Columbus, MS

 We left Smithville for Columbus, MS a distance of 42 miles and 3 locks.  Columbus is the home of a large airforce base.  It was a beautiful day, light winds and about 80 degrees though a strong front is predicted tomorrow.  We decided to book two nights at Columbus a protected marina to hunker down.

 We saw much wildlife as we motored down the waterway, including deer, eagles, white pelicans, and a water moccasin snake swimming across the channel.

We were about 30 minutes out from the third lock so I called the lockmaster on the phone.  He said 5 other boats were entering the lock but he was going to hold if for us.  We sped up to not delay the folks. I needed to blow out the diesels anyway.  Turned out there were 12 other "loopers" at the marina all heading south.  The marina folks are very accommodating.  They even had a great BBQ meal of pulled pork and all the fixins for us at no charge.  

We have traveled 328 miles from Green Turtle Bay, KY and traversed 8 locks.  

Smithville, MS

We were prepared to leave our anchorage at 0730 for the nearby lock but the lockmaster said he was waiting for a tow so we would not be able to enter until at least 0845.  We entered on time and were on our way by shortly after nine.  This lock has the most lift at 84 feet of the entire trip.  We were lowered into the next "pool" 

We had 4 locks today to reach Smithville Marina.  Our traveling buddies were a trawler (8MPH on a good day) and a sailboat which wide open on the outboard was 7MPH.  So we slowly made our way the 36 miles to the marina.

The lock makes us look small. 

 After being on KY Lake the Ten Tom (short for the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway) was narrow and shallow.  Beautiful autumn colors were beginning to emerge.  

We arrived at Smithville at 2:30PM (1430).  We stayed here in 2006 and not much has changed except the clearing of a house occupied by the owner who was killed here in the tornadoes of the spring of 2011.  It didn't damage the marina but leveled a few buildings about 300 yards away.  Simple marina but with wifi, cable and a courtesy car all was good.  We declined the car and grilled out.
  

The view approaching the marina

Bay Springs Anchorage

 We departed at 0840 for our 56 mile run with 3 locks bound for Midway Marina.  We stayed there in 2007.  Another beautiful day to be on the water.

 Unfortunately we came upon a towboat that had priority at the lock.  The Captain did say we could lock through with him and his two barges carrying sand.  WE declined as he was traveling at 4 MPH, so we would have difficulty making the marina in daylight.  We had 3 locks to pass through so the lockmaster at each lock would wait for the towboat while we cooled our heels.

We decided to anchor near the first lock, after only 39 miles, in a cove with one other trawler.  Good holding in 14 feet of water.  We put the outboard on the dinghy and went to shore for some exercise.  Another good night grilling out.  Glad Admiral Debbie had stocked the galley and the wine cellar.

Grand Harbor Marina, Iuka, MS

 We left at 0820 bound for Iuka, MS and Grand Harbor Marina. 58 miles and one lock called the Pickwick Lock.  Eddie took his shift at the helm.

 Nice cruising on the TN River.

 Nice camp along the river built from shipping containers

We passed a dredge removing sand and gravel from the river bed. 





Pickwick Lock 55 foot lift.  The lock was understaffed, it was Sunday so we had to wait (at anchor) for 2 hours for a towboat to clear before being called to the lock.  Eddie is honing his skills for the locks to follow.

Love the courtesy car we took to dinner.  No charge at most marinas.  

Clifton Marina

 Our next stop was Clifton Marina a distance of 64 miles.  We awakened to ice on the gunwales, deck and the dock.  Deckhand Ed hosed off the dock to remove the ice.  It warmed to 52 degrees and sunny skies. 

 Beautiful boating on the TN River.  We have been running much slower than prior deliveries, about 10 MPH vs. 19-20 in past years.  Less stressful and only uses 30% of the fuel.  

Only two transient vessels here.  The marina had a deli and nothing much in Clifton, TN so we grilled out steaks.

Departing Green Turtle Bay

 We left Island Hopper in Green Turtle Bay Marina near Paducah, KY in a covered slip so we could return to Cincinnati after being gone for almost 3 months.  Since we had now officially completed the loop we ordered a Gold Burgee signifying our achievement.  

I returned to IH on October 23 with my good friend and fraternity brother, Ed Daniel.  He has done this trip to Mobile with me twice before.  We finished our job list in two days and after a great meal at Patti's and a visit to the spa we departed GTB heading south on the TN River on Friday October 25.  

It was a glorious boating day after a day of rain due to a passing cold front.  Clear skies and cold temperatures were to follow.

Our first night took us to Pebble Isles Marina a distance of 73 miles and no locks.  We departed at 0840 and arrived at 415PM (1615).  Here is an abandoned dock in KY Lake after the lake was created it was flooded. 

 It was cold in the morning so we got out and dusted off the trusty heater that is showing its age after being in salt air and little use.  Takes the chill off on the flybridge.



"Sea smoke" on a cold morning.