enjoy!
@backwatersandbackroads well enjoy it all. It's a beautiful day here in TN, but the fish aren't biting. So I'll just sit here watching the entertainment at the boat ramp.
Another great video the showing of old parts of demopolis is great you showed some i haven't seen before after going around there many times and again seeing spots and i say i caught fish there lol. As always hope for your safe travels and keep up the great work on videos.
Jeez, Brenton, are you sure Daisy wasn't the fun of that show, lol. Loved those Dukes, particularly Jesse Duke. Glad Demopolis lock was still open when you went through. Wondering about the water level now. Thank goodness for the Army Corp of Engineers. Be well & as always, looking forward to more.
Hi Ann ;) oh...Daisy and her hot shorts, best part of the show;) I use to glue to the TV when it came on when I was a kid. My cousin and I at my grandmas house
Loved the nighttime thunderstorm! Also noticed the town looked like a ghost town as usual if the people who were alive 100 years ago were to visit these dead towns they would think what the heck happened?Where did everyone go?
Dang you! I have been planning a trip for summer of 2025 on the Ohio River from the beginning in Pittsburgh down to the Mississippi and back but because of you, I am thinking of adding another leg down to Mobile then back to Pittsburgh. I enjoy your videos and have been making many of my plans based on your experiences.
Enjoyed watching this episode. Lots of familiar places for me. When you went through the Demopolis lock, no one had any idea the sill was about to blow out! You’re lucky you got through when you did! We would’ve came over and trailered you around the locks. You skip Bobby’s Fish Camp? Looking forward to the next episode! Have a good evening.
That lock blew like only a couple days later. Amazingly blessed. We did stop at Bobbies. I even made a video. "Don't stop at Bobby's Fish Camp" let me know if you want to see it.
Hi Brenton, love your channel and have been watching for a few years. Hey just wondering, do you have a large fishing net on board? I've often wondered how you would rescue Wavey in the very unfortunate situation that she fell overboard. Your channel gives some relief to this crazy out of control world we currently find ourselves in....keep up the good work #blessings dear friend
I've thought about what I'd do if she fell overboard. I don't let her go on deck anymore while moving (unless really slow in calm conditions) I'd probably throw it in neutral and go get her.
Sure glad I found your channel. Fixing to be 60. I have really wanted to try this adventure before it’s too late. Live in south GA. Man North Alabama is beautiful to me!!!! Gonna have to bing watch this weekend to catch up! Happy Shantin’!
What an epic video Brenton. It’s so nice to hear men discuss their feelings…the truth. It’s healthy for everyone when that happens. I considered myself to be a ward of the neighborhood growing up, so I understand how working through that initial abandonment tends to play out in life. If it’s true that we have some say over this play that we are in, perhaps prior to birth, what an interesting path to take for growth, even though it is painful. It’s a huge way to temper our armor. I can relate to so much of what you say. I really started to honor myself in my twenties, like going out to dinner or to the movies or even an overnight stay in a fancy hotel by myself. Everyone thought I was so weird for doing any of it, but I think it’s a great way to nurture love for ourselves. Being alone, but showing up for ourselves. Keeping a childlike nature including being a bit of an idiot along with a great sense of humor and remaining in a creative state really helps me to truly enjoy my own company. It’s funny how we can be around lots of people and still feel alone these days. The download is responsible for most of that. What a blessing indeed it is to “stumble” upon like minded folks.
Eva, it's such a huge subject isn't it? Yet, like Matt talks about...it's a half page ;) I know I was "convinced" into hating myself as a child. These generational curses that never end, until someone ends them. I'm so thankful I had the instincts to move far far away from my origins and start my own life. I wish I had quit school at 16 and built a Shanty boat and not wasted so much of my life trying to fit in. "It's no measure of health to be aligned to a profoundly sick society." --Kristimurti
I’m happy that some of us take the initiative and time to heal. I believe we can help heal our ancestors by sending them love and asking for their healing. I do that all the time for mine. They were a mess. God bless them. It’s such freedom knowing that not only do we not fit in, we don’t have to fit in and we most likely will never fit in…and that’s the best news ever. :) HAH! @@backwatersandbackroads
I found one of your videos about your barge boat, (shanty boat), love the boat and then saw your journey with it, and how much fun that looks. Great videos, im enjoying them!
A wonderful adventure with you and Wavey as usual! I’m always in suspense through those locks, but the witchy witch sceered me even more! Looking forward to your next video, Brenton and Wavey! You guys are the coolest!
Aw! We are blessed to have crossed paths for sure. I loved his new stove video yesterday. I am rooting for him with the rocket stove concept included. I hope you do build one! I dream of having a place one day where I can pull something like that off. I sure wish we had a Q of C commune. :) Oh what fun we would have. Happy happy day, Mr. Brenton and Miss Wavey! (I hope the gender references here are not offensive.)@@backwatersandbackroads
That little gas station that you took a picture of would make an awesome BBQ restaurant. Do most loopers take the tom Bigbee river to Mobile? Or do most go the MS. River all the way? Is there a route planning book?
I thought that little old school gas station was neat too ;) I think most loopers take rhe route you're seeing us take. The lower Mississippi is long and mostly uneventful. Muddy banks and hard to get fuel. Lots of barges too. The Tenn-Tom is the better way to go ;)
Witching weather on Witch Creek. No wonder Wavy was trembling. She was trying to tell you to pick another place to anchor! I was hoping to meet up with you once you reached the Chesapeake Bay. But... My schooner is now trapped in Baltimore Harbor. A container ship lost its steering and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, bringing the whole span down. The coast guard cut off all boat traffic in the area of the bridge, so nothing's getting in or out of Baltimore. (My marina's located about 5 miles up from the bridge.) I may try to sneak down there in the dingy and see if I can get some pics. in a couple of days -- once all the excitement dies down. Edit: What is the USNS COMFORT (hospital ship) doing on the Tombigbee? It used to be in Baltimore (I could see it from my schooner.) and then was moved to Norfolk as a "reward" to a Va. senator when power shifted in the U.S. Senate. As of 2 min. ago, it was docked on the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama. If anybody's interested in such things, there is a "Military Ship Locator" site you can Google and find various ships -- except those operating in "stealth" mode, of course.
@@backwatersandbackroads you always get back..I have no idea how you do that..just making me think do the messengers coming in the order and it also makes me embarrassed because I’m remembering all the messages I’ve sent that were probably like psychedelic Man
@@backwatersandbackroads I will definitely let you know how it goes..I have talked with him on the phone a few times and many texts I feel the guy is honest..if it is so boat will be driving/trailered home tomorrow…thanks so so much!! man
Hi Brenton. Im learning a lot from your channel. 😊 Gas seems like a pain to always have to deal with, what about self generated electricity like on some RV’S? How did you find out about river life? 😊
Howdy, are you talking about going electric? That takes some doing. The channel "Finding Simon" built am electric catamaran. Getting the best MPGs possible by going slow I think is currently the the best budget option. I "discovered" shanty boats from my buddy Wayne's Diaries;)
If your budget allows you might want to look into an AIS receiver. It would let you track vessels that are in your vicinity... Very useful on the rivers where you can't see far around the bends
I really enjoyed this one as much as all the other. You are doing a great job editing and bring the true spirit of the shanty into this channel. Thank you. I am a bit curious about the waves from passing vessels?. Do you have any problems when tied up in the main body of the river with those wakes pushing you towards the the shore? I once had a bad experience with the wake of a large vessel that just pounded my boat into the shore wall. It went on for several minutes, afterwords I promptly moved to a different mooring.
Hi Danny, we haven't had any real trouble with that. Wakes ans waves can put your boat further up on shore (and beat against walls ans such) but we haven't had that problem on this adventure. Barges really don't put a lot of wake out. A small trawler going "fast" or fishing boat outs out more
If Wavey keeps yapping at me I think I'm gonna need one of those iceco coolers buddy. Lol. Watch out for those helicopters Captain..... I think they are possibly on to ya'll. God bless ya as always. 🙏
Brenton hello from Deerwood mn. found your channel and had time to watch all from beginning because it was Basketball finals (witch is always good for 12" of snow) Got a question ? would a Minnkota Talon spud work for ancoring quickly and easy?
I live on pickwick lake”pickwick dam Tennessee”right at the mouth of the Tom where it starts.can you remember the episode where you came through pickwick dam?I either missed it or you didn’t start or travel through.if you come back through I got some goodie’s for you..I traveled down the Tom heading to orange beach for senior trip back in 1982 it was long and adventures don’t remember much!of course we were on a yacht 10 high school kids but would love to do it again..
You can be Yankee and ask for a ride or you can be southern and ask where the nearest gasstation is. A real good'ole'boy will say, i could tell ya, but it would be easier to take ya.
I guess you heard about the locks in Demopolis? They had some damage and are closed I definitely until they can figure out the extent and how to fix it.
Finally figured it out. You have 2 channels, and on the other you are in Florida. You use the same thumbnails and I didn't realize I was watching 2 different channels.
@@backwatersandbackroads It is, we watch you and wavy all the time. Its our inspiration to make the trip. We will live full time on the "Bug" and see the country.
Sorry about bad response at coffeeville al … we camped at the COE site there many times .. I’ve been down to to lock and spoken to the lock master once … the guy on duty was nice to us showed us around… if you take hwy 84 west over to Brookhaven Ms my farm is about 4-1/2 miles from I-55 sw … you being a water person I have a question… what you think about the bridge that was hit by that large ship and knocked down???
Hi 👋 I’m new here and really enjoy your videos I am looking for a way to spend my time and you sir have given me something to think long and hard about I am 63 retired and alone and I feel warehoused I love the water and travel and fishing 🎣 and I have a lot of questions I don’t know if you have time for that I’m sure you’re busy but would like to know more information would you be willing to answer some questions Thanks Dave in Branson Missouri
Howdy. It is/was a company in New Liberia, Lousiana called "J&J" and I think it was the 80s or 90s. There is a different J&J down there but they only welded steal. It's a bit if a mystery.
I hope someone can help me with a question. Has anyone tried painting the pontoons with truck bed liner to make them more puncture and damage resistance?
