Day 159 Columbus

We pulled our hook and took off on such a beautiful morning - Thomas Kincade couldn't have painted a more stunning start of our day. As we boated towards the lock, a bald eagle flew over our bow. We could hear the squawking chicks in the woods beside us. Passed water plants that bloomed a brilliant yellow flower. It looked like a gardener had planted them there.  This part of the TennTom is called "the river". It has a lot of oxbows, which are loops leaving the waterway that were the original river before they straightened it. The only lock of the day, Aberdeen Dam, was a breeze.  Made the 30 foot journey with a little critter that kept trying to find his way out. The lockmaster identified it as a beaver, but it looked like a giant rat to us. You can see him streaking across the water in the second pic and a close up in the third. The fourth photo reminded me of "the bridge to nowhere" that Brandi use to drive us by in VI. The weather and trip to the Columbus Marina were about as tranquil as it gets. Right after we docked, we looked across the basin and there were two of our favorite Loopers, Sara and John from Free Bird. So happy to hook up with them again; they've been ahead of us for a few weeks. Lots of Loopers at the marina. It's small and remote, but has excellent facilities, staff and service. Will stay here for a few days and explore the area. A museum and beautiful antebellum homes are located in nearby Columbus...and a Walmart. Time to restock. Sara is making dinner for us so we are bringing a superb bottle of wine that we've been saving for a special occasion.  The occasion? Reuniting with friends and it's a gorgeous Wednesday.