Down the Tenn- Tom Waterway (Days151-156)

 

The Tenn-Tom Waterway connects the Tennessee river at Pickwick Lake with the Tombigbee River. While we had no locks the first day, We had six on the second day and two on the third. I spent a lot of time on deck watching the bollards and fenders to ensure a good drop.

This is a floating bollard also known as a pin. When they work properly they move with the water level up and down this tall shaft.  Occasionally they get stuck which would be really bad.  That is why I need to keep a very close eye on the situation.

Before we went through the first lock My cousin Julie and her husband Owen met us on Bayspring Lake at the Marina there.  It was really wonderful to spend time with them. I hadn’t seen Julie in about 15 years.

We met up with a lot of loopers in the lock and stayed together with them for all six locks.

We progressed through the locks.

This was the last lock of the day and one of the shortest drops we had.

We made the anchorage right at sunset.

We had a beautiful peaceful night.

The next morning we waited for a barge to pass then began making our way down the Tenn-Tom.

This lock and dam also had a sentry.

This sentry didn’t really want to stay on duty.

The colors were lovely.

The White Cliffs of Epps are a natural wonder.  They are deposit of chalk in the Selma Chalk formation.

Although not as well known they are similar to and the same age as the White Cliffs of Dover.

Did I mention we enjoyed the fall colors?

Demopolis is the last stop on this section of the river.  It also has the last marina, grocery store etc. until we get down to Mobile Bay.  While we were there we were able to see them making preparations for Christmas on the River.

The best part of Demopolis was how many Loopers were there. We had a docktails with over 28 boats represented. Nineteen of those left in the morning.  We had to loaner car so we dragged this crew to the Red Barn. Unfortunately in this section of the river our port engine developed a problem.  Our port engine turbo doesn’t work.  Mike spent our two days here trouble shooting and making arrangements for repair in Gulf Shores Alabama. We will be going very slowly down the  next section of the river (7 Mph.) Because of that we will not be able to make it home for Thanksgiving.😢

Our Journey 

“For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬