Montgomery to Mount Vernon

There's an old saying on the Alabama River that you cannot consider yourself a 'River Rat' until you have been all the way down it to the Delta.

Ever daydreamed about doing it? This is your chance!

The River Rats Club, based in Millbrook, plan to make their annual run from Montgomery to Mobile. You and your boat are welcomed to come along on this epic adventure.

You will be cruising with a bunch of highly experienced Captains, who can help you, if needed. They are also a fun-loving bunch of middle-aged folks who will make you feel like "one of them" in no time. They travel on pontoon boats and the crews sleep and cook onboard. Their general cruising speed is that of a usual pontoon boat, 10 - 15 mph. However any type boat is welcomed, even if you cruise faster or slower than the fleet does, everybody comes together at the end of the day. At this writing , there are 6 boats making the cruise and 3 to 4 people aboard each boat.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail will be helping the River Rats by bringing them a scarce commodity on the river, gasoline. We plan to help them get gas in Selma and Mt. Vernon. ASRT is trying to help communities along the river by establishing fuel points and encouraging marinas. With the River Rats we are trying to bring attention to the need for fuel along the way in order to support tourism.

This year the River Rats are only going one way, so you will need to take your trailer down to the designated take out near Mobile after you launch your boat. Arrangements can be made to help you do this.
The plan is leave the Boat Ramp at One More on River Oaks Road in Millbrook at 8:00 am on June 9th. The first night will be spent in Selma City Marina where we will bring gas down to top off. The next night will be in Millers Ferry, where they will again top off. They have rented a couple of campsites in Millers Ferry park, where the boats can be docked, so showers will be available that night. The takeout will be at Cliff's Landing on the Tensaw over the weekend, the 12th or 13th.

When the flotilla arrives in Mount Vernon, Verdell Trotter-Dees, a Mt Vernon City Councilwoman, will be on hand to help with refueling the boats and plans to feed the Crews.

The whole trip will be 3 to 4 days.

Along the way, the local Press will show up to document the journey as well as the need for fuel on our river.

What you need to bring:

• 
  
  A dependable boat. Parts of the Alabama river are wilderness-like in that there are few people and few places to stop—not a place to break down. You need to know your boats gas mileage so you can "over" estimate how much gas you will require.
• You will have to carry enough gas aboard , to cruise at least 100 miles , the more the better.
• Your boat will need to have enough room for food, cooking and camping aboard.
• A VHF radio is highly recommended. The boats communicate via VHF with each other as well as with the lockmasters. The lower parts of the river have spotty cell phone coverage at best and can't be depended on for communications.

The Cost

You will be responsible for the cost of your boat expenses, gas, groceries , shuttle, and a share of any group expense such as the campsites at Millers Ferry.

Want to Go?

Either call or e-mail Glenn Dean 334 558 4616 or gypsy5262@aol.com. I will answer your questions and put you in touch with Cap'n Frank .