October 30-31 Columbus Marina, Columbus Mississippi

Jostled around a bit this morning after a peaceful nights sleep but finally everyone had their engines running and ready to leave.  Just Fakin It and Good Grief were rafted a short distance away, and since Jeff didn't have an operational port engine he and Good Grief left together with Good Grief acting as a tow boat with Just Fakin It tied along side.  Just Fakin It had some maneuverability problems with only a single engine and in the tight confines of this river/creek it was just prudent to be towed out.

After Field Trip and Arin-E un-rafted from us we got our anchor up and ran out of the creek with out an issue.  Although I should mention that the previous night we put out our stern anchor and over the course of the night we must have drifted back and over it since I was able to pull it up this morning from the swim platform.  Basically, it didn't serve any purpose other than soaking the line and chain in fresh water.  Oh well....

We ran the 30 miles through one lock and lovely river scenery.  Fall colors you know.  Ended up running with a boat, Easy, which is a Great Harbor 37!  They came from up river and we ended up locking through with them and ultimately staying in the same marina.

Entering Columbus marina

Got to Columbus marina around 2:30 and after navigating the rather weed chocked channel, were tied up and secure at the dock.

The owner threw a little party for us this evening with free barbecue and fixings.  Really nice! 

There are about 9 transient boats in here, all heading south on Friday which may present a problem since the marinas and anchorages are few and far between for the next hundred miles and none of them can accommodate 9 boats.  So we may be here an extra day.  

Tied up in the marina

We have a van for tomorrow at 10am so we can go shopping and stock up.  It supposed to be an interesting town but with the rain forecast for tonight and tomorrow we maybe limited in what we can see.  And tomorrow I will squeeze myself into the bilge and try to permanently re-attach a bilge outlet hose to the pump nipple.  I'm giddy with excitement at the prospect of splashing around in 3 foot high bilge compartment with a few inches of unsavory bilge water.  Oh the joys ...