Bay Springs Marina to Smithville Marina

We joined our newly found friends aboard the "twin" Nordic Tugs who we met at Bay Springs Marina - we had collectively chosen an early start, and were on the water by 7:30 am. Our initial plan last night was to have a leisurely day, travel through 3 locks and a total of about 18 miles. However, after some discussion and a better look at the weather forecast, we decided to transit 4 locks and travel about 35 miles. This sets us up to make a run to Columbus, MS in the morning. This will put us in Columbus 2 days or so earlier than we had planned, but in advance of some heavy rain headed our way. So, we'll likely camp out in Columbus for a few days...there will be more to keep us busy there than other choices we have available. And the marina is supposed to be a good one.




 

A gray day awaits...the Nordic tugs take the lead.
  

Pearl

Melinda B

 
The first lock was Whitten Lock, less than a mile away, and one of the 9 largest locks in the US in terms of elevation change - we dropped 84' in this one today. And for the day, we dropped a total of 174'.

Look how small a 40' boat looks in this lock...yikes!

It was gray all day long, with only a smattering of rain here and there. We wish it were sunny, because some of the scenery would have been beautiful in the sunlight.

A pine mulch plant by the river...we later passed a mulch laden barge. Boy, did it smell wonderful!

The Rosinton

The H B Stewart - see the steam rising off the mulch?

 

 

We arrived at Smithville at about 2:30, a really productive day having cleared 4 locks. In total, we only waited about 25 minutes and the rest was smooth as silk. Smithville Marina is tiny, but very enjoyable. The marina and surrounding property has been in this family for 180 years, plus another 170 or so acres that they had to sell to the US Government when the dam was built and the lake created. There is only room here for maybe 4 boats our size, but it has all that we need. Most of the other boats here are smaller and much older...but we love places like this...it's wonderful!

 



 We'll be gathering with the folks from the other Tugs later for some light dinner, and then likely early to bed. We anticipate another busy day tomorrow, and probably some rain.

All for now...