Dispatches
Fragments of the journey—quick glimpses, fleeting moments, and raw impressions captured before they drift away. Snapshots from the river, in words, images, and sound.
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David “Scoop” Anderson who worked on riverboats and towboats for years
Davis “Scoop” Anderson who worked on riverboats and rowboats for years, finally settling out as a newspaper editor (earning his nickname
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Shantyboat in the secret abandoned MARINA OF THE DAMNED
Shantyboat in the secret abandoned marina of the planet of the apes
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Dramatic skies over the shantyboat on the Tennessee River
Dramatic skies over the shantyboat on the Tennessee River near the confluence of the Duck River with Adrian fishing from the bow
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Typically amazing cuisine aboard the shantyboat. The full time caterers turned out to be a great investment
Typically amazing cuisine aboard the shantyboat. The full time caterers turned out to be a great investment
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Fishing for breakfast at the confluence of the Duck River with the Tennessee
Fishing for breakfast at the confluence of the Duck River with the Tennessee
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We learn to read the river: this beautiful herringbone pattern precedes larger wind waves
We learn to read the river: this beautiful herringbone pattern precedes larger wind waves. A steady breeze over a reach creates tiny ripples that reinforce each other, becoming swells that can become challenging for the shantyboat
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Pete Selmeci who’s job is to fix big boats and move them around
Pete Selmeci who’s job is to fix big boats and move them around. He was limping this disabled Love Boat with his business partner Mark downriver. He helped us look at our own limping Freddie Mercury who lost reverse gear and supplied is with rum and coke
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Lost at the rainy end of the world! Next episode of the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
Lost at the rainy end of the world! Next episode of the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
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Life without the internets! Next on the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
Life without the internets! Next on the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
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Barges in the mist
Barges in the mist. People ask us constantly if the tows give us any trouble. After over 1000 miles on inland waters we can definitively say, No, towboat crews are professional, more courteous, more responsible, and create less wake than big yachts
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Emergency! Out of vodka and down to a finger or two of gin
Emergency! Out of vodka and down to a finger or two of gin
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The folks at Clifton Marina treated us super decently
The folks at Clifton Marina treated us super decently. Say hi to Sonja and Gene when you come by on the Tennessee River
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Bob who is traveling from Paducah to the Gulf of Mexico via the Tombigbee River on a Seedoo stopped by Clifton to gas up
Bob who is traveling from Paducah to the Gulf of Mexico via the Tombigbee River on a Seedoo stopped by Clifton to gas up
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An afternoon roadtrip on Tennessee back roads
An afternoon roadtrip on Tennessee back roads. Age and I escape in the Marina loaner beater car
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Poor poor Hazel. Her paw was burnt by a falling pot of boiling water when a big yacht passed us by close and fast
Poor poor Hazel. Her paw was burnt by a falling pot of boiling water when a big yacht passed us by close and fast
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The adventures of Peggy Sanford’s Aunt Jonnie
My Aunt, Jonnie Ruff Vailes, taught in a one room schoolhouse on Island 40, located near Memphis on the Mississippi River. Although Island 40 was in Tennessee the only way to get there by road was by going through Arkansas.
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Jackie Irvin runs an opiate addiction program at Jabbok Refuge Center Church
Jackie Irvin who runs an opiate addiction program at Jabbok Refuge Center Church talks to us about growing up Black in small town Tennessee, her faith, her (mostly white) clients, and racism in the South
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Serious beverage situation on the next episode of the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
Serious beverage situation on the next episode of the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
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Main St of Saltillo leads right down a boat ramp to the river
Captivating on several levels. Main St of Saltillo leads right down a boat ramp to the river with a half dozen stop signs near the end. Perhaps they had a problem’tDriveInTheRiver
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Saltillo’s Ghost Marina
Not sure this marina in Saltillo is going to have wi-fi. Saltillo’s ghost marina.
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Oh god. We’ve entered the land of relentless biting Horseflies. No one is safe
Oh god. We’ve entered the land of relentless biting Horseflies. No one is safe
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The generosity of strangers: Jesse interrupted his search for Pokémon to give us a ride to get gas and ice
The generosity of strangers: Jesse interrupted his search for Pokémon to give us a ride to get gas and ice
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Roger Lard, fisherman near Savannah TN
Roger Lard, fisherman near Savannah TN, trotline trays in the foreground and live catfish tank in the background
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Living the shantyboaters celebrity lifestyle upriver at a local party beach
After our thorough ten-minute tour of Savannah Tennessee, we went upriver to a kind of local party spot sandbar where we were regaled with stories, loaded up with beer, given hats with local logos, and generally lived the shantyboaters celebrity lifestyle. People asked lots of curious questions and enjoyed a snort or two of Dr…
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Shantyboat bloody marys for three days provided by generous folks
Shantyboat bloody marys for three days provided by our generous hosts upriver, Mark & Rachel. Thanks sister Heather
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Jabbok Refuge Center Church service just a few doors down from the Tennessee River Museum
Jabbok Refuge Center Church service. Just a few doors down from the museum where Black stories have been erased
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At Tennessee River Museum in Savannah TN the history of Black people is completely erased
Tennessee River Museum in Savannah TN, like many river museums I’ve visited that extensively explore area history including the geology, native people, steamboat era, musseling & fishing, and a great deal about the civil war without ever once mentioning slavery, emancipation or African Americans in any way. Black people are completely missing from the story…
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The landscape where one of the great battles of the American Civil War was fought
Pittsburg Landing, the landscape where one of the great battles of the American Civil War was fought, the Battle of Shiloh. Confederate forces surprise attacked a Union division lead by Ulysses Grant working their way up the Tennessee River. The Union Army prevailed only because they were reinforced by several divisions on day two
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The Delta Mariner that carries rocket parts back and forth between Cape Canaveral and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsvile
The Delta Mariner a vessel unlike any we’ve seen passes by us. We think it is the huge ship that carries rocket parts back and forth between Cape Canaveral and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsvile
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Rooster’s Dogs & Burgers surrounded by hundreds of boats attending a strange boat-in only concert in Northern Mississippi
Rooster’s Dogs & Burgers surrounded by hundreds of boats attending a strange boat-in only concert in Northern Mississippi-in
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Shantyboat out of place at the Grand Harbor on Pickwick Lake
Shantyboat out of place at the grand Harbor on Pickwick Lake, surrounded by plastic people, huge expensive boats that never leave the harbor and party barges stirring the Tombigbee River into a confusion of high swells
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The Alabama countryside is green and lush and textured
The Alabama countryside is green and lush and textured
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Dr. Adrian Nankivell excellent ships mate on a morning johnboat run
Dr. Adrian Nankivell excellent ships mate on a morning johnboat run
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Hazel got scalded when an enormous yacht knocked a pot of boiling water off the stove
Hazel got scalded when an enormous yacht came by close and fast while we were anchored and knocked a pot of boiling water off the stove. She yelped and cried and we iced her foot for a half hour. Probably not seriously hurt but it makes me hate irresponsible boaters even more. Big yachts are…
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A Butch Anthony joins Jesus in the Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom Gallery
A Butch Anthony joins Jesus in the Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom Gallery aboard the Shantyboat Dotty. Along with works by Maxine and Sasha Stonebloom
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Captured by pirates!
Captured by pirates! Mark and Rachel board the shantyboat and force us to eat good food and drink wine and suck up air conditioning and wifi and have a bath
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Anita Cobb knows her family history going back before emancipation
Interview with Anita Cobb, who knows her detailed family history going back five generations to before emancipation
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Robert Francil, 4th generation fisherman
Interview with Robert Francil, 4th generation Florence commercial fisherman
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Adrian fishes totally legally on the Tennessee River near Florence
Adrian fishes totally legally on the Tennessee River near Florence
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Looking for a used mandolin
Hey Florence friends: Adrian is looking for a used mandolin so he can play music while we drift down river. Where can we find such a beast? Also we need a decent fillet knife and a sharpener. Point us in the right direction?
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Emma Lee Dean-Dykes Troup, openly trans woman in small town Alabama
Interview with Emma Lee Dean-Dyke Troup, openly trans woman in Florence AL
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Bob Perry, Chickasaw elder and Annie Perry, knowledgable about the history of the area
Interview with Bob & Annie Perry at Tuscumbia Landing. Bob is a Chickasaw elder and Annie is knowledgable about the history of the area
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An interview with artist Butch Anthony literally sitting in Cypress Creek
An interview with artist Butch Anthony literally sitting in Cypress Creek
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Butch takes us to the Secret Tuesday Florence Flea Market
Butch takes us to the Secret Tuesday Florence Flea Market
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The Annie out of Lake Wheeler comes to visit us
The Annie out of Lake Wheeler comes to visit us while we are in Florence Harbor Marina. Beautiful homemade boat similar in construction if not in design to the shantyboat
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Robert Francil known locally as the fish guy
Robert Francil known locally as the fish guy. The sign in his yard says Fish For Sale with another little sign: “Fish stories told here
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Most brilliant idea ever. A used bookstore at the Florence public library
Most brilliant idea ever. A used bookstore at the Florence public library
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Shantyboat Dotty near the Old Railroad Bridge in Florence AL
Shantyboat Dotty near the Old Railroad Bridge in Florence AL. Photo by Jim Day
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Wes Modes at Secret History gallery talk
Wes Modes at Secret History gallery talk. Photo by @christi.britten
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Full house at the Kennedy Douglass Center for the Secret History gallery talk
Full house at the Kennedy Douglass Center for the Secret History gallery talk. Thanks to KDarts for making this happen
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Kathryn Boyd Rice, 94, regaled us with stories of life in Sheffield AL
Kathryn Boyd Rice, 94, regaled us with stories of life in Sheffield AL and as an illustrator and artist. She designed the cotton logo for the industry still used today
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The modesty of southerners: Women hide behind their tablets and phones whenever the shantyboat goes by
The modesty of southerners: Women hide behind their tablets and phones whenever the shantyboat goes by
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New ships mate Age and I celebrate his arrival with a shot of Dr Thunders peachy fire whiskey
New ships mate Age and I celebrate his arrival with a shot of Dr Thunders peachy fire whiskey
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Susan Stewart’s grandpa was chief clerk on a packet boat around 1910
Susan Stewart’s grandpa was chief clerk on a packet boat around 1910
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Secret History shantyboat open house at Florence Harbor Marina
Secret History shantyboat open house at Florence Harbor Marina
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Secret History at the Florence Kennedy Douglass Center for the Arts this weekend
Secret History at the Florence Kennedy Douglass Center for the Arts this weekend
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In a land of mostly dry fountains, Florence got it going on
In a land where the previous generations’ civic hardscaping have devolved into dry fountains most everywhere, Florence Alabama’s got it going on
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Join us for a Secret History exhibition at Kennedy Douglass Center for the Arts in Florence AL. Opening reception Friday at 5:30pm and artist talk Sunday 1-3pm. Shantyboat Open House at Florence Harbor Marina Friday 2-4pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday and Monday 4pm-7pm.#shantyboat #art #alabama #exhibitions #socialpractice (http://ift.tt/2aRiGzw)
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Family Shantyboat Photos
One of the many folks we met in Florence Alabama shared these photos of their family shantyboat with us.
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The Boxcar Cafe in Sheffield. Lots of old history here
The Boxcar Cafe in Sheffield. Lots of old history here
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Welcomed by a whole brood of curious kids in Florence
Welcomed by a whole brood of curious kids in Florence
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Tennessee River trash pouring out of the mouth of Sweetwater Creek
Tennessee River covered in trash ironically pouring out of the mouth of Sweetwater Creek. Perhaps @ijamsnaturecenter should introduce @florencealabama to their trash booms
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The most curious lock crew we’ve ever encountered at Wilson Lock
The most curious lock crew we’ve ever encountered at Wilson Lock
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Tiny tiny shantyboat 93 feet down at the bottom of Wilson Lock and Dam
Tiny tiny shantyboat 93 feet down at the bottom of Wilson Lock and Dam. Thanks to Gino, one of the lock staff, for the photo
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Lockmaster at Wheeler Dam checking out project postcard
Lockmaster at Wheeler Dam checking out project postcard
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Cara introduced me to the concept of Meat and Two
Cara introduced me to the concept of Meat and 2. Meat and 2 sides
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When we boated up a creek to this little town, you’ll never believe what happened.
We boated up a creek as close to a nearby little town as we could get, still a 20 minute walk away to get much-needed propane and fuel. I bet Jeremiah that we could get there in less than 20 minutes hitchhiking, even with the wait. The moment we stepped into the road, before we’d…
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Crossing the expanse of Tennessee River lakes often feels endless
Crossing the expanse of Tennessee River lakes often feels endless
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Waiting for the crowds to subside, cocktail hour and dominos with Jeremiah
Waiting for the crowds to subside, cocktail hour and dominos with @dudicusmaximus
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In the far away land of Alabama there are electrical outlets in public places
In the far away land of Alabama there are electrical outlets in public places such as parks, buildings and patios. Apparently they are not terrified that homeless people will charge their cell phones. People here don’t believe us when we say that this doesn’t happen where we come from
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We thought we might fit under the train bridge at Decatur AL
Train bridge Decatur AL. We thought at first we might fit under. Not so much
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Passing the time with the song game on the way to Decatur
Passing the time with the song game on the way to Mussel Shoals
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Do you know people in Decatur AL we should talk to?
Do you know people in Decatur AL we should talk to?
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Cocktail hour! Next on the Shantyboat Guys!
Cocktail hour! Next on the Shantyboat Guys with @dudicusmaximus
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Thanks to Ditto Landing for hosting us in Huntsville
Thanks to Ditto Landing for hosting us in Huntsville, especially director Brandi Quick
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@dudicusmaximus finally noticed the shantyboat head dedication. Three years with the project
@dudicusmaximus finally noticed the shantyboat head dedication. Three years with the project
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Apparently we were in USA Today (Thanks Joan Raspo)
Apparently we were in USA Today (Thanks Joan Raspo)
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Here’s @gooddoghazel perched on the side of a cliff at Painted Bluff
Here’s @gooddoghazel perched on the side of a cliff at Painted Bluff
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Chef Forest Wilson and daughter Yasmin who run a vegan & veggie food truck at Lowe Mill in Huntsville
Chef Forest Wilson and daughter Yasmin who run a vegan & veggie food truck at Lowe Mill in Huntsville
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World War 2 ammunition bunkers and 50s Cold War fallout shelters on Redstone Arsenal
World War 2 ammunition bunkers and 50s Cold War fallout shelters on Redstone Arsenal
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