COLUMBUS

11/19/08---Woke up to a cold, calm, clear morning. At 27 degrees there was plenty of frost on the boat. There was a layer of frost as seen on the Life Jacket storage box. However, with no wind the water was glassy and it is time to move on. We warmed up the diesels and called the Wilkins lock. They said the gate would be open in 15 minutes. At 7:15 a.m. we left the Smithville Marina and made the short run to the lock. The light was green and we got right in at 7:30 and tied to a bollard. At 7:45 we exited the lock after being lowered 30’. The next lock was only 5.2 miles away and they had the gate open waiting for us. In the Amory Lock at 8:15 and out at 8:30 after another 30’ lower. We traveled along at a nice rate of 10 MPH at 2350 RPM, just enjoying the Canadian Geese, loons and various ducks. After traveling another 13.6 miles we arrived at the Aberdeen dock. In at 10:15 and out at 10:35. This was another 30’ for a total of 90’ today. This makes a total of 264’ lower elevation since Grand Harbor Marina. The Dream Manor continued smoothly as we enjoyed the view for 22.5 miles to the Columbus Marina just above the Stennis Lock. The wind had picked up, but the marina is nicely protected by trees and there was hardly any wind effect as we docked at 1:00 p.m. Total distance today was 41.5 miles. After we hooked up to shore power, took on fresh water, and paid the docking fee it was time to kick back and relax the rest of the afternoon. That is Keith and I relaxed while Maryann did the laundry at the marina facility. About 4:00 p.m. several deer came out of the trees to graze along the bank on the east side of the marina. There is about 100 yards of water between us and the deer. They obviously knew they were quite safe. We watched them until after dark.

WINDY

11/18/08---The wind and waves rocked the boat against the wooden dock all last night and continued through today. We chose to stay tied up and wait for better conditions. The wind from the north across the open water kept the flag sticking out nice and straight. As evening came the water began to calm. It should be more peaceful tonight.

SMITHVILLE MARINA

11/17/08---A beautiful, cool, clear morning. The trees and clouds reflected on the water created an interesting picture. As the sun begins to rise and shine thru the trees, you can see the white anchor buoy laying on the still water to the left. We released the anchor at 8:00 a.m. and proceeded out of the quiet cove into the main channel. It was 2 miles to the Whitten lock at mile 411.9 and the gate was open with one pleasure craft already tied and waiting. We were lowered 84’ making the walls look very high as Maryann took a picture of the other boat. There were 3 more locks today: Montgomery Lock at mile 406.7 lowered 30’, Rankin lock at 398.4 lowered 30’ (waited 1 hr for a North bound tow at this lock), and Fulton Lock at 391.0 lowered 25’. We were lowered a total of 175’ today as we continue toward sea level. Below the fulton Lock the view begins to change as there are now cypress trees seen along the way. We traveled down the colorful waterway to mile 376.5. Turned port at 3:00 p.m. and went ½ mile to Smithville Marina. We were met by several of the locals who wanted to see our boat. After a good visit, walked to the little red office above the boat with the flag. Paid Jesse for overnight docking and went back to our boat to nestle in for the night. Found good internet service so the blog got a little longer than usual. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

ANCHOR NEAR WHITTEN LOCK

11/16/08---What is that bright thing in the sky? Wow—that’s the sun! It sure is nice to see blue sky for a change. We returned the rental car to Corinth with the trip mileage showing 460. That means it is 230 road miles from Counce, TN to Demopolis, AL. It takes a good 4 hrs just to drive the route one way.

Warmed up the diesel engines and with guidance from dock manger Chip Lucas we eased out of the Grand Harbor Marina at 10:15 a.m. and headed down the Tombigbee. Just before leaving you could catch Keith and Chip showing off their Grand Harbor jackets.

The route from Pickwick Lake to Mobile Bay is commonly called the Tenn-Tom waterway. Construction on the project to create this route was begun in 1972. It is the largest civil works project ever undertaken by the Army Corp of Engineers. It cost two Billion dollars to connect the Tennessee River in Mississippi, to the Black Warrior River in Alabama a distance of 253 miles. The waterway was opened January 14, 1985. The deepest cut made was 174 feet with one five mile section averaging 75 feet of cut. More dirt was moved to build the Tenn-Tom than was moved to build the Panama Canal. Connecting to the Black Warrior River allows traffic to access Mobile Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway. The total distance from the Tennessee River to Mobile Bay is 470 miles.

Today we set the throttles at 2300 RPM and traveled at 9.7 MPH. The 2 MPH current helped move us along with the lower throttle setting. The trip today was pleasant as the trees along the bank are still colorful and there was almost no traffic. We only met one tow and slowed down a couple of times for fishermen in small boats. The plan was to stop about 2 miles above the Witten Lock and Dam knowing that tomorrow will be a much busier day as we will go through the first four locks. We only traveled 36 miles arriving at mile 414 at 3:00 p.m. We turned to the port and went into a nice area protected by trees, and well off the main channel. We anchored in about 20 feet of water to allow room for the boat to swing around a single anchor off the bow. It is difficult to find shallow water as there was 50’ to 55’ of water most places coming into this cove. Having been warned about the possibility of getting the anchor stuck, we rigged it with a trip line and a floating marker. It really gets dark when there are no lights around! It creates a bit of a strange feeling to look out and not be able to see anything. Only the compass tells us that the boat continually moves around slowly.

CHANGED PLAN

11/15/08---Awakened to low clouds, light fog, and 20 MPH winds. The flags were sticking straight out. Not a good day to move the Dream Manor. Flexibility is a great thing when possible. So we decided to move Keith's van to Demopolis, Alabama. Drove to Corinth, MS and picked up a rental car. Drove both vehicles to Demopolis and returned to the boat with the rental. Conditions are improving and once we start moving the boat it should take about 5 days to reach Demopolis.

READY

11/14/08---It has been foggy the last few mornings. So we are planning a short run of 38 miles to Bay Springs Marina after the fog burns off. That will put us in position to make it through 4 locks the next day. We made final preparations to begin moving farther south. Checked fluids in the engines, took on diesel fuel, pumped out holding tank and filled fresh water tank. Made a trip to town for misc supplies and plenty of groceries. The weather is supposed to be clear and cool. If conditions remain good we should be in Demopolis, Alabama in about 5 days.

PREPARING

11/13/08---Still having a problem with fuses blowing on the engine batteries. Spent time trouble shooting and talking to the Gibson plant. At least had success getting the 12 volt galley lights to work above the sink. Those lights are being powered by the port engine battery. Maryann is much happier, and believe me it is important to keep the cook in a good humor.

Spent time with Chip Lucas going over the Tenn-Tom charts. He is a very experienced captain who has traveled that waterway over 100 times. The information he provides will be most helpful.