Tenn-Tom Trip Ends - June 15, 2011

I woke at 5:15 this morning and the thermometer read 74 degrees - about 10 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. Since we didn't have a real schedule for today, I went back to sleep for another hour or so. Then, after cleaning up the boat and taking Daisy for her morning walk, we hopped in the truck and drove to McDonalds for a biscuit. Then we untied the boat and idled out of the Marina on the backwater, taking a path parallel to the main channel of the Tenn-Tom for several miles. I think the section we were on was probably part of the old "original" path of the Tombigbee River, before the Corps of Engineers straighted it out in the 1980's. Anyway, it was a pretty morning ride upstream that eventually joined back with the main channel. We continued upstream for another few miles, passing several fishing boats using "noodles" or gallon jugs to float fish.  

Columbus Marina as seen exiting the Stennis Lock. The first building is Woody's restaurant, which has been closed for some time. The marina office and slips are behind the restaurant.



Grain loading facility near Waverly Marina.




The grain silo facility next to Waverly Marina was busy loading a barge and a couple of Corps of Engineers boats were moving downstream, apparently tied together. Their large outboards were kicked up, and they were being pushed along by smaller Yamaha outboards which were mounted alongside the bigger engine. Glenda and I wondered what they were doing. We got our answer when they pulled into Columbus Marina as we were topping off the fuel tank on the Knot-So-Fast. I commented to one of the drivers on the little Yamaha 6 hp outboards pushing the boats. He told me they had just gotten the smaller outboards, for use as auxiliary power, and were in the process of breaking them in.

Breaking in their new Yamaha 6 hp auxiliary outboards.

Our total mileage for the last 3 days was 86.9, and filling the tank took 6.77 gallons for an average of 12.83 mpg!

The little tug boat continues perform well. I still need to move the batteries and fuel tank forward to get some weight off the stern, and there are places on each side of the deck that catch and hold rainwater that I need to address, but overall she is a great little boat. The Glen-L company designed her well.

The little Yamaha 9.9 HP outboard still hasn't missed a beat, either. I still get strange looks from people when they see it and ask "Is that the ONLY motor you got on that thang?????" I know they don't believe me when I tell them that it pushes the boat just fine. We currently have about 1300 miles on the boat, and are looking forward to our next trip.

 This little guy crossed the river in front of us this morning.

Glenda Says:
We were successful!  Even old people can have fun.  Of course I missed the grand kids, but truthfully anytime I am enjoying myself I wish I could share it with the people I love.  I know this kind of travel is not for everybody but to me the joy of it outweighs the inconveniences.  We slept in this morning, we were both moving a little slow.  But I perked right up after my morning coffee.  I enjoyed the morning ride.  This morning I got a photo opt with a water snake headed quickly across the river.  He was not happy when we intercepted him attempting to get a better picture.  The Columbus Marina was nice and clean.  It was pleasant to have the truck and not have to hike over to the showers.  We met a couple of nice people who are living on their boats.  I'm not sure I'm ready for that.  It was also very dog friendly.  Unfortunately most of the "neighbor" dogs were exuberant labs.  They were very friendly but their idea of fun was attempting to bat Daisy around.  She did not care much for that.  The heat is still the most difficult thing to deal with, but being a school teacher, summer is the only time I have to spend much time on the boat.  We'll just have to deal with it.  Hope you enjoy our blog!