Columbus, Mississippi

November 6, 2024

A bald eagle passes a tow north of Columbus, MS

We were up early and departed before sunrise from Midway Marina. We locked through the nearby Fulton lock with seven other loopers before the sun came up. This had been negotiated over the phone, but the lock master still managed to add a one hour delay. The days have become very short and this was a long one negotiating for locks and 63 miles on our way down to Columbus Mississippi. So, despite the fact that we left Midway nearly an hour before sunrise, we arrived at our destination at Sunset. The faster boats in our group, we're already docked and ready to take a line for us.

Because if it's location and exceptional management, this marina is in great demand during the fall cruise and therefore stays are limited to just two days. With so many loopers staying at the marina the courtesy car was completely booked for 48 hours and we discovered that the marina restaurant had gone out of business. Reluctantly, we decided to skip touring Columbus, and limit our stay to a single night before continuing our journey south. Friends who toured Columbus told us that it was a nice town, and I am hopeful that at some point in the future, we will visit again, probably by car.

We were also a little troubled by the development of another hurricane in the golf, Rafael, which would bear some scrutiny to ensure that it does not affect the Gulf coast as we arrive. We continue to travel with La La 3, (Duncan & Ali), whom we met in Iuka, Mississippi.