Back on the River- Fulton, MS to Aurora, Kentucky

After some time at home we're back on the boat and heading North. We currently have a boat slip reserved at Kenlake Marina in Aurora, KY on Kentucky Lake. This may be as far north as we go. Looking at the lack of facilities on the Ohio River and the strong current on the Mississippi combined with the fact that we will have a covered slip at Kenlake, we might just stop there. The covered slip helps a great deal with the summer sun and heat. From Kenlake we can cross the "Land Between the Lakes" and travel on the Cumberland toward Nashville if we decide to.
Day One-We moved 54 miles and through 3 locks from Fulton, MS to Aqua Yacht Harbor Marina near Counce, TN. We were parked where MS, TN and AL all come together. We spent two nights here. Gail enjoyed the pool.
Day Two-We passed through Pickwick Lock, our 31st lock and probably the last one for a while. We continued for 58 miles on the TN River to Clifton, TN. Here on the TN you're traveling North, but downstream and so the red and green buoys switched sides. Yes, it is confusing.
Day Three- Traveled 63 miles from Clifton, TN to Peeble Isle Marina near New Johnsonville, TN. Along the coast the porpoises played in our wake, here it is the jet skis and tubers pulled behind boats.

Day Four-We moved 54 miles to our destination of Kenlake marina. Luckily the heavy rain came after we were tied in the covered slip. Fuel here was $2.58. We averaged 2.34 MPG on this run.

"Smooth waters in Northern, MS"

"Wonder how they unload their pickup?"

"Inside our deepest lock-85 ft."

"Waterfront camping at Pickwick Lake"

"Built it himself on a pontoon boat, "Greenhouse", he has traveled all the way up from Carabelle, FL"

"Playdough is in MS, the houses are in TN and the land just right of the sunrise is in AL"

"You know you are back on the TN River when you see these steep rocky banks"

"What a tug looks like below the waterline"

"Tubers and jet skis play in our wake"

"An old loading dock that sat on the TN River before Kentucky Dam was built"

"Ferry crossing -since there are not many bridges across Kentucky Lake"

"Tugs up here push more barges, 25 here equals 1425 tractor trailer loads of coal"

Columbus, MS to Fulton, MS

We've moved farther north, but evidently not far enough. 95 degree days with heat indecies of 105 have been the trend. The May flies are also headed north. They came through Columbus while we were there, then we caught up with the swarms around Aberdeen. They had not yet arrived in Fulton when we docked there.

Day One-We passed through Aberdeen Lock and covered 23 miles before stopping for the night at Aberdeen Marina.

Day Two-36 miles traveled, locked through at Amory, Wilkins, and Fulton Dams. Docked at Midway Marina in Fulton, MS. Fuel at Midway was $2.59.

We timed our travel both days to arrive by 1:00 pm, just before the most intense heat of the day.

"Just a few of the thousands of May flies we encountered"

"Bugs require more cleaning, inside..."

"And Outside"

"Fertilizer being unloaded from barges"

"We were delayed at this lock due to maintenance work on the doors"

"We came upon these two girls we had read about. They are traveling the Great Loop in this small "Duraboat" as advertisement."

"Does this look like a still, hot morning in MS?"

"A bird's reflection in the still waters"

Exploring Columbus. MS

We've been touring the Columbus, MS area before heading farther north on the river. Columbus Marina is a nice stop and one of the few that are so close to the city.
Every morning between 6:00 and 7:00 you hear the first flights of the Air Force's training aircraft. Many of the Air Force pilots receive their initial flight training at Columbus Air Force Base. In this area are many old homes from the 1800's. Waverly Mansion is one of interest. Built by a gentleman from Oglethorpe Co., GA , it was part of a 50,000 acre plantation along the river. This plantation was a city of its own with 1000 slaves and residents. In one year around 400 hogs were slaughtered to feed the plantation's population. The mansion and 40 acres are now owned by a family who have worked since 1962 to restore the house that sat vacant for 50 years. The Natchez Trace passes close to Columbus as does the Natchez Trace Parkway which parallels the Trace for its' 444 miles. There seems to be more farming in this area. Where catfish was the primary farming around Demopolis, corn and cotton are the crops grown here. The holiday we know as Memorial Day originated in Columbus. MS

"T-38B trainer used by the Air Force"

"Waverly Mansion"

"Plantation's office sits beside the mansion"

"Natchez Trace- land trail used by boatmen to travel back to Ohio River Valley area after floating downstream on rafts to Natchez, MS to deliver goods"

"Home of playwright Tennessee Williams"

Demopolis, AL to Columbus, MS

After arriving back in Demopolis, we took a few days to get supplies and wait on better weather as well as river conditions. While hanging out at Demopolis, we toured the local area. We visited several of the antebellum homes and the visitor's center at the Tom Bevill Lock and Dam. This area is known as the Catfish Capital which is obvious by the multitude of commercial fish farms and the processing facilities.

Day One-We traveled 54 miles and transitioned through one lock, Heflin Lock. We anchored for the evening near Gainesville, AL.

Day Two-After an early start, we covered 65 miles and moved through two locks, Tom Bevill and Stennis. We arrived at the Columbus Marina just after 4:00 pm.

Fuel prices on the river are creeping up just like prices elsewhere. We paid $2.29 per gal. We seemed to be asked most often, "Where are you headed?" Our answer is we don't have a true destination. As of this point, we think we'll work our way north to the Tennessee River and continue north to the TN/Cumberland/Ohio rivers intersection. At that point we'll decide which way to turn. Remember our original plan was to boat for two years. We don't have a lot of time left as the end of this year will be the end of our two years.

"Artwork in a field near Demopolis"

"Gaineswood in Demopolis"

"Foscue House, now a restaurant in Demopolis, AL"

"Magnolia Grove in Greensboro, AL"

"Kirkwood in Eutaw, AL"

"Lack of Erosion Control"

"You must always watch for stray refrigerators floating down the river!"

"Can you see the gray fox in this picture? "

"This log was perfectly balanced behind a bouy"

"Corp. of Engineers keeping the channel clear"

Side trip to Las Vegas

We decided to take a short break from the boat and go to Las Vegas. In the Atlanta airport we talked to a young man who said he could only go to Vegas for 3-4 days and then he needed a break. After being there for seven days, we understood what he was talking about. There are so many things to see and do that it soon becomes overwhelming. For instance, while there we visited:
-9 hotels and casinos
-Red Rock Canyon

-Mt. Charleston

-Bonnie Springs-Old West Town

-Fremont Street Experience

-Cirque de Soleils' Mystere Show

-Kenny Rogers Concert

-Hoover Dam

-Lake Mead

-Treasure Island Pirate Show

-Bellagio's Fountain show

-Caesar's Palace Roman Statues

-Spring Mountain Ranch State Park

-Valley of Fire State Park

-Ethel M(Mars) Chocolate Factory

-Four Tops concert

After all of that we could invision being back on the river anchored all alone in a quiet cove!

"Mt. Charleston still has snow on it"

"Red Rock Canyon"

"Fremont Street Experience is a Giant light show on a canopy that covers the entire street"

"Caesar's Palace Hotel contained many fountains and Roman Statues"

"Las Vegas Strip"

"Spring Mountain Ranch State Park's Resevoir"

"Dancing Fountains at Bellagio Hotel"

"Hoover Dam"

"View of Lake Mead from atop Hoover Dam"

"Valley of Fire State Park included red rock formations"

"Cactus Garden "

Mobile to Demopolis,AL

We were finally successful on our third attempt to leave Mobile, AL. The river levels were not totally back down, but at a manageable level and should get better each day of our four day trip. Some rain was predicted but we were hoping not to be in its' path. On our second night out the rains did come through but mostly North of us. This meant we would be meeting all the run-off as we pushed upstream. We were facing a 3-4 MPH increase in current for most of the trip. This decreased both our speed and fuel mileage. Our average speed was 7.18 MPH (slow!) and our fuel consumption was 1.1 MPG. We did arrive at Demopolis, AL in four days as planned. Along with battling the strong current, we also had plenty of debris to manuever around. It was another adventure to talk about!!

Day 1-From Dog River Marina in Mobile, Al to an anchorage in Bate's Lake near McIntoch, AL 69 miles-9 and1/2 hours

"We met this dredging ship in Mobile Bay"

"Water under this house shows the river level was still up"

Day 2-From Bate's Lake to Bobby's Fish Camp near Coffeeville,AL
65 miles plus one lock at the Coffeeville Dam- 9 hours

"Easter Sunrise on the Tombigbee River"

"Bank erosion caused by the high water"

"You can see how high the water had been on these trees"

"We were the only boat docked at Bobby's Fish Camp this time, but it was a good place to be when the storm came through during the night-even though the restaurant was closed"

Day 3- From Bobby's to anchorage in Bashi Creek near Morvin, Al
25 miles-3 hours (Short day in order to reach safe anchorage off the river)

"We anchored in Bashi Creek with another boat-Morning Star"

Day 4- From Bashi Creek to Demopolis Yacht Basin in Demopolis, AL.
71 miles and the Demopolis Lock- 9 hours

It looks like a Go!

After being back in Mobile for a few days, it looks like we will finally be able to move North. The bay conditions, the river levels, and the weather fronts are all lining up in our favor. We've cleaned the boat, handled a couple of maintanence items and purchased supplies. We should be all ready to go. During this visit to Mobile we toured Dauphin Island, just 20 miles to the south. As we've crossed Mobile Bay, we had only seen Dauphin Island at a distance. It sits on the west side of the Bay's entrance from the Gulf. The island's white sandy beach has many vacation homes and a few condos. Historic Fort Gaines is also on the island.

"Mowing and Landscaping is not an issue on the Island"

"Oil and Natural Gas Rigs close to shore"

"Ferry Boat takes cars and passengers to the East side of bay"

"Fort Gaines protected Mobile Bay's entrance beginning in 1821"

"We decided these condos must be for tall thin people!"