Wonderful trip today, started out a little chilly with the temperature around 44 degrees, and a beautiful sunrise. As the day went on we saw temperatures rise into the mid 70's, full sun and blue sky. We locked through 3 locks today and that means we only have 3 to go until we reach sea level. Lots of tows on the river today, the A.I.S has really come in handy, as we passed no more than 4 tows and had to use it to keep our distance from the one in front of us. Our anchorage for the night is the Warsaw Cutoff, and it is simply beautiful. We had a fantastic dinner with chicken picatta and new baby potatoes, it's very nice having two star chefs on the trip. We covered a total of 60 miles today and will be back at it again tomorrow for another 60 mile trip. Tune in tomorrow, same Bat time, same Bat channel. SJS

Pulled out of Midway Marina at 10am yesterday to blue sky and sunshine, forecast was for 83 degrees and winds from the south at 20 knots. Since we were not planning on going all the way to Columbus due to high water in the Aberdeen pool, we decided to make it a 16 mile day and anchor just off the Wilkins Lock and Dam. It was the perfect anchorage, so we just sat around on the deck of the boat working on our tans and listening to 50's do-wop music, (yes I have a very eclectic taste in music). We were up early this morning and into the Wilkins lock, we did a total of 3 locks today, for a total of 7 so far. We arrived at Columbus Marina by 1pm, due to the fact that the current was running our way, at times we were running 9.5mph (now that's just plain fast for a blue water sail boat). We had no trouble getting under the railroad bridge, I cleared it easily and Dennis and Wanda by one foot, although he did tickle his antenna. Had a fantastic meal tonight at Huck's Restaurant in historic Columbus, if you ever come here, it is definitely a must stop. We leave out tomorrow morning at 7am, heading for our anchorage at the Warsaw cut off, a trip of about 60 miles. Will post tomorrow if I have internet. Tune in tomorrow when we will hear the salty old sailor say "Hey big man, let me hold a dollar." SJS

Sorry about the delay, but no internet at the anchorage last night, so lots to catch up on. We pulled out of Grand Harbor in the pouring rain and 30 knot winds after taking on fuel. What a ride getting out of the marina trying to turn a 37 ft boat in a 50 ft area in high wind, nerve racking to say the least. Coming out of the marina we turned onto the Yellow River and officially were headed south bound and headed out to sea (Green's on the right, Red's on the left). It was a short run with cold weather and rain of and on throughout the day. We even passed a tow on the "2 Whistle" (On the starboard side), it was a real squeeze tow boat on one side, rock bank on the other. Interesting thing that I learned when passing a tow is that you will actually slow down as you get in beside the tow, we went from 8.4 mph down to 6.5 mph. So on and on we went until we reached the Whitten lock and dam, we anchored in a nice little cove just to the left of the lock for the night and prepared to lock through the next morning. Thus the end of day number 4. Day 5 : Dropped through 3 locks today. Up and moving at 7am we dropped through, the James Whitten lock, The "Sonny Montgomery Lock, and The Rankin Lock. Weather was a little better still chilly but the sun did come out starting around 1pm. It was a slow crawl to Midway Marina as we were traveling with another trawler and we had to pace ourselves with him as he was going through locks with us. Midway Marina is not the best marina on the planet but it has the basics and it does have decent Wi-Fi. We pulled into the marina around 1pm then took the courtesy car to town for dinner. It looks as if we will be stuck here at Midway for at least 3 to 4 days as the water downstream at the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge is at flood stage, which makes the bridge height 42ft, that's 4ft to short for us. That's pretty much it for now but I'll keep posting each day. Tomorrow boys and girls we will learn the secrets of the Hydrological report., stay tuned.
SJS

WOW!!! What a day today 10 1/2 hours. Not because of distance but the river current, it was incredible, at times we only saw 3.5 mph. Started out at Clifton Tennessee with blue sky, sunshine and 65 degrees, by 2 hours in we were seeing wind speeds in excess of 30 knots right on the beam of the boat. Thank goodness we were in a narrow channel of the river so the water could not get to rough. Over all though the trip was very interesting seeing a lot of history, for instance we saw the house that Ulysses S. Grant (Our 18th President) stayed in while he was at Shiloh. We also saw the landing where he came ashore by boat. We covered 57 miles today in 10.5 hours, we also went up 52 feet in elevation as we went through the Pickwick Lock and Dam. What was exciting was this was our first lock through since we did our practice lock through on Lake Barkley. Coming out of the lock we were greeted with 30+ knot winds on the nose, and rolling seas, our cat (Snick) was not in the least amused, but Vanessa and I had a blast. We rolled into Grand Harbor Marina right at 5:30 pm with a huge storm system right on our heals. Thank goodness we had a calm patch as we were pulling into the marina, the harbor master was waiting at the dock to catch us, and we quickly tied up and got shore power plugged up as the first wave of the thunderstorm was hitting. As of this posting, "The Admiral" and I are safe and secure in our boat eating dinner, while the wind is howling and the rain is pouring. If the weather breaks tomorrow we might leave for Bay Springs or we might stay another night, who knows what tomorrow will bring. All I know is that it will be a fun adventure.
Tune in tomorrow for all the play by play. SJS

Not quite as long a day today only 9 hours instead of 10. Pulled out of pebble isle this morning right on schedule, my only remorse is that we are now down to 3 in our flotilla, Dennis and Terry Bopp on s/v Paradise had to hold up in pebble isle due to engine trouble. The good news is that they will be back in the race in about 2 weeks. As soon as we pulled out we of course ran into two tows one going north the other south, loving our A.I.S. We also went under our first RailRoad bridge, super cool. Weather started warmer this morning at 57 degrees, and slowly warmed over the day to 75! Not to bad, started in jackets and pants finished up in shorts. We covered 62 miles today, for a total of 135 miles in 2 days. So I did the math and we are burning 1.13 gallons per hour, more than I thought but better than a 48 foot Sea Ray. The ride was mostly uneventful, but beautiful, seeing the sun come out. Clifton marina is fantastic and a must stop. The people here are super friendly and go out of their way to make you feel at home. Had another awesome dinner with the gang. It's been a long day but a fun day. We are ready to go tomorrow at 7am. Next stop Grand Harbor marina.

What a awesome first day, thanks to Suzie, Rick, and Kenny for breakfast. We made 73 miles today and have landed at pebble isle marina for the night. Terri and Dennis on Paradise have gone into the marina for the night, Vanessa and I are anchored just outside the marina with Capt. Bill and Dennis and Wanda Race. Dinner is going to be Captain Bill's homemade spaghetti. It's really great traveling with people who have done it before, Captain Bill and Dennis make great tour guides. Lunch was super awesome, Vanessa made her spicy chili while we were underway and it sure hit the spot, since we were traveling in 53 degree weather all day. Hoping for decent weather tomorrow with no rain.