11/12/20 – Bay Springs Marina to Midway Marina

Day 62

Engines running well again, on Thursday morning, 11/12/20, we rose early to gas up and pump-out at Bay Springs Marina to head for the first lock on the TennTom, the Whitten Lock. Steve called the lock master for lock traffic status and was told a commercial tow and barges were about to lock up, so we’d have at least a 2-hour wait before we could lock down. So, we motored Legacy back over to our original spot and tied back up for the wait. Oh, no – more reading and talking to each other! Finally, at 11:11 am we were locking through the Whitten Lock – the first of 12 on the TennTom.

Locking through the Whitten Lock. We had some company in this lock.

In addition to the Whitten Lock, we also traversed the Montgomery and Rankin Locks on the TennTom, along with two other boats, Miss Conduct and Safe Haven. Three locks in one day was a challenge for Gilligan!

It was a glorious weather day, which was welcome after the wind and rain we’d experienced at Bay Springs the days before. The water was still and glassy, which makes for very enjoyable cruising.

Fall foliage was still putting on a show down the TennTom.
We noticed the riverside growth was beginning to change the further south we cruised.
After coming through the Whitten Lock together, Miss Conduct and Safe Haven trailed us the rest of the day on the TennTom, through three locks, total.
Also becoming more prevalent along the TennTom are industrial sights.
Much to my delight, we began to see Spanish moss hanging from the trees on the banks. (A definite sign we were nearing the coastal south!)
We passed many of these bank-side erosion control installations that seem to be unique to the TennTom. (So far, anyway.)

After absolutely no engine problems (along with hourly engine room checks performed by Steve), we arrived at Midway Marina, in Fulton, MS. The transient dock was located right next to several obvious live-aboard houseboats. One of those boats had many potted plants and vegetables on its decks, along with a GIANT wall-mounted, flat-screen TV visible through the salon windows. The other boat was located right across the dock finger from us and appeared to house Nana and her talkative 3-year-old granddaughter, along with three barking Chihuahuas. We enjoyed a nice dinner at the highly-touted Guy’s On The Water, the marina restaurant at Midway.

Legacy tied-up at the transient dock at Midway Marina in Fulton, MS.
Lovely sunset from our boat at Midway Marina.

Position: N 34° 17.867, W 88° 25.222

Distance traveled:  16.6 NM

Total distance traveled: 1046.4 NM

Total marina nights: 51

Total nights at anchor: 11

Locks today: 3

Locks Total:  18