We really enjoyed Columbus. A very nice marina and wonderful restaurants in town. Hucks and Jay Brussards are must stops here.
After leaving Columbus, we only traveled about 35 miles to Pirate's Marina Cove. Quite a difference from Columbus--very rustic, but adequate. At this point we were traveling with three trawlers, Jeff and Linda aboard Jeremiah (Nokomis,Florida), Kerm and Chris aboard Southern Belle (St. Paul, MN), and John and Mary aboard Passport (Mackinaw City, MI). We walked a Mississippi/Alabama mile ( really 2 or more) to the lock to see a museum about the Tenn-Tom waterway and the snagboat Montgomery (pictured above). This boat was only retired about 30 years ago. We have seen a few "deadheads"--term used for logs sticking out of the water--in the channel. Everyone ahead radios their position, so we luckily haven't had contact. Makes you wish the snagboat was back in service!
Next night we anchored about 40 miles down river at Sumpter. The wind was blowing and the anchorage was not large, so we all rafted. To keep from swinging we put out several anchors. Here Tom and Jeff are dropping an anchor from Southern Belle which was rafted next to Raydiance. Interesting anchoring technique! The winds died down that night but the temperature also dropped to the upper 20's. I'm beginning to think the abbreviation AL is really for Alaska, not Alabama. The following morning we had frost on the windshield and on the front deck, which was VERY slippery!
Leaving early from the anchorage, we headed out in moderate fog. This is where radar is great. Later in the morning we passed the white cliffs at Epes. We had read about these so we were prepared with the camera. The cliffs go on for a few miles and are brilliant white limestone. Interesting that the opposite bank is just mud. Makes you wonder if the cliffs were one time a reef. 
Tom and I parted from the others and anchored at Rattlesnake Bend-a channel that winds off the main river. Lifestyle II and Seaquest joined us there. Helen and Busse aboard Seaquest "dinghyed" over for drinks. They are on a 36 foot sailboat and came across the Atlantic from Sweden. They have been living aboard for three and a half years. Very interesting people. Originally planned to sail around the world, but circumstances changed so they decided to do the loop once they got to the western hemisphere. And we thought this was adventurous!
We slept late on Friday and Tom made his famous four hour bacon for breakfast. Then we headed to Demopolis where we are now. This marina has added a new basin this year which it is very protected and has beautiful facilities. Would highly recommend this stop. From here on down we will be mostly anchoring as there are no more marinas. We plan to leave early tomorrow morning (Monday) and arrive in Mobile on Thursday or Friday.
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