Columbus, MS - Columbus Marina

We left Midway Marina at the crack o dawn.  As you can see we were entering the first of 4 locks and the sun hadn't even come up!

Brent's really getting some good shots of me lately! 😏 Being a Texas girl I can lasso those bollards pretty well from a good distance these days.

We are now out of the lock and the sun is just starting to come up.

Lots of scenery shots to follow since the sun was at a good angle to capture hints of pretty fall foliage.

And the water was perfect!

This is a working dredge that had to move to the starboard so we could pass. He blocked 3/4 of the navigable channel and made it somewhat dangerous if had to meet another boat coming in the opposite direction at the same time.

Once we passed through the next Lock we noticed this sign painted outside the Lock along the wall. Surprised that we haven't seen this notice at every Lock!

And we're underway again.

Upon our arrival at Columbus Marina we met Steve on the kayak.  He is doing the Loop on this kayak and I thought my trip was risky.  He is on day 128!! He started in Nova Scotia. 

Brent and Steve, the kayaker (the one on the left).

We borrowed the courtesy car from the marina to go to dinner and Steve was desperate for conversation and a good hot meal.  We said if you shower you are welcome to come along and he did.  It was extremely interesting listening to his stories about his adventure. That night and the next he pitched his tent on the concrete pad below the marina office and rested for his next travel day. He tries to paddle 20 miles per day!

Steve is a former EMT in the UK. He also served in the British Navy. He is doing his Loop to support several different charities. You can check out his Facebook page at Paddling with Steve to learn more.

We went to Thai by Thai in downtown Columbus and is was delicious. The owner cooked for us! There are not too many Asian restaurants on the Loop!

We almost have a zip code in Columbus since we have been here so long.  Tonight is night #6.  The main reason is Hurricane Michael.  We are the blue dot on the map below. The cone one day earlier than this pic had the western edge very near to our next stop so we decided that since we were in a very safe place, under cover, with good power, etc. we would stay put. 

As you probably know the hurricane grew to a Cat 4 which originally they didn't even think it was going to be a hurricane.  Another good decision keeps us safe!!

The marina office, ship store, restrooms and captains lounge are located in this building. Steve pitched his tent beneath it (where there was outdoor cable TV, twinkle lights, corn hole, and electrical outlets).

View from the flybridge of Second Wave fore and aft.

That's Doug below from the vessel Doug Out. And that's Mick perched on is hand. Doug is from Chattanooga and he has taught Mick to sing Rocky Top (and many other clever phrases). Mick is an African Gray.

Since we were in the marina for several days, we walked over to the Columbus Lock. This is the first Lock we have been to with an outdoor amphitheater!

Cool little walking trails around and between the marina docks.

This is another advantage to being under cover in a marina. You can keep yourself and the boat out of the sun and RAIN.

Of course we had docktails with many other Loopers. This photo was taken at just one of the occasions. The night before we all pitched in and bought BBQ from a local restaurant and docktails lasted until Looper midnight (10pm).