Columbus Marina

Hi All,

Kris and I stayed a couple of days at the Columbus Marina and we got to visit with our youngest son, Kyle. Actually he opted to spend the night with us and then go off to his classes from the boat. This was an exceptional treat for his mother and me.

In preparation for our early morning departure, we relocated our boat to the fuel dock and since we had planned on taking on some fuel, this was the perfect thing to do. The Harbormaster suggested we do this after 4:30pm so that we wouldn't conflict with inbound transits and then we would have full use of the dock.

Just as we were arriving the fuel dock, another boat arrived from Pickwick. Their intention was to fuel up and spend the night before leaving early the next morning for a southbound trip. We both got getting settled in and refueled. I  took on 225 gallons which now gave me a total of 500 gallons of fuel onboard the "Bliss". This is enough fuel to go to Orange Beach and back, so I am comfortable with that amount.

In my conversation with the transit boat, we decided it was best to depart together so we could "lock together". We wanted to have some daylight entering into the lock, so the time decided was a 0630 departure. As you will see, the key to boating is "flexibility"!!! You travel on the "river's time" and not your own.

Shortly after 6am, I am beginning the process of powering down the external power connection and getting the lines ready to cast off. I then notice another boat leaving one of the slips in the marina and I assume they are "southbound" as well. Dang... this could cause a delay locking through if we don't follow them.

I quickly give a call to the Columbus Lock and ask about the status of getting a southbound lock? No problem he says... he has another "RV coming his way" and he would lock us through together. GREAT!! I then let the other boat on the fuel dock know we are leaving earlier than planned. Fortunately, he is ready to push off!

We quickly get to the lock and I proceed to tie up on my boat's starboard side just one "bit" or "bollard" away from the first boat having already entered the chamber.

As I was waiting on the "drop", I noticed the hailing port of the first boat. They were from Minnesota and I inquired about their home port.

Water Music in the morning mist

In the "Small World" department, the boat in front of me is owned/operated by a retired Delta Air Line's pilot. We had actually flown the same airplane category (B747-400) at the airline and even flown a couple of segments together. He and his wife decided to "live the dream" and have been on the river since mid August where their final destination is Pensacola, Florida for the winter. Their boat was named "Water Music" and is manufactured by Fathom Boats.

As I mentioned earlier, the intention was to get to Sumter Landing and spend the night on the "hook". No problem there, just a little challenge entering the cove. Since Water Music only has a draft of 3'9", he suggested he be the lead boat going into the anchorage. I was okay with that since my draft is 4'6" and if there were to be trouble he would let me know. Fortunately the least amount of water was 5'2" which left me plenty of room to slide over the bar.

We got anchored and Nayla made her trip to the shore for her "business". Then we dingy'd over to Water Music for "docktails". Kris had made a wonderful chicken/cornbread casserole with mashed potatoes, green beans and corn, so the Water Music crew came over to eat. Pretty cool!!!

Thanks for checking in on us.

Rusty