November 7-10

November 7-- Aqua Yacht Harbor is one of the marinas at the junction of the Tennessee River and the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway. First a little bit of geography and history. We are finally headed south to Mobile Al our intermediate destination which is 450 River miles away. If you look on the loop map it is the point where the line starts turning south from the Tennessee River. If it weren't for the completion of the Ten-Tom the loop popularity would not exist. The initial idea to connect the Tennessee River and the Tombigbee River dates back to the French explorers in 1792. Congress started studying the idea in the 1940's. As usual the argument was whether it would be cost effective and how mother nature would be affected. Finally in 1971 the Corp of Engineeers got the green light to start construction of the Waterway (man made canal in a lot of places).In June of 1985 the Waterway was dedicated. Total cost was 2 billion dollars. More dirt was moved to build the Tenn-Tom than was moved to build the Panama Canal. Officially the Tenn-Tom is only 234 miles between the Tennessee River and Demopolis Alabama where it intersects with the Black Warrior and Tombigbee waterway but most people call the entire 450 miles the Ten-Tom Waterway. Okay so our start was a cold one. We awoke to ice on the aft portion of the flybridge, but it wasn't long until the temperature was very comfortable. High temp today was 54. Our eisenglass enclosure on the flybridge serves as a heat amplifier. The first portion of the waterway traverses Yellow creek and then it turns into a man made ditch 26 miles long. After that stretch it empties into Bay Springs Lake. A very picturesque Lake with many pretty bays. The night was spent at Bay Springs Marina mm412

November 8--We met Heritage, Alice & Bruce Druckett, from Ocean Springs MS, not loopers but a couple that has traveled extensively along the coast of Florida so we travelled together today. Called Whitten Lock which is just around the corner. He said come on down. This was 7:30 am However when we got there he had let a tow in his lock so we had to wait until he came up and out and believe me they come out very slowly. They usually only have inches to spare on each side of the lock. Finally at 9 am our lockage took place. We were able to negotiate the next 3 locks in short order. There are a total of 12 locks on the Tenn-Tom. Arrival time was 3pm at Smithville Marina. Super nice people, the owners are, although the Marina has a little "old style" flavor as you can see by the above picture. We took on 123 gals of fuel. The FloScans, predicted 125 so I have a lot of confidence in their fuel measuring ability. Tonight we borrowed the courtesy car and all six of us (w/ Heritage) squeezed in for the short ride to Pete's Steakhouse which is a misnomer because their specialty was seafood. The food was great. Fried Oysters and seafood gumbo. Bruce said it was one of the best bowls of gumbo he has had and he lives on the coast! Very reasonable--however no drinks tonight-a dry county!

November 9 ----2 more locks today Wilkens and Amory. Most locks on the Ten-Tom are 30 or 27'--we are going downriver so they are dropping us down. The current is with us so we are picking up .5 to .75 mph depending on where the configuration of the river. Our goal is Columbus Marina @ mm335. Columbus is a nice Marina and near Columbus MS, a rather large town. Lots of loopers here. Met Carol Anne again. Woody's restaurant is on site and is said to be "fine" dining. We put it to the test. Had dinner with Bruce and Alice (Heritage). Very fine indeed. A little bit pricier than Pete's!.

November 10--. Not far to travel today. The courtesy car was booked up yesterday so we reserved it for today. Two goals actually three if you include having a breakfast at a local restaurant for a change. The second was to stock up on grub so we can make the next 335 miles down the River where we will be anchored out after tonight. We also wanted to tour the Waverly Mansion. The mansion was built in 1852 and is one of the South's most impressive Antebellum homes. After almost being destroyed and let run down it has been restored and was well worth the visit. On the road again by 12:30 pm. Only a short distance to Marina Cove @mm 307 just before Bevill lock. Met Tanuki (Richard & Marcie Neuman) from Brighton Mi. They dock their boat at Tawas not far from the Glennie area where Matt & Janna have their cottage. Dinner with the aid of the Jenn-Air. The picture above is the crew outside of the Waverly mansion