Columbus to Tombigbee Ox Bow Anchorage
Our original plan this morning was to go 58 NM to an anchorage just above (before) the Tom Bevill Lock. We left the marina at 6:45 with 6 other Loopers. The Columbus/Stennis Lock was a mile from the marina. We called the lockmaster who said he could get us through at 7 am. So we lined up like kindergartners getting ready to go lunch. We coordinated our tie-up sides, half with fenders on port and half with fenders on starboard. The lock can accommodate 10 boats (with floating bollards known at pins). So half of the boats tie up on each side. This pre-plan ensures we don’t slow the entrance process.
We locked through with very little drama and drove 7 miles to the next lock. Though some boats are much faster than others, there is really not much reason to drive any faster than the slowest boat (which most of the time is us). The lock master wants pleasure craft going through together, so fast boats are usually hovering outside locks waiting on boats like us to arrive. We get to live the story of the Tortoise and the Hare.
This place caught our eye. The white spots you see on the side are deer antlers. 
Cell coverage is weak in this area, so I assume someone put this here as a convenience to boaters (ha!). 
The Tenn-Tom is calm and “current-less” 
These conifers are the last of the brilliant colors in this area 
Railway bridge that lifts 
Pretty antiquated but I think it still functions.
After the 2nd lock, it was every man for himself, since there were no more on our intended schedule. The majority of the boats were all going to the same anchorage. That was our plan, as well, but the anchorage was limited to how many boats would safely fit. So, with plenty of time to think an alternative plan through, thirty minutes before we arrived at the anchorage, I called the next lock to see if we could get through so late in the day. The lockmaster said he could accommodate us and would hold the one faster boat (from the morning fleet) before closing the gates. I called our buddy boat, the Salty Dog, who is just as slow as we are, and he was all for it. I felt bad for holding the other guy up, but that was completely out of my control. We slipped through the lock and found a perfect anchorage just below the lock. There was plenty of room for the 3 boats that locked through. This got us a good head start for tomorrow morning ahead of all the fast boats. With the additional miles and lock, our final trip distance today was 61 NM.
We are grateful for another safe passage, a warm boat, good travel buds, and for the opportunity to be on such an adventure.