North Star on the Great Loop Journey: Columbus Mississippi

Relaxing at Indian Creek

The Divide Cut portion of the Tenn-Tom Waterway

Fellow Canadian at anchor in Bay Springs Lake

85 foot drop at Witten Lock

We are back on line at Columbus Mississippi Marina.
After leaving Aqua Yacht Harbor last Saturday we went back to explore Pickwick Lake. We were told about a picturesque anchorage near a waterfall on the south bank of the lake. The waterfall was down to a trickle since they have had a dry summer and the anchorage was crowded so we opted for Indian Creek a few miles west. (N34 54.113' and W088 10.314') It was a beautiful night and a good anchorage just off a National Park.
The next day we cruised down the first section of the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway which is the Divide Cut section. It is a man made 28 mile ditch with very little to offer in terms of scenery. In the fall it simply meanders peacefully between two berms but in the spring it can get rather nasty because of the run off. I was glad to be going through in the fall. The Divide Cut ends at Bay Spring Lake which again is a great place to anchor. We anchored at the five fingers (N34 32.998' and W088 18.216") as the locals at Aqua had told us. It was everything they promised . There were a few boats there but there are enough fingers for everyone to have a private spot. In Newfoundland this would be called a tickle. We took the dinghy out to explore and to visit with the folks who were anchored. We met a Canadian who is single handing an Endeavor catamaran called the Black Tickle. He invited us for dinner so we joined him and had a fine evening. The next day he came over for coffee and since it was Thanksgiving, we invited us for dinner at our boat. Lots of fun was had by all. We stayed an extra day but our Canadian friend carried on, we will probably meet in Demopolis.
Wednesday was a travel day down the Canal section of the waterway. Rather than follow the Tombigbee river, the Corp of Engineers dug a canal because the river was too windy and curvy. There are 6 locks in this section and we have transited them all. There were no delays but we were with a pack of 6 boats so it took a while for all to secured. It was getting late so we anchored just outside the Amory lock for the night (N34 00.869 and W088 29.033).
We left early the next day in the rain and entered the River section of the waterway. There are 4 locks in this section and we have transited one of them. So far there is very little traffic and only the odd tow. This section is very picturesque and there are numerous places to pull off and anchor. The water is very shallow outside the markers and there are lots of deadheads but there are cut offs into the original Tombigbee river and as long as you take your time and watch your depths. it is really good holding in mud. Last night we anchored at Waverley Recreation Area and took the dinghy ashore to walk around in the park. (N33 33.937' and W088 29.654')
Today we are provisioning and doing laundry at Columbus Marina. We will borrow the courtesy car later today and then off tomorrow to find more beautiful anchorages. We may not have Internet access until we reach Demopolis some time next week.