Bay Springs MS. to Demopolis AL

Oct. 19 – Oct. 24

We left our quiet scenic anchorage to a beautiful sunny day and traveled 9 ½ hours, 57 miles through 5 locks with a combined total drop in elevation of 224 feet. Whew! Our intentions were to tie up to a free dock that night in Aberdeen but there was a BBQ/Bluegrass festival going on and the dock was full so we pulled into a marina across the river instead. Once we were tied up there was a gentleman there that offered us a ride (by pontoon boat) and took us to the festival. What a great time. There were several venders selling BBQed everything and several bands playing music.

 

 One of the locks we had to tie up with a tow and barges as we locked through.

 

 The channel to a marina in Aberdeen MS.

 

 BBQ/Bluegrass Festival.

 

From there we stopped in Columbus MS where we met up with some friends from Spring Lake (Steve & Sheli – MV Pura Vita) & our Canadian friends (Jim & Mimi - MV Perfect Balance).

"Riverwalk" A 4 mile pathway near downtown Columbus along the waterway.

 

We left Columbus and headed south to anchor for one night by the Tom Bevill lock. There is a visitor center there where you can tour the US Snagboat Montgomery. This snagboat was built in 1926, is 108 feet long, and 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 rivers navigable. The visitor center offers a small dock were we could put our dinghy, but once there we found out the visitor center was closed that day. But all was not lost. The lock was right next door and the lock master let us in and gave us a tour of the inside of the control building. Now, that was not only interesting but fun. Sherri even got to push the buttons on the control panel to close the lock gates.

US Montgomery.

 

 Tom Bevill Lock.

 

Our next night was another anchorage and then on to Columbus AL. There we met up with some more friends from MI, (Jim & Sharon – MV Blue Angel) who we will be traveling with south to FL & Bahamas. While at Columbus we got to tour one of the tugs that we have been passing while on the rivers.

 

 Spanish moss.

 

 White cliffs of Epes. (white chalk)

 

 This deer swam across the river right in front of us.

 

 The tug boat Earl Devall.

 

 One of the engines.

 

 The galley.

 

 The bridge.