Columbus to Mile 277

We were up at 6am, and ready to pull out of Columbus Marina along with a couple of others. We no sooner were in the lock around the corner, and the gates were closing, when a voice came over the radio requesting a lock through. Jeepers! Where was he when we were all leaving together??
So, we all waited another 25 mins for the lone yachtsman and his dog, who had also been at the Marina with us, to get into the lock. It was important to get through this lock early, so that we avoid any tows that might be in the river. Tows have the right of way in the locks...we pleasure craft folks have to wait!

Looking back at the other boats leaving Columbus Marina. There is a bit of fog, and it is freezing cold...and damp!

This boat was the first one out of the marina channel and into the lock.

Those things floating on the river, are Hyacinths. Ahead of us is the Dam.

Those who are following. The boat at the rear is being delivered to Florida by a couple of professional captains.

Sunrise, on this foggy morning.

..and here comes the little yacht, that we were waiting for.

The gates closed and the lock went down 30+ feet, and then we all went out into the fog on the other side. We are all going down now.

We passed this house boat on the river. My favorite house boat name, so far...Alligator Hilton:)

These folks must enjoy their summers on the river...slide into the brown river, a pontoon boat and a home on the river. What more could you need?

There were some lovely homes along the way, and I love the morning light.

Waz is all rugged up....here he is plotting our next day's motoring.

A Tardis!!!...no, just a telephone booth out in the middle of nowhere! fun:)

This home needed some more landscaping...we thought we could help them out.  Pretty corner lot with lovely home!

White Pelicans! Yay! Good to see them again.

I think there is a submerged dam underneath us!

This old steamboat (US Montgomery) used to clear the 7 major southern rivers until the 1060's. She is now a museum.

Alongside the paddle steamer is this antebellum house. Soft pretty light, this morning.
We had come up to the 2nd to last lock and were asked to wait for an hour or more because of maintenance. We were allowed to tie up to the wall and wait. They called us just before lunch time and we locked through on our own.

Just one rope to keep us tied to the wall...well, looped, perhaps.

 

 The Dam on the left as we come out the bottom of the lock. You have to watch the current as it joins the main channel there.

The river is wide, here, and the light soft, and the trees pretty. It is going to be another lovely day!

More chalky clay cliffs. Note the color of the river!

We noted that the color in the trees was more vibrant in those growing on the white cliffs.

We are now coming into some ranching country, the further south we go.

The river is still winding and this makes passing tows a bit challenging. It also gets narrower.

We are followed by these two...Gene bought the little Mainship behind us, at the beginning of October. He is still getting used to it. He was grateful for all the information we passed along, having already 'done' the Gulf Crossing.

Once we anchored, Waz had to go inside to find a fault with the cord to the Depth sounder. It had quit on us, temporarily. We would need it in Mobile Bay.0

 

 

We have been motoring for long days, so we are happy to put the anchor down, and have a quiet night. We have no wifi, so it is a good time to spend time on the books documenting the Loop.