October 18, 2009

Port Departed: Pickwick Anchorage
Port Arrived: Bay Springs
Miles traveled: 38 miles
Total miles traveled to date: 588

Woke up at about 6:30AM. It was still dark outside. Made coffee and had breakfast of Raisin Bran and banana. Once the sun began to rise, I noticed fog. It was thick fog and made visibility very difficult. After scouting the area the previous day, I was very familiar with the area. The fog did not detour me. So I hoisted the anchors at 8:00 AM. Was anxious to meet up with my life long friend Phil. And headed for the Pickwick Lock. The lock operator said that they were ready for me and seeing the door open in the fog were like giant arms opening to let me continue my trip and meet with Phil on schedule.

The Pickwick Lock lifted us 54 feet into Pickwick Lake. A beautiful resort area. Was also excited to make the turn onto the Tenn-Tom. Found the yellow marker buoy and made the turn out of the lake into a new river system and was not heading with the current.

Meet up with Phil about 4PM as planned at the Bay Springs Marina. Fueled the tanks, and tied up in the sun. Met a very interesting guy who was a retired Eastern pilot who had retired and had lived on his boat for the last 5 years. I asked him if his wife was still with him. He said, yes. In fact she works at the Marina.

Later that evening Phil and I were playing music on the dock. Phil on harmonica and me on guitar. Chuck joined us. It turned out he had never heard of Sailor Jerry Rum and had to try it. He ended up drinking most of the bottle with his wife Pip. We played all of the standard songs. They when it was time to quit and get some sleep, Chuck said, I love you guys you can’t stop. So for the next hour or so we made up songs and acted smart.