TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 43 NM
LOCKS TODAY: 6 LOCKS
JAMIE L. WHITTEN LOCK MM 412 84’ LIFT
G.V. SONNY MONTGOMERY LOCK MM 406 30’
JOHN RANKIN LOCK MM 398 30’
FULTON LOCK MM 391 35’
GLOVER WILKINS LOCK MM 376 25’
AMORY LOCK MM 371 30’
Brrrrr, it was chilly this morning! Sure glad I’m headed south!
We pulled out of our nice little anchorage and right into the first lock of the day, the Whitten Lock. We locked down with the beautiful Summer Song. We have now entered into the second section of the Tenn-Tom, the Canal Section. This 46 mile passage is also known as the Chain of Lakes and, as you can see from the mileage chart above, we pretty much went out of one lock, traveled just a few miles then entered another. The lock masters knew we were coming and kept us moving. Thanks guys.
PRETTY SUMMER SONGThe Jamie L. Whitten Lock had a whopping lift of 84’, the fourth highest in the nation. The Sonny Montgomery and John Rankin were both named after U.S. Representatives from Mississippi, Rankin having been one of the earliest supporters of the Tenn-Tom Waterway. The lake formed by the Fulton Dam, at 1643 acres, is the largest in the Chain of Lakes. Here we caught up to two other boats, the trawler Thomas B along with a sailboat, and locked down together.
JAMIE L. WHITTEN
LOCK AND DAMJOHN RANKIN
LOCK AND DAM
About halfway between the Fulton and Wilkins locks we came upon a working dredge that we had to creep by, hugging close to the dredge. Summer Song had wandered a little closer to the banks and snagged a cable. Thankfully he had it idling out of gear and just snagged his stabilizer on their anchor cable. They had him off and running before we reached the site. You really have to communicate with those knowledgeable operators and follow their instructions to the “T”. Within 2 miles we were again slowing way down when a tow taking on fuel requested our cooperation in keeping the water smooth. He was tucked right up to the shore where a fuel truck was pumping directly into his tanks. Who’d a thunk it?
DREDGING THE CHANNELTOW TAKING FUEL
The Glover Wilkins Lock was the shortest of the day, only a 25’ lift. The last lock in this Canal Section, the Amory Lock, formed the lake that was the final construction site on the Tenn-Tom.
Image via WikipediaGROVER WILKINS LOCK AND DAM
Image via WikipediaAMORY LOCK AND DAM
We’ve began to see more and more birds. Geese were beginning to gather and scads of these cute little black guys with their contrasting white beaks. I think they are Coots. We are still seeing the heron, both the Blue and Great Whites. We were also fortunate to see a spectacular Bald Eagle soaring over the waters this afternoon. Unfortunately, I was too engrossed to have a photo to share with you. The crows were out in full force today. I think they are preparing for their role in the upcoming Halloween night.
GEESE AT THE COLORFUL SHORECUTE COOT WITH THEIR WHITE BEAKS
GREAT WHITE HERONTalk about Halloween, as we wended our way through the marked channel that would lead to our night’s destination at Aberdeen Marina, I felt like I was being let into an spooky Halloween movie set. Twisting and turning among the trees growing out of the water, crows beckoning us to enter, thankfully it was still daylight!!! We did make it in safely and tied up to find no ghouls, ghosts or goblins. Maybe another night.
EERIE ENTRANCESUNSET OVER QUEST AND GANYMEDE
BOW TO BOW
BOW TO BOW 
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