Mississippi

Posted bykurthermann 5 Comments on Mississippi

No, we’re not back on the Mississippi river, we’re in the state of Mississippi. We left Green Turtle Bay, cut over from the Cumberland to the Tennessee river and worked our way down to the state of Mississippi, leaving the Tennessee river and starting the Tenn-Tom waterway. We only have 450 of the 1,300 miles left to reach the ocean. The best part, is it’s all down hill from here.

Ever since we left the Mississippi river, we’ve been heading upstream. Depending on where we are, the contrary current is not bad — other times it’s quite strong. Always noticeable and present especially where the river bends, narrows, shallows, or as we approach a dam. Approaching the Pickwick dam, our speed was less than 5 knots.

On a positive notes, the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee rivers always had plenty of water compared to the Illinois and Mississippi.

We stopped off in Iuka MS at Aqua Harbor marina to re-supply and to get off the waterway on a weekend. It amazed me the number of bass boats running up and down the river on a weekend. Aqua Harbor has courtesy cars that we took into the big city of Corinth, MS, to hit a Walmart Superstore and a Kroger’s. As a local told us, they have all the fast food restaurants… Just not Culver’s.

I am surprised by the number of Illinoisans we’re running into down here. I understand. The lake never freezes, the marinas are open year round, the price of living is very attractive, and it’s beautiful country. Who knows, maybe the next chapter of my life will see me on Pickwick lake with a pontoon boat fishing for bass everyday. Or, a J-24 ripping it up on the lake.

We head out tomorrow to start our journey down the Tenn-Tom. More to come…

We anchored in a little bay off the lake at Fort Heiman, which is part of the National Park Services Fort Donelson National Battlefield. The reviews all say the National Park is in disrepair. Judging by the state of the shelter on shore, I’m going to agree.
We had a couple of cool mornings. Hat, Gloves, and several layers on. It had been raining so my paper guide book is in a plastic bag.
We encountered a cruise ship on the River. I saw it on AIS and it was labeled passenger ship. I was thinking a small tour boat, but no, it’s a large cruise ship.
Apparently, the cruise ship does not travel at night. Not sure the reason, but they run aground like the tows do, lift their bow up, and out comes a gangway. Genius.
This should give you some idea on how high they expect the water to be during floods. We’re at winter levels now, which is lower than summer levels.
I have no idea what variety of ducks these are, but they always clump together. At a distance, they look like a log floating down the river. It’s not until we get close that we realize it’s a flock of ducks.
A sunset at one of our anchorages. We’re safely tucked behind an island outside of the channel.
The Pickwick Lock. One of our larger locks where we’re raised 55 foot.
Sue managing the boat on our ride up the lock. I love these floating bits. It makes locking so much easier. On the St. Lawrence and Erie Canal, the lock master would drop you a line. This is much easier. Sailboats seem to have more issues locking up than powerboats. As the lock chamber fills with water, but current will catch the keel and bounce us around pretty good.

Join the Conversation

  1. Unknown's avatar
  2. gdw2001@hotmail.com's avatar
  3. kurthermann's avatar

5 Comments

  1. so much fun to read your blogs and see the photos! On another note, trying to contact your mom without success. I haven’t talked with her since we last chatted . Is all ok with her?

    Like

    Reply

  2. Beautiful pictures, love the descriptions! On a side note, how is Peggy? I’ve tried calling several times without a response. Haven’t heard from her since before her birthday.

    Like

    Reply
  3. Reply
  4. Reply

    1. Hi Pete,

      We ran into a lot of Asian Carp on the Illinois River. None jumped on deck but they certainly banged into the boat a lot. One of our buddy boats who tow their dingy found an Asian Carp in the dingy.

      While on the Mississippi, I was told they used to have them but now they’re gone. No explanation.

      None on the Ohio, Cumberland, or Tennessee that I saw.

      Kurt

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment