The cold front coming through our area caught up with us last night.....sometime during the middle of the night. The winds howled, the boat banged against the dock, and waves lapped up against the hull. We woke up to cloudy skies (the weatherman lied), strong northerly winds and air temp in the mid 30’s. Where are we again? Mississippi, right? Started the generator, pumped heat to the helm, put on three layers of the clothing and called the lockmaster. “C’mon, by the time you get here the lock will be ready”, he said. And so our day began.

Once lockmasters know your destination they work together trying to synchronize timing of the locks. Atlanta traffic light folks would benefit from a lesson by these guys. We passed two tows before we got to the first lock and the gates were open and waiting for us all the way to Columbus. Arrived here about 1330 hrs. Nice place with a super manager. Our dockage is behind someone from Los Catos, CA. Haven’t seen any activity on the boat. My favorite boat name today: Alligator Hilton - on a very nice, large houseboat!

Local knowledge says we can make Demopolis tomorrow - about 118 miles and three locks. With rain in the forecast we may stay in Demopolis for couple of days. After that is Bobby’s Fish Camp, then Mobile Bay.

I’m pleased with our progress, very little traffic today; however, when you’re up before dawn bedtime comes early.

Tonight the Admiral said we’re going into town, about 10 minutes away, to have dinner at Houck’s Place. Restaurant review tomorrow!