Mike and Brenda on "Velsignet"

After the heavy rains a couple of nights ago, we’ve been keeping a keen eye on the river water to avoid logs and other floating debris that have resulted from the flooding.   We were told that the river down from the Coffeeville Lock had risen 9 feet after the storm!   The frequency of dodging “drift” is just enough to keep us on our toes.   We’ve also been told that as river levels recede, the trash and debris will worsen.     And so we cruise southward with caution and “Good Karma.” “Good Karma”—with captains Kermit and Katherine—and “Velsignet” have been traveling together since Bobby’s Fish Camp.   Kermit and Katherine completed the loop a few years ago, decided they like the boat life, and are taking their 1983 live-aboard trawler from their home state of Ohio to Florida.   Last evening at our anchorage on the Tenshaw River, they introduced us to the concept of “rafting.” Rafting is when the larger boat (“Good Karma” is a Hattaras 53’ ya...

"Lock master, Velsignet is secure."  Our boat is tied to the wall of the Coffeeville Lock, ready to be lowered and released to continue our way down the Tombigbee River towards Mobile, Alabama.  Once secure, we expect a confirming "Roger, Captain" from the lock master.  Today, however, the lock master gave us an alarming response:  "Captain, it's not too late to turn around." It's 216 miles from Demopolis to Mobile, 3 full days of cruising in pretty isolated territory. We traveled 70 miles yesterday between the hours of 7 am and 3 pm.  Two more long days to Mobile and then another day of cruising to Orange Beach where we'll celebrate New Year's with Mike's parents.  Our intent is to move as many miles as we can in this long isolated stretch of water during the daylight hours and anchor out each night. Today, Thursday, December 27th, is not going according to our plans.  Our 5:30 am alarm didn't go off so we woke up at 6:30 am, t...

So it’s December 23 rd and we’re at the Demopolis Walmart looking at their limited supply of wines.  We’re discussing the “possibilities” for purchase when another shopper interjects with her thoughts about the wine selections.   A conversation ensues (which lasts a good 15 minutes or more), we  hear about her recent trip to California’s Sonoma and Napa areas (her enthusiasm is contagious), and we learn more about Demopolis (she grew up here, and it’s “much more than Walmart!”).  Twenty-four hours later, our new friend, Billie, has invited us to a Christmas Eve party!   YES!! Stopping in Demopolis for a Christmas break, Harbormaster Anna-Marie greeted us at Slip B13.   Our Christmas Eve Day included  “facetime” with Allison, Brent, Iris and Rose as they relaxed in their Arvada, CO home, happy hour with David and Molly (M/V “Teva”, locals) and Van (MV "CCGG"), and by 7:00 pm Billie and her husband, Chuck, arrived to whisk us awa...

At 6 am and 29 degrees with frost covering the boat, we quickly dressed and began going through the checklist to get underway shortly after sunrise.   Sixty miles/8 mph + short daylight hours=get going!   As the sun appeared over the calmness, the beauty was such that we were reminded that this was a CAROL morning!   Mike’s sister, Carol Lehman, likes to enjoy her cup of coffee in the serenity and quiet of the early morning.   Carol’s appreciation for this gift nature provides her inspires us to be grateful for these mornings as well.   By 10 am Velsignet had passed through the Heflin Lock near Gainesville, AL, our only lock for the day.   The skies bathed us in sunshine all day long.   The flying bridge was a comfortable hangout.   The scenery along the Tenn-Tom seemed beautiful compared to the drab and dreariness of the past cloudiness.   (Thinking now, has it been drab and dreary?   I’ve forgotten!) Cruising down from the He...

Today is the first day of winter and while we’re not in freezing weather or snow, the wind and clouds and general dreariness certainly reflects the season.   Brightening our day are the Christmas cards, photos and letters received from friends and family which we received yesterday when we picked up our mail at the Columbus Marina.   Do the senders understand how treasured are their merry wishes to us this Christmas season, so different than any other we’ve experienced?   As the two of us cruise down the secluded Tenn-Tom Waterway, it is a comfort to know we are part of a larger community that spans beyond these riverbanks.   Last night we anchored in a cove off the Tenn-Tom, just south of Columbus, Mississippi.   We’d planned to anchor where we could get off the boat and walk around the historic downtown Columbus, but as we got into the canal towards the anchorage, a large barge was stationed such that we felt we could not maneuver around it.   And s...

It was just getting light when we got up this morning.   The generator was turned off during the night, so getting it running and the heating system on to warm up the boat was first on our minds.   As coffee was being started, Mike called the Witten Lockmaster to give him a heads up that Velsignet would be passing through.  The Lockmaster informed us that a barge was coming upriver; if we hurried, he’d let us through before the barge (a barge can mean up to a 4-hour wait).  HYPER-MODE!  Quickly, we went through the checklist, started the engine, and pulled the anchors; somewhere in between processes we managed to get dressed! We’re back on the Tenn-Tom Waterway, this time cruising south.   Contrast to the lush greenery that surrounded us traveling north, the waterway is now lined with leafless trees.   The scenery is drab except for the blue skies, the white seagulls, and reflections in the water.   Winter has set in. The Tenness...