November 1, 2014 - Catching us up-to-date

Waverly Mansion in Clay County, MS, declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Miraculously, this plantation was never the scene of a battle or raid during the Civil War. It was built in 1852 and owned by the Young family, who were all deceased by the early 1900's. After this, the mansion deteriorated due to years of neglect. This was a local hangout for teenagers and college students and was miraculously not seriously vandalized. Robert & Donna Snow purchased Waverly in 1962 and restored it once again as a showplace of architecture and history. Mr. Snow still lives in the Waverly Mansion and allows it to be open to the public. We were fortunate to have met him while touring.

One of the few remaining old trees from plantation days at Waverly

 Anchored with Blue Willow (Mark & Vicki) at Sumter Landing, AL - a short dinghy ride to shore revealed a lovely campground, devoid of campers, along the water. Because it was such a beautiful evening, we decided to build a fire and roast hot dogs for dinner.

The troops in search of firewood

Feels like camping with the "comforts" of home (on the boat)

Our fearless hunters & gatherers displaying their skills in preparing for fire-building

Roaring fire and roasting dogs

Mark, Vicki & Daisy cozied up around the fire preparing for our short dinghy ride back to the boat

Our favorite photo of the trip, taken by Mark as we left the anchorage in the cool, misty morning. LOVE THIS PHOTO!!!

Dinner with Ron & Amy at Lulu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister's restaurant

First night in our FREE slip at The Wharf in Orange Beach, AL with Ron & Amy

On Tuesday afternoon we rented a Jeep Wrangler and left Wednesday morning for New Orleans to meet up with Mark, Vicki & Daisy.

Jim loving his new wheels

First on our agenda after arriving in New Orleans...fresh, raw oysters!!!!

Big, juicy and delicious...a long-awaited indulgence

Vicki enjoyed her first taste of oysters

Mark, wondering how Vicki will react to her first taste

Downtown New Orleans

Enjoying the downtown architecture

Next stop, Cafe Du Monde for dessert

We all enjoyed the beignets, even though these faces don't show the happy dance our taste buds were doing.

More beignets, please!

O.K., now it's time for the short walk to our hotel for a nap!

We spent the afternoon and evening enjoying the entertainment on Bourbon Street.

One of the street performers working for tips

On Thursday morning we departed on the "mystery trip" surprise for the guys...a Zac Brown concert in Fayetteville, Georgia where we connected with Carey & Martha from "Freedom".

Chilly evening, but our hearts were warm with excitement for the concert to begin

Happy Zac Brown Band fans

Enjoying Zac's band from our lawn seats

Zac entertaining his supporters the following morning (sent to us by Martha and Carey, who attended the event)

We returned to Orange Beach last night and awoke to chilly weather (no snow, however, like our friends and family in the North country). Jim washed the boat and I did laundry before ending our day with a dolphin show just outside Steve & Sheli's boat, then dinner at Bimini Bob's. Another fun evening!

Tomorrow we look forward to a visit from Ron & Carolyn Graves, Jim's cousin and husband from Louisiana. 

October 31, 2014 - Picture update

Since we finally have a decent internet connection, we will attempt to update our photo gallery before  proceeding with details about our past few days.

On the Tennessee River, places where river was lower than normal

Baffles in several locations along the river, used to prevent rivers from "crashing" in

Marking the location of the small town of Holcut, the only town that had to be moved for the building of the Tom-Bigbee  

Spectacular sunset from our anchorage at the E. Mississippi Finger of the 5-Finger Region near New Site, Mississippi

Couldn't get enough of this sunset that filled the sky and the water around us!

Debating as to the type of trees that were located along a good stretch of the waterway

Quite a bit of wilderness area along the river

Blue Willow passing alongside this mammoth tow/barge filled with tanks of contents unknown by us

Columbus Marina entrance...navigating along the marshland with a lot of water plants surrounding us

Anchored with Blue Willow, Tahoma, & Perfect Balance in the Cutoff Anchorage, we awoke to a very foggy morning

Dinner at Huck's Place in Columbus, MS with Mark & Vicki, Carey & Martha

Photo taken by a fellow Looper passing by the entrance of the anchorage...with Blue Willow in the Waterfall Anchorage, one of the prettiest spots along the way

Water plants even living in the locks. Luckily, no problem for our propellers.

An unusual sight...phone booth standing along the riverside. 

E.T. phone home???

Surprising and breathtaking sight along the Tenn-Tom - White Cliffs of Epes

Spectacular!!

Fall colors were a striking contrast to the white cliffs

We just couldn't get enough of this scenery!

Dam area, just outside the Demopolis Lock

Pretty view of the dam and waterfalls in the morning mist

Entering our LAST LOCK (Coffeeville) until we reach the East Coast. 

Leaking water in the lock enclosure wall

Dam at the Coffeeville lock

Casual trip from now until Mobile, AL...no waiting at locks...relieved and relaxed!

Scenery continually changing. This sandy beach area was welcoming for a little sunbathing and beach combing, but we carried on with our river journey.

Still now, evidence of where the land was shaved away to create the Tenn-Tom waterway. The yellow and green  just above the waterline identify the different layers/types of soil.

Now in brackish water, alligators start to appear

This guy leisurely swam across the river in front of the boat, posing for the camera. He was the 2nd of the 3 we saw along the river that same day.

Site where the Alabama River joins the Tenn-Tom, and becomes the Mobile River

Just entering the Mobile River and Mobile, AL 

Surprisingly, much commerce along the river as we enter Mobile

Austal USA Shipyard in Mobile, AL, a branch of the Australian-based shipbuilder - contracted by the U.S. Navy to build ten high-speed transport ships (not used for combat). These are 2 of those transport ships. 

Closer view of this Star-Trek-looking vessel

Mobile Convention Center, located on the waterfront

Downtown Mobile

Near the entrance to Mobile Bay - note the gigantic cargo container transport ship on the right

One of many huge ships near the mouth of Mobile Bay

Many large cargo boxes atop the ship

Bye-bye alligators, hello dolphins! Blue Willow was greeted by the dolphins as we entered Mobile Bay. The dolphin show was a nice welcome to salt water.