Since we're only two miles into the Tenn-Tombigbee Waterway, we're excited to begin our cruise today to see what this last waterway that leads us to the Gulf Coast will be like. First, here's a little information about this waterway. The Tenn-Tom (as it's referred to) starts at the pool level of Pickwick Lake (which is part of the Tennessee River) and begins the long downhill run to Mobile Bay. We will be locking down 341 feet over the distance of 450.4 miles to Mobile and all river currents will be with us. The Tenn-Tom Waterway is divided up into three sections. The first section we are encountering today is referred to as the "Divide Cut". As we leave Anchor Marina, the water is 414 feet above sea level.
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A First-Mate's job is never done! Especially when she has A LOT of extra line
to be "hurricane-secure"! |
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Looking behind us as we head downstream, we see the very narrow channel that the
towboat passed through when we went exploring in the dinghy the other day. |
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| Our first of only two towboats that we see today. Notice how small they are on the Tenn-Tom. |
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We are now entering the official part of the "Divide Cut". This is the beginning of the 25-mile cut.
There are no stops for the next 25 miles, and you are not permitted to anchor anywhere in this section of the waterway. |
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This is what the beginning of the "Divide Cut" looks like as we continue south.
It's a beautiful waterway! |
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| Our second tow and passing is A LOT tighter now that we're in the "Divide Cut". |
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| Good thing he was only a 2 x 2! |
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So, we just pass the tow, and curve around a bend to find this slalom waterskier!
He was weaving in and out of the very small channel as I was driving. I have to say that
I got a little nervous as there was a fisherman on my starboard and the waterskier coming at me!!!
I stayed in the middle of the channel as the waterskier continued to my port side, as Dave caught in this picture;
what a VERY brave man!!! |
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Not far from the water-skier are the first of four "baffles".
These were created to prevent creeks from "rushing in".  |
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Soon we come to mile 425.9, where we are 17.8 miles into the "Divide Cut",
and we are at the deepest part of the cut. From this point south the land drops in elevation beside us. |
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| This is the deepest cut looking from behind us. |
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| More fall leaf color; from what I hear, there is more color here than back home! |
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| Time to put it on plane! |
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As we're cruising along the "Divide Cut" still, we notice how the first level above the rocks seems to have been mowed.
It also seems that way at the second level. |
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| Then we look to the other side and Dave says it seems that someone needs to get busy! |
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Ha, ha! Not but a half-mile downstream, and we see two tractors with mowers! (Sorry for the bad photo!)
Dave thinks the workers must have taken the day off, since it is Columbus Day!😉 |
At mile 411.9, the "Divide Cut" ends and the waterway opens into the
headwaters of Bay Springs Lake.
The picture below we are looking behind the boat at Bay Springs Lake, which is at mile 419.
This is the official beginning of the second section of the Tenn-Tom. The next 52 miles are referred to as the "Canal Section". From Mile 419 to mile 366.3 the Tenn-Tom Waterway consists of dams and pools connected to form a 9-foot deep waterway along a canal. The canal follows a channel from the headwater of one pool to the dam, then locks down to the next pool and repeats the process to the sixth and final dam and lock in this section.
Since a towboat is heading into the first of three very close locks and we won't have a chance to get ahead of him, we decide to stop for the day and head to "Bay Springs Marina" in New Site, Mississippi.
The marina is right around the corner from the lock.
The marina is a mile up this back channel; simply beautiful!
So excited since we're in a marina early in the day, to get caught up on the blog, but then find out we have absolutely no service; UGGH!!! So, what to do? Game two of cribbage! Remember, I'm the black peg.😢 Oh, well, at least we're tied, now!😁
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