SOUTHERN CHARM

As we begin our journey south down the Tenn-Tom Waterway we continue to learn about the history and charms that the South has to offer. The Tenn-Tom Waterway connects the Tennessee River and the Tombigbee River. Work began on this 253 mile stretch of water in 1972 with the help of President Johnson and President Nixon, but the idea had first been investigated as far back as 1810 as an attempt to link two navigable rivers for commercial transport. It cost nearly 2 billion dollars and was completed 6 months ahead of schedule. More earth was moved in this project than was moved in the construction of the Panama Canal – and we are happy to be traveling this narrow and windy part of American history.

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Along the way we’ve seen some pretty neat little towns and rural areas. Sometimes we cruise alone and anchor out by ourselves, other times we need to move as a group in order to clear as many locks as possible (since there are 12 locks). There are fewer and fewer marinas as we head further south down this channel and often there is nothing to look at except the stone walls created to prevent erosion…oh, and dead heads, stump fields, floating trees etc.

Currently we are happily holed up in Columbus Marina, bypassing a cute anchorage in order to outrun Tropical Storm Olga. Knowing there were flood warnings and days of a rainy deluge ahead, we traveled with 13 other vessels from sun-up to sun-down on Thursday and tucked in just in time for a beautiful sunset. The rain hasn’t let up and the waters are rising. A great time to clean, organize, catch up and provision!

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