Great Loop Day 069 Nov 5, 2016, Bay Springs to Smithville Anchorage
Bay Springs to Smithville Anchorage
“You don't drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.”
― edwin louis cole
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Day 69 Friday, Nov 5, 2016. Bay Springs Marina to Smithville Anchorage. 39.0 miles. Lock, lock, lock, lock, wish I had some bagels to go with these locks.
Good morning from Bay Springs Marina
Mickey has the adventure today.
Just as we left the marina I allowed Mickey to climb on the foredeck in front of the mast with his harness and leash on of course. He slipped and fell into the water over the starboard side. I heard the splash and immediately slowed down from 2mph and put the outboard in neutral. Following the leash, I pulled him out of the water trying to stay clear of his sharp claws. Looked like he just come out of a washing machine. Toweled him dry or at least drip-free before he was allowed below. He grumbled like he was mad at himself for slipping. Well, the foredeck is off-limits while underway. Stayed down below the entire day. Didn’t come up till dinner time.
The water here in the Tenn- Tom Waterway looks much cleaner than the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers. But who's to say what's really in it? The pulp mills are a big industry here. Barges of wood chips travel by the dozens. And the stench is unmistakable. Noticed the smell at Pickwick Landing State Park and again at Grand Harbor. It all depends on which way the wind blows. So far today clean air in the state of Mississippi where I'm traveling through.
The drops in the lock were significant, Whitten at 84ft., Montgomery at 33ft., Rankin at 31ft, and Fulton Lock at 26ft. Tomorrow Glover Wilkins (Smithville) at 25ft. and Amory at 25ft. Then I'll be out of the canal section and in the "river" portion although there are a few more locks to traverse in there. Fair winds and gentle seas...
Whitten Lock at the start.
Whitten Lock near the bottom.
The top of the mast from the water is about 34 feet. And about 20 feet below the upper waterline on the concrete wall.
All it takes to hold on and keep the boat steady in the lock.
When the lower gates open it feels like we are entering another world. Do you think these gates would hold back King Kong?
Done and out!
The Tow I passed. It was stuck on a sandbar.
At the anchorage at Smithville next to the Wilkins Lock.
Comments from 2016:
Brian Bortz Are these enough bagels?
Henry Krzemien RN That might be just enough, Brian!
Rose Gerhart, Henry Krzemien, I think you should put this entire adventure in a book along with the photos, these are great.
Henry Krzemien RN Rose, think of this as reading my rough draft.
Rose Gerhart Henry Krzemien will do.
Jacki Liptak Glad Mickey is safe (and cleaner too)!
Kelly Carr Gangl Poor Mickey...glad you realized he had fallen in.
