Days 184-186- October 17, 18, & 19 Iuka, MS to Midway Marina, Fulton, MS to Columbus, MS
Tennessee River, Tenn-Tom Waterway, Tombigbee River
A 525-mile long river that flows through the states of Mississippi and Alabama. The name Tombigbee, comes from the Choctaw word for "coffin makers," referring to tribesmen who prepared the dead. 
Welcome to fall on the rivers!
Chilly nights and relatively warm water means fog, fog fog. The treetops could be in sunshine, but that first 40 feet above the water reminds me of Maine.
Chilly nights and relatively warm water means fog, fog fog. The treetops could be in sunshine, but that first 40 feet above the water reminds me of Maine.
Tippy toe slow, radar on, autopilot driving on a route.
As the first hour or so passes, the sun does the job.
That bird ever so kindly flew across the sun as I took the photo.
Yay, it is burning off.
Well, maybe not quite yet!
Ok, now it's gone for the day.
...and then, one more patch of it.
These structures show you where a river or a creek enters the waterway from a higher elevation. The 'teeth' break up the flow of water so it doesn't cause a problem in the channel. All the ones we saw were dry, but spring might be a different story.
The sights on the rivers are a bit redundant
so seeing a bridge or a bird is a big deal.
A Great Blue Heron enjoying the warmth.
Starting to see some yellow clay on the banks.
The Jamie Whitten Lock, the first on the Tenn-Tom waterway. We are on our way from about 390 feet above sea level to the Gulf and this is a pretty good head start!
Before...
dropping...
still dropping...
31' boat looks tiny...
We all look tiny...
And After! 84 feet down. The deepest lock on the whole Loop.
The most heavily reinforced gate we have seen.
Exiting the lock.
More industry along the water.
More tows too.
Amazed how many of the trees are still in place all the years since the dams
were built and the flooding occurred. Some are even living.
were built and the flooding occurred. Some are even living.
Another cold night, how cold? 37f (3c)
Deja Vu
More locks...
More trees and birds...
Sunny and no winds.
The new railroad bridge.
The old railroad bridge.
The old railroad depot.
This is how it works on the Loop. Boats randomly travel the same direction at the same time. Sometimes just for an hour, sometimes for a few days at a time. These were our 'Looper Buddies' for a couple of days.
Something I've never seen before. For half the cost of repainting this old Hatteras, he had it vinyl wrapped. He did mention that his wife didn't see it until it was done. Not quite sure what her reaction was, but he had a pal crewing for him...
Enjoyed seeing blooming flowers again.
Tows are our friends. They can be challenging to maneuver around, especially when the channel is bending around curves. But, for the most part, the tow masters are happy we call and ask their preference on how we do it. Most of us are equipped with AIS (Automated Identification System), so we can see them and they can see us miles before we meet. We can call them by name. Nobody likes surprises in this business.
A large flock of while pelicans.
DAY 186
October 19
What do cruisers do on a day off from travel? You guessed it.
While your underwear is in the washing machine, you might as well take a walk in the local park. Maybe find a geo-cache while you're at it.
Find number 2 for Paul!!
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Paul comments in this font
Cheryl comments in this font
Cheryl comments in this font
Two questions if I may. Inquiring ducks want to know. Have you considered play Deep Purples Smoke on the water when river fog acts up? The camouflage Hatteras is a bit much but wondering if I you both considered placing some vinyl “snow goose” goose wings on the Nordic? Great pictures and commentary as always.
ReplyDeleteWHY, oh, WHY, didn't we think about playing Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water or vinyl goose wings?!!?? Silly us...
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