to Demopolis, AL

Since my last post, I have been working a lot as we continued to travel down the Tenn-Tom. Although there isn't a whole lot going on at the marinas along the way, the scenery is beautiful and all of the people we've met are really nice, both loopers and those who work at the marinas. All of the marinas had courtesy cars that we used to go into town – although the definition of town varied at each location. We stayed at Bay springs, Midway, Columbus, and Pirate's Cove; and anchored one night with Pam and Ted. For those of you traveling this route, definitely visit Columbus. It's a great stop. There's a decent-sized town and the people were extraordinarily friendly. Another suggestion is to pass on Pirate's Cove. It was run down, and the restrooms must have been really bad since Rob suggested that I stay away from them. 

At times we're going up river, and at times down.
This is just a reminder so we know which side the bouys should be on.

Fog lifting at Midway

Leaving the Whitten Lock (84') with Jim and Brenda on Dream Catcher.

Dinner on Lady Royal with Pam and Ted on Patience

Downtown Columbus, Mississippi

Tennessee Willams home, Columbus, Mississippi

Dinghy ride while anchoring.

Anchored in Pickensville, AL

U.S. Snagboat Montgomery, one of the last of its kind.

Tom Beville Visitor Center

Inside the Tom Beville Visitor Center

Tom Beville Visitor Center

We met up with Louis, Louise (General Delivery) and Jean-Marie and Agnes (Nama Ka), and anchored at the Sumpter Recreation Area in Aliceville, AL. Unfortunately, it rained all day so we didn't venture out into the area. We got to Demopolis, AL on November 16, just in time to celebrate Rob's Birthday. Thanks to Pam, Ted, Louis, Louise, Agnes, Jean-Marie, Sue, Darrell and Seppo for celebrating with us! While in Demopolis, we visited the downtown area, re-provisioned, and toured two plantation homes, Gaineswood and Bluff Hall, both of which are National historic landmarks and built with money made made in the cotton industry. Gainesville's history was more than odd, with family members marrying each other; and Bluff Hall was built by the slaves of Allen Glover for his daughter, Sarah.

Fresh birthday muffins (first time baking on Lady Royal)!

Rob's Birthday Dinner

Log cabin behind Bluff Hall. The cabin is authentic, but was not at this location.
We were told that 15 slaves lived here at one time.

"Cyclopedias" exhibited at Bluff Hall

Cotton Plant

Louise and Agnes, Downtown Demopolis, AL

Downtown Demopolis

Gaineswood

Rob and I, with Loise and Louis, at Gainesville

Rob in Gainesville

Traveling down the Tenn-Tom River

Tenn-Tom River

Tenn-Tim Scenery

White Cliffs, Epes, AL

White Cliffs, Epes, AL

Tomorrow we will head down the Black Warrior River (the bottom half of the Tenn-Tom) with 200 miles to go until we get to Mobile, AL. Dan informed us that we'll be heading through the Choctaw National Wildlife preserve where we're permitted to hunt for both deer and wild hogs. It's time to pull out the camouflage! Two-hundred miles doesn't seem like a lot, until you consider that we travel at about 8 miles an hour, and about fifty miles a day. There is only one marina, and I use that term loosely. It's a barge that boats can tie up to and raft off of each other – but we understand it has the best catfish on the river! We will anchor a few times, and plan to get to Mobile on November 21.