M/V Serenity: 16 November, 2019 Fulton Recreation Area to Blue Bluffs Recreation area/Aberdeen MS Free Dock

3 locks, 37 SM today elasped 503 sm; 6.3 engine hours,

Good anchorage last night--steady rocking from the wind waves--no anchor alarm sounding. Coffee early and prepared for early departure to arrive at Fulton Lock as the group of boats from yesterday were leaving the marina and we wanted to join the lock through. Just a beautiful day all in all. Chilly again this morning, slight frost on the bow. Surface water temp 51 degrees; outside 31. U/W @ 0645.

We entered the lock at 0715 and exited 0730. Smooth today--calm waters and light winds. Only a short distance to Wilkins Lock; lock was ready for us no wait. Entered 0937, exited 0956. I like this. Our next lock again only a short distance away and same four recreational vessels approached Amory Lock and were given a green light and come on in on the radio. Entered 1045 and exited 1103.

Locked up and ready to descend

Me holding stern off

We have left the canal section of the TENN-TOM and are now in the River section. We passed where the original Tombigbee enters the waterway. This is a very pretty section with lots of shallow lakes on either side with flooded timber. Beautiful eagle on the western shore. Great travel day and we approached our planned anchorage/tie up around 1300. Exiting the main channel we followed a well marked secondary channel observing 7-10’ depth and motored about 3/4 of a mile to a beautiful calm cove in the Blue Bluffs recreation area on the Aberdeen Lake of the TENN-TOM. There is a free city dock and we maneuvered and secured starboard to. Bow in 8’, stern in 4’6”. No services here, however, there are trash bins and a frost free potable water faucet about 100 yards away.

Making secure, we left Serenity and we were going to walk to town. (Aberdeen) A young couple from China, graduate students at Ms state, offered to give us a ride to dollar general. Off we went. Nice couple, a bit of language barrier but we communicated OK. They were interested in permits and permission for our travels. We mentioned we only needed our passports when we entered/exit Canada. Not surprising questions from folks from China. I wanted to say we don’t need any stinking permits--this is America---but didn’t. Wanted to ask about Hong Kong but did not. They were a gracious young couple--hope they are learning about freedom while they are here studying. We got a few things at dollar general and started the 2.5 mile walk back.

Meridian Street, Aberdeen, MS

Passed a superb hardware store--the old kind with wooden floors and stuff everywhere. Looked around and bought propane fuel. We continued through the square of Aberdeen, MS which was old-time with Christmas decorations all around, music playing too. Lots of historical restoration ongoing. Passed many large mansions restored or in the process. I passed a large pecan tree--actually did not pass it but stopped and filled my pockets with pecans. Cracked a few on the sidewalk and they are tasty.