Oct 10, Fulton, MS

We left Aqua Harbor Marina on an overcast morning and start down the Tennessee-Tombigbee (Tenn-Tom) Waterway. This waterway was built by the Army Corps of Engineers to link the Tennessee River to Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, at Mobile, Alabama. We start at an elevation of 414 feet above sea level and have 458 miles to go to reach the Gulf of Mexico.

Entering the Tenn-Tom.

Some narrow spots.

Natchez Trace Bridge.
This looks like it should be the official gateway to the Tenn-Tom.

We are leaving the pretty Tennessee River Valley feel like we are really heading home. Here we are just traveling through and not stopping much to see the sights. We went through three locks today and traveled 50 miles. A little current against us until the first lock and then a little current with us. Air temperature is much cooler today and skies are overcast. We are wearing bluejeans and jackets on the flybridge.

Run off from the rain last night.

A bit of fall color from the sweet gum trees.

Overcast day.

The whole waterway is a rural area so far.

The area is very rural. We do not see any homes on the shore in the first 30 miles.

Wild turkey.

White egret.

Our elevation at Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River at the start of the Tenn-Tom is 414 feet above sea level. The first lock (Whitten) drops us 84 feet. The second lock (Montgomery) drops us 30 feet and the third lock (Rankin) drops us another 30 feet. No waiting at any of the locks today.

This is another big lock. We are down 84 feet.

Big doors open for us.

Tonight we are at Midway on the Tenn-Tom Marina. The marina is an older property, but there are some covered docks, a boaters lounge and good internet. There is a restaurant nearby. Several of the boats here are decorated for Halloween. Slight drizzle all evening and really getting colder.

We pass this barge and tug on the 'one whistle' side.
We are close to the tug and barge as we turn into our marina for the night.

Approaching Midway on the Tenn-Tom Marina.

We stop early today so we can watch UF play LSU in Baton Rouge. Tim Tebow plays the whole game and Florida wins 13-3. So far so good. Go Gators!