TENNESSEE-TOMBIGBEE WATERWAY & BLACK WARRIOR-TOMBIGBEE RIVER

With our shiny new Vessel Safety Check decal on Thistle, we departed Florence and continued to backtrack on Pickwick Lake to The Grand Harbor Marina. It was about a 50 mile journey under cloudy skies. The Grand Harbor Marina is an AGLCA sponser! They have two courtesy cars, fuel, laundry and great rates for Loopers.  We were docked for one night with about eight other Looper boats (of course we enjoyed sunset, docktails and planned our departure times for the next morning.). Weather permitting, we will all start our 450 mile trip to Mobile, Alabama, down the TENNESSEE-TOMBIGBEE WATERWAY (Tenn-Tom) and BLACK WARRIOR TOMBIGBEE RIVER.

We went to sleep with a plan to depart at daybreak. The weather report is predicting possible wind and rain...we woke up to a bright red sky? We were feeling a little apprehensive to push off the dock (Red Sky in the Morning Sailors Take Warning....). After an early morning discussion (between Loopers) we all decided it was best to push off the dock with our buddy's and start the famous Tenn-Tom Waterway :) 

The Tenn-Tom Waterway connects the Tennessee River with the Tombigbee River ending in Demopolis, Alabama. Then the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway connects Demopolis with Mobile, Alabama. The name "Tombigbee" comes from the Choctaw Indians meaning "box coffin". The river is in Choctaw lands, when they coalesced as people, to the forced Indian Removal in the 1830's. The Black Warrior River is named after Mississippi Chief Tuscaloosa, whose name ment "Black Warrior".

The Tenn-Tom Waterway is the largest Civil Works project the US Army Corp of Engineers has ever completed. Surprisingly, it is the largest earth moving project in history, requiring evacuation of nearly 310 million cubic yards of soil or the equivalent of more than 100-million dump truck loads. By comparison, the French dug 105 million cubic yards in building the Suez Canal and a total of 210 million cubic yards of earth were removed to build the Panama Canal. The Tenn-Tom is five times longer than the Panama Canal with a lift 3.5 times greater than the Panama Canal. The Waterway was built with a minimum width of 300 feet and minimum depth of 9 feet. (We found these facts very interesting and possible future Jeporady questions  :)

This Tenn-Tom idea was originally conceived by a Frenchman in the 1700's, but the first serious consideration by the Federal Goverment was in 1874. The Tenn-Tom was actually opened in 1985. After 8 studies, 22 Presidents, 55 sessions of Congress and 12 years of construction. The initial estimate was 1.7 million dollars the final cost was 2 billion.

The Waterway shortens the trip for vessels to various ports. For example it shortens the trip from Knoxville, Tennessee to Mobile, Alabama by 670 miles and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Chicago, Illinois by 400 miles. The commercial traffic on the Tenn-Tom has never reached a level that was originally envisioned. The Waterway, currently provides jobs and income for the entire region. 

The 234 mile Tenn-Tom Waterway is divided into three sections with 10 Locks:

The first is the "Divide Cut", a 39 mile cut through the river basin.

The second is the "Canal Section", a 45 mile twisting route with locks and man made lakes.

The third is the "Canal Section", a 150 mile stretch with locks and cutoffs to eliminate many server river bends.

The 217 mile Black Warrior River-Tombigbee Waterway has 2 locks.

This portion of The Great American Loop is very rural and rustic, but provided a unique opportunity to see pristine views and unexpected wildlife.We moved pretty fast with some very long days (two almost 100 mile days?). We thoroughly enjoying our six nights on this section of the Great American Loop! 

Looper Tip: This is a great section of the Loop to Buddy Boat! There seems to be Safety in numbers when Locking and Docking :)

Our new decal from the Rendezvous...Safety first and Safety last :)

Grand Harbor Marina in Iuka, Mississippi.

Our boat cleaners suggested that we visit the local town fair. 

The town is built on the site of a Chickasaw Indian village. 

Before the Civil War the town boasted an all-female college and a boys military academy. 

The Civil War brought widespread devastation on September 19, 1862. 

The battle of Iuka resulted in 1200 to 1500 killed.

We are in Alabama!

Yes, we purchased some healing clay? 

The special healing powers won first prize in the Saint Louis 1904 Worlds Fair.

Map of our 450 mile adventure down the Tenn-Tom and Black Warrior River to Mobile.

Red sky in the morning at Grand Marina. 

The day turned beautiful with a rainbow over the Tenn-Tom Waterway.

Day One on the Tenn-Tom, Divide Cut. 

All smiles :) 

Day one 55 miles and three locks to The Midway Marina.

We enjoyed a great Mexican dinner at Mi Toro. 

Thistle!

Day two to Columbus Marina, a 60 mile day with four locks. 

We really like the Catfish dinner at Hucks. 

Day three was 60 miles and two locks to beautiful Sumter Landing anchorage.

The next morning was really chilly!

Too close to call ? 

The spectacular white cliffs of Epes along the Tenn-Tom Waterway.  

Fall colors!

Day four to Demopolis, 55 miles and one lock ...

We were tired, but loved the wine dinner at Bistro (totally unplanned ?).

A very long day day five,  about 100 miles, to Bobbys Fish Camp! 

This place is a Looper must stop... very old school :) 

Bobby's menu and cook book.

The morning at Bobby's. 

Our last lock!!!! 

Let's celebrate:) 

Day six one (last) lock and another long day of travel.

We finished the evening at a nice anchorage on the Tensas River.

Watching the World Series, sunset and pasta carbonara for dinner.

(It doesn't get much better than this :) 

Lots of bird watching, houses on stilts, our first alligator sighting (red circle), random phone booth and constant dredging. 

All and all,  a very peaceful time on the Tenn-Tom Waterway and Black Warrior-Tombigbee XO 

Weather permitting...on to Mobile, Alabama  tomorrow XO