Day 9. Made it to Demopolis Alabama! We are tucked away and secure in Kingfisher Bay Marina for one month. Why? Because most marine insurance companies will not let travelling boats go further south until hurricane season is over. We are going to check with our insurer to see if we can go as far as Mobile before December 1st and what the additional insurance would cost.

So, the first leg, let's call it Jane's Birthday Cruise, was a great time. Here are a few stats:

• We traveled 464 miles on 5 bodies of water; Cumberland, Tennessee, Tenn-Tom Waterway, Tombigbee and Black Warrior
• Used approximately 514 gallons of diesel
• Locked through 9 dams
• Stayed in 6 marinas
• Spent 1 night out on the hook
• Averaged between 8 and 9 miles per hour

Next stop... Mobile Bay in late October!

 Day 8. Went about 60 miles from Columbus MS and locked through two more dams. Spent the night out in a great anchorage the Warsaw Cutoff just north of Demopolis Alabama. Cool temperatures made for a good  night's sleep without running the generator. The inverter batteries stopped at about 4 am and had to start the generator to charge everything back up. 

 Day 7. One week on the water! We went through 4  locks today and travel approximately 60 miles. We stayed in Columbus Marina in Columbus MS. Used the courtesy van to take a quick look at Columbus and discovered that it is the birthplace of Tennessee Williams. Will leave today to continue south and our first overnight stay on the hook!

 Day 6. Woke up to a peaceful and cool fall morning here in Fulton Mississippi at Midway Marina on the Tom Bigbee River.  Pumped out the heads and took on 250 gallons of diesel before leaving Aqua Yacht Harbor at 9:00. Spent the next 8 hours travelling south through the Tenn-Tom Waterway. We went through 3 locks very smoothly. The first lock, Whitten Lock, we dropped over 90 feet and the next two around 30 feet. Great dinner of shrimp and grits at the marina grill!

 Day 5. Stayed in Aqua Yacht Harbor and enjoyed the day. We used the courtesy van to go to nearby Shilo Battlefield, site of one of the bloodiest battles of the civil war. Over 23,000 soldiers died during the battle. 30 years after the war veterans from both sides worked together to create this beautiful and moving historic park. 

 Day 4. Made it to Aqua Yacht Harbor! Went through our first lock at Pickwick Dam without a problem, always exciting though. Strong currents made a slow go, about 8 mph, so a longer day. Left Clifton about 10 and arrived at 5:15. Got buzzed by a fighter jet and thought the boat had blown up on his first flyby!

 Day 3. Made 44 miles starting at 10 and arriving at 3 to Clifton City marina. Beautiful scenery the entire way with gorgeous houses perched on both banks. Soon after arriving we heard a boat call the marina in distress because of mechanical issue. He limped in on one engine so we help secure him to the dock by us. He  is a great guy traveling on a beautiful Chris Craft while working and managing his company remotely as he goes. Huh, what an idea. 

 Day 2. Made 51 miles from Paris Landing to Cuba Landing leaving at 10 and arriving at 4. Ran into a lot of debris from big rains to the south the last couple of days. Saw about a dozen military people parachuting into the Big Sandy, very cool sight. Everyone at Cuba Landing is very friendly and willing to help.

 Day 1. Pretty day of cruising in great weather. Left Lake Barkley marina around 7:15 and arrived at Green Turtle Bay around 9:45 to fill up with diesel. Made it to Paris Landing State Park marina around 3:30. Cross wind made getting in the slip interesting. Celebrated Jane's birthday with steaks! 

 Jane???

She was born sixty years ago!

Happy Birthday to Jane. 

Can't think of a better way to celebrate than launching off on a great new adventure together on "The Bles-sing!" 

Love you!