Marti and Alan: Double the Fun!

Lafayette friends Marti and Alan joined us for a few days of cruising down America’s western rivers from Fulton, MS to Demopolis, AL. As much as Rick and I enjoy each other’s company and work well together, it is extra special to share the experience with friends!

The four of us share an interest in our National Parks and are on a quest to collect as many stamps as we can in our NPS “Passport” books, we spent our first (rainy) day together visiting Nachez Trace NP and two Civil War battlefields near Tupelo, MS. Rick wants to drive parts the beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway that meanders 444 miles through three states.

On the way back from Tupelo to the boat we had a great dinner at The Blue Canoe, including a black-eyed peas appetizer, the best smashburgers ever (with up to 15 toppings) and blueberry donut bread pudding for dessert! Our server Tammy was the best….welcoming, helpful and fun!

We cruised from Midway Marina in Fulton, MS to Kingfisher Bay Marina in Demopolis, MS. Rick was happy for Alan’s extra eyes in the heavy morning fog in Columbus, MS (described in an earlier post). Our travels took us through seven locks on the Tenn-Tom.

Along the way we enjoyed a beautiful anchorage at Sumter Landing. It was only our second time to “anchor out” so we were thankful to raft up to new friends Pat and Marcia’s boat, Boyle n Water. Pat and Marcia are from Cincinnati and we’ve appreciated their boating experience and getting to know them on this leg of the journey. After the anchor was set and lines were tied, Alan and Pat fished and we all relaxed, enjoyed snacks and drinks in our cockpit, and we grilled steaks for dinner. And as most evenings, it was early to bed. 9:00 p.m. is Looper Midnight!

Alan became a pro at lassoing bollards in the locks, and I was happy for the help as first mate. Marti and I enjoyed lots of long conversations, read books, napped and generally relaxed.