Rattlesnake Bend, AL to Demopolis, Al

October 31^st, 2015
Saturday
Miles Traveled 8.26
Total Miles Traveled 971
Day 52

We had a short cruise to Kingfisher Bay Marina, located near Demopolis, AL this morning.  We had a total of 6 boats at our anchorage last night at Rattlesnake Bend and awoke to cloudy skies.  Periods of heavy rain was predicted for this afternoon, tonight, and tomorrow so we are staying at the marina for a couple of days.  I kept an eye out for those rattlesnakes but we didn't see any, did you know that rattlesnakes can live to be 30 years old?

While checking in, the harbormaster told us that the marina was having their annual Halloween Party on the dock at 5 and everyone is welcome.

 

Harbormaster, his wife, and a local boater.

Happy Halloween!

Sumpter Rec Area, AL to Rattlesnake Bend, AL

October 30^th, 2015
Friday
Miles Traveled 45.0
Total Miles Traveled 963
Day 51

Since we were only 6 miles from our anchorage to the next lock, we decided to leave later and let the other boats that anchored with us last night lock through together.  We could hear the lockmaster at Heflin Lock on our radio, so when the group left the lock, we left our anchorage.  While preparing to leave, two other boats going down the river called the lock and requested passage, so the four of us locked through at 10:30.

As we approached the town of Epes Alabama, the west bank of the river was lined with white cliffs.  We’re not sure what type of rock this is, but it almost looked like white clay.  Several miles of the river was lined with these cliffs.

 

 

Firebird-- 36 ft.  Grand Banks

This yacht cruises at over 22 mph and pushes a lot of water in the process.  He was very courteous and called us on the radio before passing, we both reduced our speed.

 

We are starting to see Spanish moss on the trees, I hope that’s an indication we are below the frost line!

Bevill Lock & Dam, AL to Sumpter Landing, AL

October 29^th , 2015

Thursday

Miles Traveled 37.4
Total Miles Traveled 918
Day 50

We left our anchorage at 9 this morning but didn’t get through Tom Bevill Lock until well after 10.  Just as the level in the lock dropped about 2 feet, another boat called the lockmaster wanting to lock through.  The lockmaster refilled the lock, opened the chamber doors and let “Kilt Drifter” in with us.  We are starting to see more boats heading south for the winter, not all of them are doing the Great Loop.  This is the river system of choice for those heading to the Gulf of Mexico.

We passed this grain elevator loading a barge this afternoon.

Good anchorages are far a few between on the Tenn-Tom Waterway, we shared this spot with 6 other boats today.

 

 

This was a really nice anchorage but zip on the cell phone provider access. 

 

Columbus Marina, MS to Bevill Lock & Dam, AL

October 28^th, 2015
Wednesday
Miles Traveled 28.5
Total Miles Traveled 881
Days 48, 49
 
We were not the only loopers that decided to leave the marina today, there were 6 of us locking through this morning at the John C Stennis Lock and Dam.  The forecast was light wind and 15% chance of rain, so we had our 15% as soon as we all entered the lock chamber.

After an hour or so, the sun popped through the clouds and the temperature made it to the mid 70’s this afternoon. We have seen very few houses since we entered the Tenn-Tom Waterway;  I’m not sure why this telephone booth was located next to the river?

This is our first lighthouse since starting the loop, I hear they get bigger as you head South.

We arrived at our anchorage at the Tom Bevill Lock and Dam.  There is a visitor’s center located here and the US Snag Boat Montgomery.  Built in 1926 the Montgomery was the last steam-powered sternwheeler to ply the inland waterways of the south.  For nearly six decades, the Montgomery labored to keep seven of the South’s major rivers navigable.
 

This diagram is a representation of the water elevation drop on the Tenn-Tom Waterway.

 

We asked at the visitor’s center if we could tour the lock and were told that since 911 no one was permitted in the lock area.  We walked around looking at the exhibits and decided to try our luck at the lock.  We walked several hundred feet to the Dam and Lock area enclosed with chain link fence and a security gate and I pressed a button to call the lockmaster.  After two attempts we didn’t get a response.  I was ready to give up, but Joe (Firebird) tried again and the lockmaster answered.  Joe explained that we had called him earlier in the day for permission to anchor next to the Dam and we would like to tour the lock.  He said they don’t normally allow it but to come on in.  He opened the gate and we walked to the control room and met Herman the lockmaster.

 
We had a great visit and while we were talking, a tow approached the lock, so guess who operated the doors and valves in the lock chamber? 

 

 

After the tow locked through, and Moni didn’t push the wrong buttons, Herman told us that he was an avid hunter and is going to retire in about 6 months.   He is going to build a place in the Mobile Alabama area, and took us to a room that he is storing some of his hunting trophies.

Herman is a great guy and we really appreciated him explaining the lock operation and sharing his personal story with us.  This country is full of really nice people, and we have met a lot of them during our adventure.
 

The end of another great day on the loop!
 

 

 

 

Columbus Marina, MS Day 2

October 26^th, 2015
Monday
Miles Traveled 0
Total Miles Traveled 852
Day 47

We stayed another day at the marina, waiting for the rain and wind to pass from hurricane Patricia.  We borrowed the courtesy car and drove to Columbus to see the sites. 

One of our stops was Twelve Gables; Twelve Gables is famous for being the meeting place of local ladies who met in 1866 to plan a special day to decorate the graves of the Confederate and Union soldiers in Friendship Cemetery. This ceremony led to our country’s Memorial Day.  The homes in this area avoided destruction during the civil war because the town pulled together to treat wounded Union and Confederate soldiers.

Twelve Gables, built in 1838

 

The Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center is the first home of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams. The author made history with well-known plays such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Glass Menagerie. 

There are several pre-civil war homes in town that are in remarkable condition.

 

 

We’re taking this rainbow as a signal the storm is over and it's time to get back on the river.

 

 

We’ve received word from other loopers that have made it to Mobile.  They have reported 8 foot waves in Mobile Bay and flooded streets at the marina they are staying.  The only transportation around the marina is big trucks.  Hopefully hurricane Patricia is the last storm of the season.

 

Columbus Marina, MS

October 25^th, 2015
Sunday
Miles Traveled 0
Total Miles Traveled 852
Day 46
 
We have decided to stay at Columbus Marina for a few days, the reminisce of hurricane Patricia is producing 2 to 3 inches of rain and 15 to 25 mph winds tomorrow.  We have also met gold loopers “Priorities” that we met 2 years ago when they started the great loop.  After the completion of the Great Loop, they live on their boat here in the summer, and cruise to Florida in the winter. 

We borrowed the courtesy van today and visited the Waverley Mansion.  The Waverley Plantation Mansion, built by Colonel George Hampton Young in the 1850s near the Tombigbee River between Columbus and West Point, Mississippi, was occupied by the Young family until 1913, when the house was closed up with the death of son William Young. Waverley remained unoccupied for almost 50 years, until fate brought it to the attention of Donna and Robert Snow of Philadelphia, Mississippi. 

 

                        This magnolia tree, at the entrance to the mansion, is over 200 years old.

                                                                      The leaves look like rubber.

We were given a personal tour by the daughter of the Snows which still lives in the mansion with her 90 year old father.

 

 

The portrait above the fireplace is Mrs. Snow, I have seen portraits that gave the allusion of the eyes following you when walking from one side of the room to the other.  The face of Mrs. Snow appears to follow you as you move across the room.   

 

 

The 1861 hand-carved rosewood Steinway piano, one of only eight made, has an off-center keyboard.

 

We had docktails on our boat this evening with "Firebird", "Priorities" and "Perigee"

 

 

Smithville, MS to Columbus, MS

October 24^th, 2015
Saturday
Miles Traveled 42.5
Total Miles Traveled 852
Day 45

We had an early start to an eventful day.  This is “Firebird” at our anchorage this morning at sunrise.

 

We locked through 3 locks today, our first was within sight of our anchorage last night.  A tow came in just before our departure so we had to wait for him to lock through.  The second lock was only 6 miles downstream so by the time we locked through and made it to the second lock, the tow was approaching the chamber. 

 We could smell the fresh cut pine a half mile away from this mulch processing plant.

 

I finally caught a good shot of an eagle today, I had a closer shot but couldn’t get to the camera fast enough.

 

The third lock was 14 miles so we figured we would pass the tow and lock through before he arrived.  I called the tow on the radio and asked if we could pass, he replied on his “one whistle” which in tow speak is on his port, or left side.  He informed me it was all clear.  We passed in a very narrow but straight channel and could see the next lock about 2 miles out, so I called the lockmaster for passage.  I was informed we would lock through “after” the tow.  Now, there was no communication on the radio, so we can assume the tow and the lockmaster had already had an agreement that the tow would go first.  I’m not sure why the tow didn’t ask us to wait because the lock was waiting for him.  “Firebird” dropped his anchor and we tied up to him and ate lunch while waiting for the tow.

 

We planned to stay at the Columbus Marina tonight which was 22 miles from the 3^rd lock.  Moni and I decided we were not going to pass the tow again and if we caught him before the marina, we would reduce speed.  “Firebird” was behind us and in agreement with our decision.  We caught him about 6 miles from the marina and he reduced his speed from 7 mph to 3.5 mph and was favoring the starboard side of the channel.  We assumed he was slowing for us to pass, so I called him on the radio and asked if we could pass on his “one whistle”.  He replied yes, it is all clear.  We increased speed and about half way past the first barge, the tow increased his speed to match ours?  We increased our speed again to about 9.5 mph and was barley gaining on him---- and we were in a narrow channel.  The water was boiling from the back of the tow and “Firebird” had to back off.  I looked back at the tows pilot house and could see at least 4 people watching the show.  I called the tow on the radio and asked if he didn’t want us to pass, we would have gladly followed him to our destination. He replied that he had to blow the soot from his engines and would back off and let us pass.   

I guess it was a boring day on the Tenn-Tom Waterway for the Captain of “Alice Parker” and a good learning experience for “Moni Jean”.  We made it to port safe and sound.  I must add that all of the tows that we have encountered since starting the loop have been very professional and courteous.

 

 

Cotton Springs, MS to Smithville, MS

October 23^rd, 2015
Friday
Miles Traveled 35.9
Total Miles Traveled 810
Day 44

Today was a busy day; we locked through 4 locks and anchored just off the channel before the Glover Wilkins Lock at Smithville, MS.  Our first lock was the Jamie Whitten Lock with a drop of 84 feet.  As we entered the lock, another boat “American Pie 2” joined us.  Since we all cruise about the same speed, the lockmaster called ahead to have the next lock ready for us.

 

The second lock proved to be an eye opener for “Firebird”, somehow a rattle snake was in the lock where they were tying up…and yes it was alive! 
 

We cruised through part of a 44 mile section of the waterway that is built on the side of a hill.  The west side of the waterway is held in place by a man made levee.  Failure of this levee would not only flood the adjacent land to the west, but also drain the canal.

This was the view from the last lock of the day, the drop here was about 30 feet.

 

We anchored off the channel here about 3 this afternoon, ready for lock 5 in the morning.

 

 

Grand Harbor Marina, MS to Cotton Springs, MS

October 22^nd , 2015
Thursday
Miles Traveled 37.8
Total Miles Traveled 774
Day 43
 
Today we started our adventure south on the Tenn-Tom waterway.  The Tenn-Tom waterway connects the Tennessee River at Pickwick Lake with the Tombigbee River at Demopolis, AL.  This 253 mile canal was originally proposed back in the late 1700’s by the French as a way of connecting these two navigable rivers, no effort was ever made to complete the waterway until much later. The waters connecting Demopolis, AL to Mobile are called the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway.

Over the years numerous proposals were made to the US Government and finally in December 1972 work began on the canal.  From 1972 to 1985 work progressed on the Tenn-Tom Waterway and after spending nearly 2 billion dollars, the waterway was dedicated on Jun 1, 1985.  This mammoth undertaking moved more earth than was moved in the construction of the Panama Canal, and is relatively unknown throughout the US to the general public.

The waterway shortened the trip for vessels to various ports by as much as 720 miles.  Vessels going from Pensacola, FL to Chattanooga, TN would travel only 771 miles via the Tenn-Tom Waterway instead of 1541 miles via the Mississippi River.  In addition vessels could avoid the swift currents of the Mississippi River when north bound.

The first section of the waterway we encountered was the Divide Cut, at this point the water is at 414 feet above sea level.  The Tenn-Tom Waterway was cut through the backbone of the land here to a depth of as much as 175 feet for a distance of nearly 25 miles.  The Tenn-Tom Waterway has a total of 10 Locks, the first lock will drop us 84 feet, and the remainder will drop us about 30 feet each.

Entering the Tenn-Tom from Yellow creek.  The green buoy on the right tells us that we need to turn left to stay on the waterway.

 

Entering the Divide Cut Section of the Waterway.

 

We spotted this bashful coyote, every time I snapped a picture he had his head down.

 

The waterway is narrow but wide enough to pass the tows, this tow was pushing fuel barges, the captain of the tow radioed “Firebird” and ask him if he had a Pontiac emblem on his boat. 

Baffles are placed where the discharge waters of creeks enter the waterway to prevent debris and erosion.

“Moni Jean” and “Firebird” anchored in Cotton Springs, AL.

 

Grand Harbor Marina, MS

October 21^st , 2015
Wednesday
Miles Traveled 0
Total Miles Traveled 736
Day 42

We had originally planned to leave the marina today but decided to stick to our original plan to not have a schedule.  We talked to “Firebird” this morning and they were using the courtesy car to visit the Corinth Civil War museum and asked us to join them.  We visited the Shiloh battlefield on our way to Chattanooga but didn’t take the time to visit Corinth.

During 1861, Corinth served as a mobilization center for Confederate troops.  After the fall of Tennessee Forts Henry and Donelson in February 1862, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston made the Memphis-Charleston railroad his line of defense. It was believed that if this east-west supply line were cut, the upper South would be divided and the Western Theater would probably be lost.

The Siege of Corinth was an American Civil War battle fought from April 29 to May 30, 1862.  The town was a strategic point at the junction of two vital railroad lines, the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. The siege ended as the Confederates withdrew. The Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant took control and made it the base for his operations to seize control of the Mississippi River Valley, and especially the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi. At least 300,000 troops were in or around Corinth during the course of the war, making it the largest aggregate number of troops ever assembled in the Western Hemisphere.

 

This is the junction of Mobile and Ohio Railroad and the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.  The crossing of the Memphis-Charleston and the Mobile-Ohio Railroads was considered for a while in 1862 to be the 16 most important square feet in the Confederacy. Today the tracks are in the same beds.

 We have been cruising on the Tennessee River since we started the Loop September 10th.  When we arrived at Grand Harbor marina, we turned off the Tennessee River at mile marker 215.1 and entered Yellow Creek, the junction of the Tennessee and Tombigbee Rivers referred to as the Tenn-Tom Waterway. 

 

 

Pickwick Lake, AL to Grand Harbor Marina, MS

October 20^th, 2015
Tuesday
Miles Traveled 15.3
Total Miles Traveled 736
Day 41

Another cold morning, 38 degrees with a lot of steam coming off the water.  The water temperature this morning was 66 degrees.  This is our view from the lower helm, can you see "Firebird" and "Spiritus"?

 

By 9 o’clock the sun warmed up the air enough to burn off the steam.  Two rock piles mark the entrance to our anchorage.  They were hard to see this morning.

 

 

“Firebird” leaving our anchorage

 

“Spiritus” leaving our anchorage

 

Grand Harbor Marina