Our Great Loop Adventure: October 2013

Friday, October 25, 2013

On Saturday, October 19th we left the Florence Harbor with Perfect Day. We would buddy boat with them until we arrived at Grand Harbor because they had only one working engine. We spent Saturday and Sunday at Grand Harbor which is on the Yellow Creek. Yellow Creek is the beginning of the Divide Cut of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (Tenn-Tom for short). The Tenn-Tom was built to connect the Tennessee and Tombigbee Rivers. Construction began in 1972 and was completed in 1984 at the cost of 2 billion dollars. The system is five times longer than the Panama Canal, 307 million cubic yards of dirt was removed, 2.2 million cubic yards of concrete was poured, and 33,000 tons of steel was used. There are 10 locks to breach the 412 ft. difference between the Tennessee River and Mobile Bay. On Monday Oct. 21st we entered the Divide Cut which is 27 miles long and only 280 feet wide. When this section was first built it looked like a strip mine, but mother nature has now provided trees and foliage to give a beautiful natural setting. The divide cut ends at Bay Springs Lake where we docked at Bay Springs Marina. We stayed Monday and Tuesday so we could have some routine engine maintenance done. On Wednesday we left at 8:00am to enter our first lock (Whitten) of the day. In the lock with us were Journey, Harmony, Priorities, and Miss GG. We formed a convoy and entered the second part of the Tenn-Tom called the Canal Section. This is series of five locks and dams which form five lakes. The purpose of this section was to minimize the environmental impact of the waterway. The group of loopers locked through all five locks and arrived at the Aberdeen Marina at 5:45pm just before dark. It was a long day. But we were all up bright and early to leave Aberdeen behind and locked through the Aberdeen Lock by 9:40. We are now in the last part of the waterway named the River Section. We had a short run to Columbus, Mississippi and we all arrived at the Columbus Marina at 12:30. In the late afternoon SaSea Sally arrived towing a pontoon boat which broke down. They towed it through two locks. There are good samaritans in the world. The loopers met at Summer Recess for docktails and eight of us went to Harvey's for a delicious well deserved dinner. We decided to stay in Columbus another day. We bid farewell to Journey and Harmony as they headed out early this morning. There is a steady stream of jets flying over us because the Columbus Air Force Base is a training center for jet pilots. We took advantage of the courtesy car to go into downtown Columbus. We started at the visitor center located in the childhood home of the American playwrigtht, Tennessee Williams. He was born in Columbus in 19ll. We then took a driving tour to see many of the many historic homes in Columbus. We also visited the campus of Columbus Mississippi University for women. This university is the first public university for women in America established in 1884. It is now a coeducational facility. Many of the buildings on this campus have historic designations. We ended our morning at a "coffee shop." I had a pumpkin spice latte. (Yummy!)

SaSea Sally towing a pontoon boat into Columbus Marina

Rock formation on the Tennessee River

Entering the Tennessee-Tombigbee River

Fall color is beginning

Cypress Trees

Can you find the Eagle in this picture?

Tennessee Williams childhood home

Front of Tennesee Williams House

Ole Homestead ca. 1827

Harpole House ca. 1907

Twelve Gables ca. 1838

Walter Swoope Home ca. 1852

First Memorial Day

Errolton ca. 1848

University Building

Historic Bed and Breakfast

Coffee Shop in Columbus, Mississippi

Friday, October 18, 2013

On Wednesday, October 9th, we left Florence Marina and made our way to the Wilson Lock. This lock will lift us 97' to the level of Wilson Lake. We were the only boat in the lock. Next, we made our way to Wheeler Lock. We tied up to the bollard (line is wrapped around this device to help control the boat as water rises or falls in the lock). The water started to rise, but the bollard did not. We quickly removed the line, Tony grabbed the boat hook and caught the rung of the ladder next to the bollard. He was doing pretty well hanging on but the force of the water was moving us backward into the rear gate of the lock. He was literally hanging from the bow pulpit when the lock master looked down and realized what was happening. He told us to let go, start our engine and control the boat in the center of the lock until the filling procedure was finished. I think I got a few more white hairs after this experience. We finally locked our way through, made our way to Joe Wheeler Park and were greeted by the loopers already there, who helped us dock. We needed three hours to clean the boat after arriving because the auxiliary Wheeler lock left tons of rust stains on the boat, fenders and lines. From Thursday through Sunday, we cleaned, took dinghy rides, walked and greeted and helped new loopers as they came in. We also went into the little town of Rogersville for supplies and lo and behold found the Savannah Cafe. It was a coffee shop. Yea! There was a large docktail party (65 boats are here as well as attendees staying in the lodge) on Sunday before dinner. We were also serenaded every night by Annie and two story trawler with a calliope on the top. We found out later, the owner built the boat himself. It took 15 years. The rendezvous officially kicked off on Monday with registration, a wine and cheese reception followed by dinner. After dinner all the crews of the boats presently looping introduced themselves with information like type of boat, when we started, and a personal anecdote. Tuesday through Thursday was a whirlwind of seminars. Each seminar took a portion of the loop and the presenters gave us advice and suggestions about that leg. It took us all the way to Norfolk, VA. Tuesday, was the looper crawl. Boats are open for viewing by anyone who wanted to see it. The crawl is mainly for the looper wannabes who are making decisions on what boat to purchase for their loop. We had several people board Summer Recess. It made us very proud because we got many compliments. I think Tony convinced one couple that the 39 Mainship was for them. They came back Thursday for a second visit including looking at the engine room. There were many opportunities for all of us to mingle with each other. At dinner on Tuesday we heard from the Gold Loopers (who have finished the loop) and the looper wannabes. All their stories were very interesting. The last dinner was particularly moving. We all realized we now would be going our separate ways and will probably meet some where down the water. The highlight of Thursday was a jam session after dinner. We found out Jim from Sea Fever is a very accomplished pianist. He wowed us with his rendition of "Amazing Grace." Friday morning brought fog, so the three convoys of boats leaving were delayed. We were in the second group of nine boats who left at 9:00a.m. We successfully locked through Wheeler and Wilson and are now back at Florence Marina. It was an amazing experience with a lot of information and a lot of friends. Now it is on to the next leg, the Tenn-Tom to Mobile.