Log of the ELISSA II: Grand Harbor to Columbus MS

10/27: Off the anchor at 0725 and on way all of 1.5 miles to first lock in series of six that we will do today. Cold, grey, NNW winds at 15. Whitten Lock is tallest on Waterway (drops us down 84 feet) and a good intro to life on the Tenn-Tom. Traveled in company with Northern Spirit. Concept was to “see how far we get & then find anchorage”. Was a good plan, but it “morphed” as the passage thru the locks (some only 4 – 6 miles apart, was far smoother than expected. We decided to make a stop at the Jamie L. Whitten History Center as we expected a history of the area and the Waterway construction project. The Center was accessible via a LONG dock that carried safe (8+ feet) all the way in. Poor decision as it turns out: First, was a most disappointing “History” Center. Rather, was a series of exhibits tooting the horns of various Fed agencies (Interior, Agriculture, Corps of Engineers, Forest Service, Park Service AND the various politicians who secured funds. Second, in departing, we scraped dinghy on a metal edge protruding from dock, slicing a 4” hole in it. Thus, no more anchoring out as we no longer have means to dinghy dogs to “potty”. So, plan changes, now we are seeking a Marina. Ended up in the Aberdeen MS Marina. It is off the Waterway about a mile on a narrow twisty (but well marked) bayou. Neat place. Arrived at 1810 following a run of 57 miles. Bonnie says…Watching the Dinghy hit that piece of metal and slowly deflate was viewed with almost as much disbelief as when I watched the Elissa Anne get demasted in 2006! A soft whoosh! As Bill wrote, finding our way through the narrow channel to the Aberdeen Marina was attention focused. Once in the channel and recognizing the markers it was really easy...and rather scenic as we cruised by submerged logs, Cyprus and their roots peeking above the water and beautiful patches of brilliantly yellow flowers. The Marina was a part of a “Quick Stop” gas station, fast homemade food and mini grocery store. Must be a “wet” county as there was a very busy liquor store across the parking lot! Upon the manager’s recommendation for the best ever catfish, we borrowed the courtesy car and headed for the Friendship House. Thinking it was in the town of Aberdeen we were mildly surprised to find ourselves out in the country for 15 miles! Once at our destination, still wondered if we were in the right place as facing us was a large windowless aluminum building. Once inside this +35 y/o Family establishment it was obvious it was a local favorite. Again it was one of our river opportunities to sample good local food (Southern=fried vs New England=boiled) and meet the very friendly locals.

Refrubished Shrimp Boat-with piano aboard!

Canoeist in lock

Hello Farley-Northern Spirit

Channel to Aberdeen

Nicole waiting for us at Aberdeen

10/28-31: A lazy start from the Aberdeen Marina as we waited for the “greatest biscuits & gravy on the Loop” (and they were, along with eggs, sausage etc). Finally off at 1045 and wending our way thru the winding bayou exit. Was cold (low forties, sunny, winds N at 20+). Four hours, two locks and 23 miles later we arrived at the Elissa II’s winter home at the Columbus MS Marina. This marked the end of the Second Leg of our voyage. LegThree (Columbus MS to Hampton VA) will resume in March, 2013. Bonnie says…Today was spent passing all the TomBigbee oxbows-----this is a very very curvy river, think continual S curves. The waterway cuts a channel straight through them; so what looks like lots of creeks entering the waterway are really the curvy river providing anchorage spots off the main channel. Arrived at Columbus Marina to find Northern Spirit, Loopy Kiwi (New Zealand), Mayalisa II, Sundancer with Jade (Brazil), Last Resort (Canada) arriving the next day. Spent our time for 2 days prepping the boat for winter, inventorying everything as once off the boat, I have a flaky memory of what’s there! One evening we went into Columbus for dinner with Ron and Lynne for a delicious fish (not fried) dinner. Oct 30 we rented a van to load all our “not stay on the boat” stuff and the girls and headed north to Kentucky Lake where we had left the Avalanche. Spent the night in Corinth, MS in the only pet friendly hotel, a Comfort Suites. Reviews were ho-hum and it was definitely not fancy but clean linens, rugs, bath, etc. so fit our needs. Realized after docking at so many Marinas with shared facilities, our standards haven’t slipped but as long as it provided the above amenities, we were OK, and a bit richer! Arrived home Oct 31, greeted by leafless trees and mountains of leaves in driveway and anywhere else you would look. As Bill says, “if leaves were a cash crop, we’d be rich!” See you again in March 2013!

Big Tow, narrow River