October 30 - Silas AL to Anchorage (Mile 52.8)

After a peacefull night at Bobby's Fish Camp, we continued our cruise on the Tenn-Tom. Since the "Dolly Parton" bridge at Mile 22 was to be replaced, river traffic was to be stopped for three days. Many tows were trying to beat this evening's deadline. Within a few miles, we must have passed three southbound and two northbound tows.  We were not in a hurry since there was an alternate route pleasure craft could follow. Today we passed a massive building project with a very large dock and cranes. Not again wanting to travel at night, we dropped our anchor at the Alabama River Cut-Off at Mileage 52.8. Today we covered 66 miles.

October 29 - Demopolis AL to Silas AL

It was quite cold this morning, but the sun was shining - what more do you need! A few miles after having left the marina, we came to the Demopolis Lock. Since we had to wait 45 minutes, we explored a small inlet - home to the U.S.C.G. cutter Wedge. After locking through, we were treated to a great sight of the long spillway spreading water over the rock ledges. Not wanting to go all the way to Bobby's Fish Camp, we decided to anchor out in Bashi Creek.  Once having arrived, we found a rather narrow creek in which another boat was anchored. Not being satisfied with the anchoring space left for us, we decided to continue another 26 miles to Bobby's Fish Camp. Six years ago we, along with the Bloughs, had our Thanksgiving Dinner at this spot. Besides the fact that the floating docks now have power, not much has changed. The last 10 miles to Bobby's Fish Camp were covered by the light of the moon.

                                                                 

October 28 - Anchorage (Mile 287.4) to Demopolis AL

After a peacefull night at anchor, we returned to the Tom Bigbee - destination for the day was Demopolis at Mile 216. Weather was not the best - lots of rain, windy and cold. The only good thing is the weather forecast - lots of sunshine to come. At Mile 249 we came to the white cliffs of Epes. A few miles further was the half way point between the beginning of the Tom Bigbee and Mobile AL.



Dinner this evening was at the marina restaurant (see picture below). Afterwards I borrowed the marina courtesy car and went shopping for food, etc. We turned in around 10:00 P.M.

October 27 - Columbus MS to Anchorage (Mile 287.4)

This morning we said farewell to our Michigan friends and headed back to the Tom Bigbee. Before astarting out, we called the Stennis Lock to check how long we would need to wait before locking down. We were told to figure on a 45 minutes wait.

Around lunch time we arrived at the Bevill Lock and Dam. Before locking down, we visited the 108 foot snagboat Montgomery. This boat was used to clean the rivers of floating debris such as trees, etc. Nearby is the Tom Bevill Resource Management & Visitors Center, housed in a replica of a southern style mansion. If you are ever in the area, be sure to visit these two attractions. After our visit, we locked through and continued to our anchorage for the night.

October 26 - Columbus MS

This morning was our cleaning day. Ed, Virg and Sue cleaned the interior, changed sheets, etc. Henk took care of the laundry and later he and Ed cleaned the exterior of the boat.

Around 2:00 p.m. we said good bye to Sue, Virg and Ed and hello to Chuck. Chuck will be with me for the coming week. Later that afternoon Chuck and I helped the local economy - we purchased the food and drink required for the coming week.

After having returned from our shopping trip, we were welcomed by some new arrivals. These included Ron and Karlene Redders (Blue Line), Jim and Sharon Angel (Blue Angel) and Scott and Nancy Diedrich (Mary Jo). The Redders live in Kentwood MI, the Angels call Grand Haven MI home and the Diedrichs have their home in Port Sheldon MI.  The Diedrichs live next to Melody Hisko, my colleague for many years. Melody retired from Witte Travel a few years ago. This evening's meal featured brats and chips.

October 25 - Aberdeen MS to Columbus MS

After a relaxing breakfast, we topped off our fuel tanks. The pump was very slow and the entire process took close to 45 minutes. In less then a mile, we came to our only  lock for the day - the Stennis Lock and Dam. We were the only boat being locked through. The distance to our next marina was just 24 miles. This afternoon I got a much needed hair cut while the rest of the crew went shopping for our "farewell dinner".

This afternoon we saw a boat being towed into the marina. This boat had a freaky accident. It capsized and ended up on its side with just a few feet of its hull above water. Luckily all aboard were saved. We understand that the combination of being top heavy, having an inexperienced captain onboard and the prop wash of a large tug might be contributing factors to the accident.

We also heard from Chuck that he and his wife were enoute to Columbus MS and are expected to arrive around noon time on the 26th. Thus one day later then planned.

October 24 - Fulton MS to Aberdeen MS

Our last full day with Sue Schuitema and Ed and Virginia Hoezee. Another sunny and warm day - how fortunate and blessed we are! Our trip included three locks - the Fulton Lock, the Wilkins Lock and the Amory Lock. Ed has become a great help and "locking through" became a no stress experience.  Scenery was breathtaking - the fall colors were getting more pronounced.

 

Towards mid afternoon we arrived in Aberdeen Marina, located close to the Aberdeen Lock. Getting to the marina takes you on a zig-zag course through a swampy area with some cypress tree knees and yellow flowers, all very picturesque. Shortly after our arrival, we used the courtesy car, a very old Lincoln which we used six years ago, for a tour of Aberdeen. This town is known for its many antebellum and Victorian homes. In the early evening we got a call from Chuck Koning, my next crew member, with some disturbing news. Chuck had a vertigo attack and was hospitalized. By the time he called, Chuck was starting to feel better and would hear within the hour if he could be released. He advised that he would also check with his doctor if it was allright for him to make the trip on the Marco Polo II. Later that evening we were relieved to hear that Chuck was released from the hospital and received approval for the trip.