3 More Locks to Blue Bluff, a Great Anchorage

Day 179 … Mon, Oct 16, 2017 … 37.3 miles; 6:30 hours

Midway Marina to Blue Bluff Anchorage

Sometimes boats coordinate leaving, especially when the 1st lock, Fulton, is less than 3 miles away. One group left at the crack of dawn. We were basically ready when the next group started leaving; I was walking Cally. She was quick to do her morning business so I could get back to the boat. We were off fast and in line with the other boats. The lock was open and ready, but we waited for more boats to join us. Ended up with 8 boats,making for a full lock.

Interesting, this  was a first … a guy stood on top of the dam doors after they closed behind us. He gave hand signals to the lock operator for a couple minutes, then gave the thumbs up. Glad for the that signal.

All 3 locks were open and ready for us today! WOW, that has never happened and made the days travel so much easier and not so long of a day. However, waiting for boats to catch up so we can all lock together each time did take a lot time.

By the 2nd lock, Wilkens, another boat joined our parade making for 9 boats. One sail boat rafted to a trawler (Darak) as no one wanted to go to the forward pin on either side. Lockmaster couldn't tell us the distance between the pin and the gate opening position … it looked too short for any of us. Lockmaster tried to get a delivery captain on a Selene to move up, but he refused saying there wasn’t room. he was probably right.

By the 3rd lock, Amory, we were the last power boat (only ahead of the 2 sailboats who are slower than us) and 1 of the pins wasn’t in operating condition, so we were invited to raft to Keokuk. The smaller sailboat went forward (and fit). again, a full lock!!

We tried the Canal Cutoff Anchorage first. No luck there, the water was too high. All the beaches for Cally to go to shore were under water … so we moved on to the anchorage the sailboats were going to use tonight. The other, faster, 6 boats kept moving and went thru at least one more lock, if not two.

As it turns out, really happy the first anchorage didn’t work out. Blue Bluff was fabulous. The sailboats took the two spots on the FREE town dock (they offered one to us) and we anchored right behind them. A small sandy landing beach by the dock for the dinghy and Cally to get to shore where we had an expansive grassy park for her to play off leash AND a trash can!! I like anchorages with trash cans.

There were reports of the entrance to this anchorage being too shallow and boats grounded trying to get to it. Frist, Rip believed with the last anchorage beaches being under water, we would have enough water here to get over the “hump” at the entrance AND … the sailboats went first!! All was good with a minimum of over 6’ depth. We need 4’ of water.

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY–Midway Marina

Day 178 … Sun, Oct 15, 2017 … 19.7 miles; 6:15 hours

Bay Springs to Midway Marina

3 Locks today. The first is right by the anchorage, so somewhat easier to plan for … the other two will take as long as it takes depending on how many commercial vessels have to lock before us.

The first lock, Jamie Whitten Lock & Dam, is an 84’ drop!!! We went thru with 2 sailboats that anchored near us last night.

Each lock has a stop light; do NOT enter when it is RED, even if the doors are open for you. When it turns GREEN, we can enter and tie to one of the floating pins on the wall.

There is also a wind sock, to help you know how to enter & tie up

This lock has several places where it was leaking; Rip got wet hold the boat in place

We are now on the Tennessee Tom Bigbee Waterway (AKA the Tenn-Tom); it connects the TennesseeRiver to the Tom Bigbee Waterway. The Tenn-Tom is a modern marvel … it cost more to build than the original Panama Canal and moved more earth than the original Panama Canal.

By the 2nd lock, Sonny Montgomery Lock & Dam, 3 power boats joined us; making 6 to lock thru the 2nd & 3rd locks (Rankin Lock & Dam) of the day; each a 30’ drop.

Doors open and ready for us to enter … see the waterway way, way out there past the closed front doors?

Looking out the full lock … to the waterway below us

Another lock looking out to the waterway below

Rip handling the line to hold the boat in place

Power boats entering behind us

Power boats secure along the lock wall for the ride down

and … down we go

See the doors at the top/center? that part opens and closes. the solid portion below the doors (the sill) is what boats pass over when the lock is filled and they are leaving having gone up to the next waterway level.

Lab Partners secure along the wall; waiting to go down

We waited for the 1st 2 locks to be ready for us; the 3rd lock was open and ready when we arrived!!

As soon as we came out of the 3rd lock storm clouds finally took over. The other 4 boats were going into a marina, so we called them & secured a spot for the night also.

Docking in a driving rain storm is NOT fun. Rip did a great job, though it was a bit ugly at times. This pic is seconds before the torrential downpour.

We are docked, but you can see another boat coming in the channel to the marina

That is the narrow path into the marina

About 90 minutes after arrival, the rain finally let up and Cally could get to shore

Sunset at Midway Marina

Bay Springs has a Park for Shore Dooty

Day 177 … Sat, Oct 14, 2017 … 42.6 miles; 5:15 hours

Dry Creek to Say Springs

No locks today!! it makes for a much easier time to plan departure & arrival when you do not have to wait for locks to take you through.

We had to wait for this tow to get on a straight away so we could pass him

Rip picked this anchorage because it is just 1 cove over from the 1st lock we do tomorrow AND it has a park with boat ramp, dinghy dock and trash can for us to use.

Not particularly scenic, but quiet and easy for shore dooty.

Also, easy to plan when to leave in the  am. We will call the lock and go when they say they are ready for us.