Talisman 2020

 Finally we get the go ahead from the Kingfish Marina in Demopolis, AL that they have space for us that are waiting in Columbus. 5 of us decided to leave the next morning - a couple of others decided to stay and let things settle down more. We went through two locks today: John Stennes Lock (30') Tom Beville Lock ( 27') We arrived at the Sumpter Recreational Area, rafted off and enjoyed the evening - 65 miles today When we travel in a group, we go the speed of the slowest boat - in this case about 7 miles an hour. I must have asked Doug 10 times - "Are we there yet"?  Doug was enjoying the gas mileage! Bald Eagles Just in case we needed to make a call Round a corner and the topography changes The Loop can be done in all kinds of boats.

In this section of the Tenn-Tom, there is little in the way of marinas. You pretty much leave Columbus, anchor one night and get to the kickoff point of Demopolis AL. Then you anchor one or two to get to Mobile Bay. We arrived at Columbus Marina only intending on spending one night, however Hurricane ZETA changed that. With news of ZETA on its way, boaters from Mobile headed upriver to Demopolis  to escape the impending hurricane, and boaters at Demopolis never left, therefor our reservations were cancelled. The marinas keep in touch with each other and Demopolis let Columbus know there was no room for all the loopers arriving in Columbus. We ended up spending 5 nights in Columbus. A nice little small marina. We did laundry, boat cleanup etc. And we had a ball! We met so many loopers and just bonded. We met up with: Rick and Christie on "Inked Mermaid", Bob and Amy on "Knot In a Hurry" Tom and Patty on "Gemini Gypsy" Scott and Teresa on "Green Ey...

 We left our anchorage at Smithville. We passed through: Glen Wilkins Lock ( 25') Amory Lock ( 25') Aberdeen Lock ( 28') For anyone keeping track, that is our 14th, 15th and 16th lock of this trip.  The difference in locks on the Tennessee, Tenn-Tom, and the Tombigbee and what we are used to on the Illinois, is there is very little barge traffic. Usually we just call the lock and they let us in. Certainly not what we are used to. Sometimes the days are cold and wet. Sometimes they are sunny and warm We traveled 41 miles and arrived at Columbus Marina in Mississippi.

 We left Aqua Marina this morning. We went through:  Whitten Lock ( the big one at an 84' drop ) Montgomery Lock ( 33') Rankin Lock ( 31' ) Fulton Lock ( 26') Travel 74 miles today to a lovely anchorage at Smithville.

 So we are spending 3 days in Aqua Marina in Iuka, MS - this is where the three states converge - can't tell if we are in MS, AL or TN. We rented a car and went to the site of the Shiloh Battlefield.......Shiloh, TN. Where was I in History class cause I seriously did not know about Shiloh. During the Civil War, April 6-7, 1862, the bloodiest battle that only lasted 2 days and produced more than 23,000 casualties. This park was transferred to the National Park Service in 1933 - 4200 acres.  This site is spectacular. They have all the sites marked of the different battles - depending on if you were from the North or from the South. If you are a history buff, this is a must see. Inked Mermaid and Talisman State of IOWA Memorial - Spectacular State of ILLINOIS Memorial - not as spectacular Shiloh is also a national cemetery. 3500 Civil War dead - 2300 are unknown soldiers CHAMPY'S FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN W e had lunch at Champy's Famous Fried Chicken in Muscle Shoals, AL.  Doug ...

Short distance today - only 43 miles - stopped at Clifton Marina in Clifton, TN. Tiny little quaint marina with a little restaurant and patio. The BEST Hamburger I have had in a long time. Their special was wings that day. They were fantastic. The whole marina appeared to be run by two women. One cook who was obviously a really great cook and the other one, who helped us dock, took our money and also appeared to be checking in a hayrack of hay bales.....they also run an adjacent RV Park. These two had it going on! The next day we left and went through Pickwick Lock. It has a 55' drop. The first of many on this stretch to Mobile.  Going to anchor tonight in a little cove on Yellow Creek with a waterfall.....a popular place that the Loopers try to keep a secret. There is only room for a few boats. When we arrived "Inked Mermaid" was still there from the night before. We rafted off and they stayed another night. Just gorgeous! Total Miles today - 72.  We are only a couple mi...

 Left Green Turtle Bay on a rainy, foggy morning. We had the river to ourselves. After about an hour, the sun came through and we had a beautiful sunny day. I am still trying to master my micro/ convection oven. I baked cinnamon rolls this AM. Thought they would be great for a rainy morning. Completely burned the tops witout baking the middle - so I turned them over and baked them again! Doug loved them! The Tennessee River proved interesting! Three Trees just growing in the river. Looks a little like starved rock. An abandoned "Dock. When they dug for the lock and dam. Was 5 stories tall - now 2 stories underwater. Houses on stilts You  have to REALLY want to live on the river to live in this one!   One that fell down the embankment....and one that has started to fall! Sunrise at Cuba Landing the next morning - we traveled 96 miles - leaving Kentucky, entering Tennessee