Columbus to Bay Springs

Spiritus has never been north of Columbus, MS before, but the wildlife made us feel at home.

After going through four locks, we enjoyed having "docktails" during sunset on the flybridge at Midway Marina.

The Captain's view as we head up the Tenn-Tom Waterway.

Eddy hails the Whitten Lock & Dam lockmaster for permission to proceed toward the lock.

The doors slowly start to open at the ninth highest single-lift lock in the nation.  Note the "huge" yellow truck parked to the right of the dam, giving you some perspective of the size of this monster!

It takes eight flights of stairs to walk to the top of the chamber rim from the lower approach wall.



Captain Eddy watches the doors close behind us after the First Mate has secured us to the bollard.  It will take 46 million gallons of water to lift Spiritus up 84 feet!

 We'll spend the next four nights at anchor here at Bay Springs, enjoying a peaceful pause with nature.

So, what do you enjoy while you're anchored at Bay Springs??

Swimming in crystal clear water.......

exploring numerous coves in our dinghy.......

picnicking on a secluded beach......

calling your mother (and your mother-in-law)........

  reading that book you never had time for because you were too busy working........

grilling gourmet meals........

but mostly, giving thanks for a wonderful life!



Issues & Opportunities

Our planned two-day stay in Columbus was extended three more days while we waited for the arrival of this truck!

The Captain is thrilled that the order he placed on Friday finally arrived on Tuesday.

Eddy and John say a prayer that the correct engine parts are actually in the box!

Have either of these guys EVER changed out a water pump before?  With keen minds and dirty hands we squeeze into the engine room and get the job done, in spite of our lack of expertise. 

Celebrating our "victory"!  The community of boaters cares for its own like no other.

With grateful hearts we prepare to depart Columbus Marina on Wednesday morning, August 15th.  The journey continues up the Tombigbee Waterway......next stop, Bay Springs, Mississippi.



Demopolis to Columbus

Some of you asked, "Where are you actually going?"  Hopefully, this map will answer that question.  Week 1 landed us in Demopolis, Alabama.  During week 2, we made our way up to Columbus, Mississsippi, where we are currently moored for several days.

The Confederate Memorial in Demopolis, honoring the heroes who served during the War of Northern Aggression.

The antique merry-go-round in the Demopolis town square is fun for kids of all ages.

A view of the river from the park adjacent to our Demopolis marina.

The highest chalk cliffs on the Tombigbee Waterway, the white cliffs at Epes.

After a long day of cruising, we drop anchor at Cochran Cut-off.  After sundown, with no man-made light to obscure our view, the sky is so dark we could see the Milky Way.

An early morning start up the river has its benefits.

Obviously, there's a redneck living by the river who has a sense of humor.  This old call box is literally sitting all by itself on the riverbank, surrounded only by trees.

The First Mate takes a power nap on the flybridge as her Captain remains vigilant at the helm.

Two beautiful homes along the river as we get closer to Columbus, Mississippi.

Something always needs cleaning or repairing on a boat.  Captain Eddy takes time in Columbus to ensure that our windows will continue to provide us with clear views.

The First Mate makes sure EVERYTHING looks in ship shape!

Our Columbus friends, John & Susan, helped make more fond memories by taking us to their church on "Team Spirit Sunday"!  Roll Tide, Hotty Totty, War Eagle, and To the Top!

Nothing like a "little" dessert after a good Southern-cooked meal!  John & Susan MADE us do it!

The First Mate "pays" for her indulgence by working out on the flybridge.

Lily pads in bloom in Columbus, Mississippi.

..... to all of you who are keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!

Week One

Twenty years from now you will be more dissappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the wind in your sails.

Explore.  Dream.  Discover.



Spiritus departs her home port, Bayou Grande Marina, in Pensacola soon after sunrise on August 1st.

These three pelicans got up early enough to say "bon voyage" to Spiritus!

My First Mate (the Flip Flop Queen) taking one last look at our home port.

The full moon rising over Dog River Marina in Mobile, the first night of our journey.  This will be our last night in "civilization" for the next four days.

Linda's happy feet going under the Cochran bridge in Mobile, Alabama, on the 2nd day of our journey. 

It's easy to get lost in your thoughts when you're looking at scenery like this all day long!

Spiritus enters the Coffeville Lock

The First Mate fends us off the lock wall as we ascend 34 feet.

Leaving the lock behind us after a 25 minute "elevator ride"!

Sunset at one of the three anchorages we stayed at during our four-day journey from Mobile, to Demopolis, Alabama.  We normally cruised at a little over 7 knots, and traveled 216 miles on the river during this first week.

  

Our dear friends, Jean & Jessie Carroll, greeted us at the dock when we arrived in Demopolis.  A fabulous meal, good wine, bubbly champagne, and lots of laughter were shared aboard their trawler, "Double J".  And a bucket load of wonderful memories were added to our blessed life!