October 21, 2014 - In Columbus, MS

Since leaving the Looper rendezvous in northern Alabama two days ago, we have been traveling with some other loopers from Petoskey, Mi, Mark and Vicki Hill and their yellow lab, Daisy.  We spent the first two nights rafted to one another in gorgeous anchorages  along the Tennessee/Tom Bigbee waterways.

Just at the point where the states of Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi meet, we left the Tennessee River and began our long journey (450 miles) down the Tom Bigbee waterway.   This consists of  a canal connecting the Tennessee, Tombigbee, and Black Water rivers to Mobile Bay, thus allowing commercial tugs to push barges loaded with various products to and from the Gulf of Mexico at a fraction of the cost as compared to rail or trucking. From 1972 to 1985 work progressed on the Tenn-Tom Waterway and after spending nearly 2 billion dollars, the waterway was dedicated on June 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. Vessels going from Pensacola, FL to Chattanooga, TN can travel 771 miles via the Tenn Tom Waterway instead of 1541 miles via the Mississippi.

Over the past few days we locked through a total of six different locks which dropped us anywhere from 25 to 84 feet.  The entire trip has been through rural areas with beautiful landscapes and the river carving itself (with the help of machines) through rock formations and forests, under highways and railroad tracks. Tonight we actually rafted with three other boats in a cove off the river offering protection from the wind and currents.  For one night, in addition to Mark and Vicki, we were joined by a couple from the state of Washington and a Canadian couple.  

Mark & Daisy by the waterfall...beautiful anchorage

Daisy, the queen of the universe, along with Mark enjoying the solitude of the anchorage

Beautiful scenery along the Tom-Bigbee Waterway

We are now in Columbus Marina in Columbus, MS, where we landed last night around 5:00 p.m. and spent today, with plans to leave tomorrow morning for our journey south. Today, accompanied by Mark & Vicki, we took advantage of the courtesy van from the marina and took a tour of the Waverly Mansion, a cotton plantation from the Civil War era that fortunately escaped devastation by the union army. Last night we enjoyed a fantastic meal at Huck's and lunch today at Proffitt's Porch. Both were outstanding places, recommended by folks with local knowledge. Tonight we joined other Loopers for a gathering by the marina office.

While we have many more photos, internet connection isn't strong enough to download them all.  Stay tuned for more photos.