So now we’re on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway … yawn. I’ve always thought this part of The Great Loop would be forgettable, but it’s possible I misjudged or jumped to conclusions or just plain didn’t give it enough credit.
Five times longer and three and a half times more lift than the Panama Canal, the Tenn-Tom as it’s known, was the largest Army Corp of Engineers project E.V.E.R! EVER! The Tenn-Tom required moving one third more earth than it’s more famous brother, the Panama Canal. Some accomplishment!
The waterway was opened in 1985 after 12 years, $2 billion dollars and 25 million man-hours of labor went into its building. It saves users and companies over 800 miles and $130 MILLION a year in fuel between the Tennessee River and the Gulf of Mexico – vs the Mississippi River. Barges transport everything imaginable: coal, rock, chemicals, steel, iron ore, fuel and cement, to name a few. Since the Mississippi is notoriously far between services (i.e. fuel) for recreational boaters, the Tenn-Tom has proven a favorite with Loopers as well.
There are 10 locks on the Tombigbee, and the first, the Whitten Lock’s 84 feet of lift is the largest on the waterway, and the 3rd largest of any lift lock east of the Mississippi.
Along the way are quaint small towns, many Civil War era battlefields and skirmishes, the Air Force’s largest pilot training base, scores of sunbathing turtles, history and lock visitor centers, historical antebellum mansions as well as so many recreational areas, we can’t possible stop and/or anchor at all of them.
Blue Bluff Recreation Area provided the ideal dock for our own private Docktails with Optimystique, Sea Trolley and Lark in attendance.
Fall colors accent the annual fall migration, currently in full swing with Great Loopers and snowbirds making their way south along with white pelicans, other migrating species and ever colorful monarch butterflies.
Natchez Trace is close and we discovered Union Forces didn’t destroy the antebellum mansions in this part of Mississippi. Interestingly enough it seems MOST of the historic mansions are still occupied and not regularly open to the public. Waverly Mansion was one we visited … can’t you just see Scarlett waltzing down this staircase?
Did I mention the food? I’ve been wanting to try Shrimp n Grits ever since we were South Carolina Loopers … since we’re this far south in Mississippi, it seemed like a good bet. If you’re ever in Columbus, Mississippi, do not miss dinner at Huck’s.
Before you even get to Columbus, you’ll notice the Skies are Alive … with the Sounds of Freedom, to coin a Navy Blue Angels phrase… The Columbia Air Force Base Pilot Training is one busy airport … more flights land and take off here than Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
One thing the Tenn-Tom is notoriously lacking, however, is cell service. Communications are definitely a challenge as we discovered when we tried to facetime to see grandkids Halloween costumes this week. So be sure to let your family and friends know that if you disappear off the face of the earth for a few days, not to worry.
300 miles to Mobile… Cheers! Jan
