Midland not Milland! Now off to Columbus still in Mississippi

Hi F and F,  

We both slept really well last night thankfully.

Time to call the Lock master at the first of four locks today. It was only 3 miles from the Marina.We left on a misty drizzly day.

Hopefully the lock masters will be just as benevolent as yesterday. Turns out they were and we reached the first lock with the doors open and ready to go.Dont know why Skipper  Bob (our reference book for this trip ) was so specific about restricted  openings on the weekend. Not much traffic out there at all.

We think lots of the Loopers  are planning to attend the Joe Wheeler big rendezvous in October on the Tennessee River extension .we have seen very few pleasure boats since leaving Green Turtle Marina.

We have finally worked out the best lock procedure for us.

1. Always lock on the preferred side inside the lock , if possible.

2. Have one person holding the line at center side tie around the floating board and also use a boat hook nearer the bow to keep the boat away from the lock wall and the other person also uses a boat hook to keep the boat stern away from the wall.

That way you don't get the fenders all yucky with lock wall slime.Also we have Jim's ( CYC)  great fender boards as extra protection .They go over the top of the fenders So ends the lesson on locking!!!

It continued  to be very quiet on the water , very peaceful and picturesque and therefore relaxing , especially for the captain.

Lots of magnificent white herons perched on dead branches on the river side Also several grey herons flying about  as well.

We hit the last lock at 1 pm , then home stretch to Coumbus Marina . Strangely , it now became  busier and we started to see fishing boats and towboats with barges and even a couple of water skiers on the river.

We came off the river to reach the Marina at Columbus .We had to go carefully through some smaller buoys to find the entrance.Fortunately young Blade at the Marina guided our two boats through it all very well.

Lots and lots of water hyacinths were in the area, many in bloom.Gave off a sweet floral smell.

Problem is they are very invasive and a nuisance clogging up the waterways and lakes.

We arrived just in time and were settled in a nice big covered slip when the heavens opened and a big rain storm hit the area. 

After checking in, we took the courtesy car for a quick trip to see the town , surprisingly quite big and Graeme was able finally to purchase his Kefir yoghurt at Krogers supermarket.

Back for dinner on the boat and a relaxing evening.

It had been a 7and 1/2 hour trip today.The only  lock we had to wait for , at was the fourth one and that was a brief wait.Good day on the water !

Over and Out, 

E and G.