Day 202 @ Columbus Marina, Columbus, Mississippi – The Great Loop Boat Trip

10/17/19

Well, the day started out early! We got up around 6 am and Nick called the lock which was less than 1 mile away. He said we could come right over so we finished our first cup of joe and got organized to shove off. Once we got to the lock everything was quick and smooth! The lockmaster was so nice and chatty with us. We told him what we were trying to accomplish today (7 locks and 77 miles) and he was so great – he said he’d help us out and call the lockmasters at the next couple locks! Wow! This is what the sunrise on New Site, Mississippi looked like.

It will be a total of 261 foot drop if we can do it all in one day!

First Lock

Whitten Lock – 84 foot drop!

So the sun was stilling working on its best “painting” sunrise when we entered the lock and by the time he locked us through the sun had finished its morning painting in the sky and was warming up for the coming day!

The fog was heavy and concerned several tug boat captains. But not the Aquasition!

Second lock of the day.

Montgomery – 30 foot drop!

Third lock

Rankin Lock – 30 foot drop!

Now this is where many loopers finish their day. It wasn’t even 9am! But not the Aquasition!!! On ward and downward!

Fourth lock

Fulton Lock – 35 foot drop!

Easy peasy – now we are on a roll! 15 miles to the next lock!

Beautiful scenery! Came across only this one tug.

It was you me and DUPRE!

Fifth Lock

Wilkins Lock – 25 foot drop!

Then we enjoyed the swamp looking areas!

Sixth Lock

Amory – 30 foot drop!

Final – Seventh Lock

Aberdeen Lock – 27 foot drop!

By this time we caught up to several loopers that had started early in the morning back at our lock 4. They stayed near Fulton lock and did the first 3 locks the day prior. I had been communicating with them on an app called Nebo. All super nice and they were aware we were goin’ for it! Some of them commented that they expected us to catch them earlier.

The lock seemed faster than all the rest! Maybe that’s because we were all chatting it up on the radio!

It was a busy day but a fun day! Nick totally worked hard at the helm and always assisted in the lock when necessary. But I noticed these locks were quicker and calmer than many we’ve done on this trip. It was a great experience doing so many today! All the lockmasters seemed to enjoy helping us accomplish our goal! Once we found Columbus Marina we radioed in and two different guys complimented our boat! They said over the radio that they loved the look of our boat as we approached the fuel dock.

We had just enough time to get settled and take a shower when David arrived! David is Miltons good friend from his College days. He gave us a tour of Columbus. His hometown! We even got the story of Mississippi University for Women. How it started as the first public women’s college and on 1982 a man wanted to attend it.

This is the front of the back of David’s Law firm offices. The back which is kinda the front is adorable and looks like several small builds put together. Then we turned onto the main drag in the downtown area.

We also learned that many communities claim that Memorial Day was started in their area but that Columbus Mississippi was the only spot where the activity was recorded.

Columbus was also a train stop. But it was called the hospital town during the Civil War. Soldiers from Blue & Gray arrived by train car searching for aide. Many stayed in people’s homes.

Some of these homes are still standing today. David called them antebellum homes.

We then saw the civil war mass graves and the amazing tributes the Mississippians did for these soldiers.

This is the weeping angel.

David had asked his friends to join us for a happy hour cocktail!

It was great learning about this crew! Soon after we got there the crazy guys from the Hatteras docked next to us at the Marina walked in the bar. So then it got crazy!

David offered to cook for us. And if you know me at all – my answer was a polite yes but inside my head it was – hell yes!

David cooking us pork chops and dancing.

It was great hearing stories from David and Mona. Mona fought brain cancer and won! Not many can say that, she now sits confined to a wheelchair but that doesn’t stop her! She still loves her pooch (Oscar the yorkie), she gets her nails done and she loves to have the house decorated for Halloween! A very Southern woman who had her own career as a Biology teach in High School. The fabulous dinner and wonderful conversation helped us finish off a great day!

Song of the day: Mississippi Queen by Mountain