November 1st

November 1st, 2013

Up at 0530 to a nice quiet morning.  

Pre-trip inspection did not require any fluids so after filling up the fresh water tank we were off.  We were in the channel at 7AM – right on time.  We have four locks to go through before we get to Smithsville for the night.

Ran into fog after entering the cut.  It got pretty thick at times.  I went to blow the boat horn and it was too cold so Trick grabbed the canister horn so I could do proper procedures.  

I called out my position every mile and it went fine.  

After about ten miles the sun burned the fog off and I noticed “Green Wave” up ahead going downstream.  

We come across Green Wave every trip on the TennTom

Leaving Green Wave in our wake.

We caught Green Wave around 9:15 and passed by without a problem.  It looks like three of the boats that were in Grand Harbor are behind us:  Pieces is running 10 knots and Sundrum and Downtime are running 9 knots so they will catch us before we get to the first lock of the day; Jamie Whitten.  We all entered the lock around 11:30. 

Pisces

Sun Drum

Downtime

Sailing vessel “Seahorse” was already in the lock waiting for us (we had seen them two days before).  

Seahorse

The lock started down at 11:45 and we were out by noon.

We arrived at Montgomery Lock at 12:40, were going down at 12:55 and out at 1:15.  

We all arrived at John Rankin lockt at 2PM but were held up as there was a boat in the chamber coming up that was being towed by a small speed boat.  The lock master took a little extra care and lifted them gently so it took more time than usual. 

Then the two boats struggled a little getting out but eventually we all entered at 2:30. 

We met two tow boats between Rankin and Fulton locks;  T H Kelly and Janice Tyson.  

On the one Whistle

On the two whistle

We arrived at Fulton at 4:00 and slipped right through. 

Pisces decided to go ahead of the group after Fulton so he properly asked to pass and took off.  Sun Drum decided to pass me too (without any communication) so we settled in for the last hour and a half.  Sure is pretty that time of the evening with the sun going down.

We all got tied up at Smithsville making Scott the owner happy with the income.  The owner of Active Captain is anchored just out from the marina and we expect to go downstream with him in the morning.

Trick and I ran to Amory for some stop leak for the gen set, had dinner, worked on the blog and hit the sack.  Four more locks tomorrow….another day on the water….Superb!!