Day 32 - Salad — Captain Father John

Miles cruised 37 fuel purchased 68 gallons, fuel cost $185, slip fee $45 plus $5 for electricity, daily high temperature 83*F

We transited two locks, the Amory Lock MM 371. 7 and Aberdeen Lock MM 357.5, with our fellow Loopers. Then we split from the herd and headed to Columbus Marina MM 335 at 28 mph to blow the carbon out of the engines. The herd will certainly arrive in time for docktails.

We arrived at the Columbus Marina a few hours ahead of the herd. We fueled up and pumped out. There are so many water hyacinth in our slip they should include a lawn mower with each slip rental. The locals call the water hyacinth salad. So we cruised through the salad to get to the Marina and into our slip. We are in Columbus, Mississippi. We took the marina loaner car to Walmart. I had not seen any Walmartians in over a month. We bought some food items because we will be at anchor tomorrow night in the Ox Bow at MM 265. Then we will go to the Demopolis Yacht Basin at MM 216 for two days. We also bought a 12 pack of IPA to give to Tom (our savior) as a token of appreciation for helping us fix our generator.

Some nice greenery in our slip at the Columbus Marina

We are on a separate dock from the herd. We should have asked the Marina where they planned to put everyone. They will stay for two days and we are on our way. They picked up a new herd member – a trawler named Red Dolphin. That boat is a better fit for their speed.

There is a derelict boat across from us named Summer Salt II. It looks like it has been abandoned for 10 years or more. However, the VHF radio is on very loud. It picks up all the barge traffic chatter. Go figure.

Ghost radio on Summer Salt II

Bollard Boy – in each lock the floating bollard is our friend. When we transit a lock we tie up to a floating bollard. As the water in the lock rises or lowers the bollard rises and lowers with the water level. Each boat selects a bollard to tie up on. The Army Corps of Engineers operates all the locks we have transited. They require everyone on deck to wear a life jacket. That is a good rule because there is a lot of turbulence in the locks as the water rushes in and out. On Changing Latitudes we take turns driving into the lock and managing the bollard. As bollard boy your job is to place a center spring line around the bollard. It is suggested that you only tie one end of the line and hold the other end. The reason for that is if the bollard is stuck it will rip off your deck cleat or tip the boat over as the water in the lock rises or falls. It is also recommended that the bollard boy have a sharp knife handy in case he has to cut the line if the bollard is stuck and he cannot release the line. We have not had any issues with the bollards we have used so far.

A typical conversation with a lock master follows:

Markland Lock, Markland Lock, this is the pleasure craft Changing Latitudes .
LOCKMASTER: Markland Lock back to the boat calling.

This is the pleasure craft Changing Latitudes and we are at Ohio River Mile Marker 5-3-3 about 2 miles from the lock; we are up bound and would like to lock through.

LOCKMASTER: Changing Latitudes approach the land side chamber and enter when you have a green light.

When the boats are secured to bollards the lock master closes the lock door. When he is ready to fill or drop the lock he signals with a siren. When the lock has completed its transit the lock master opens the doors at the other end. He sounds a blast on a loud horn to advise it is safe to depart. It is customary to make a quick call on the VHF to thank the lock master for his hospitality. The lock master will often respond with a wish for a continued safe journey.

This is a floating bollard.

This is bollard boy.

This section of the Tom Bigbee Canal is relatively straight. Any place the river meandered the canal builders dug a straight section. This eliminates lots of twists and tuns and saves many miles of cruising.

The herd went to Harvey’s restaurant at 5:00 pm so they could use the loaner car. We had reserved it for 7:00 pm. Harvey’s is a local favorite. We had our choice of national chain restaurants such as Longhorn Steakhouse, Chili’s and Buffalo Wild Wings but opted for Harvey’s. It was the right choice with great food and great service. Dale ordered the rueben sandwich and said it was a winner. I had the prime rub sandwich which was also excellent. Harvey’s has the distinction of being awarded the distinction of serving “the best appetizer in Mississippi”for 2014. It is is deep fried broccoli balls with bacon. Everything is better with bacon.

That’s some good eatin’.

Carl (Chef) Wooden – quote of the day – Only fools and passengers drink at sea.”

-Allan Villiers