Columbus to Marina Cove Alabama and the Tom Bevel Museum

November 7, 2001 - Columbus to Marina Cove Alabama and the Tom Bevel Museum

The river was steamy and foggy when we got up at 7:00, so we waited for a while until it lifted. We're only going 28 miles today to Marina Cove, and only have one lock, which is right away. We will do a little sight seeing this afternoon. We heard that there is a display of the relief model of the Tenn Tom. The Tom Bevell lock and museum, which is a beautiful reproduction of a southern mansion and is a shrine to Tom Bevell, who as an Alabama Congressman, was chairman of the Waterways Subcommittee, who got the money to build the Tenn Tom Waterway.

After the fog lifted, 3 boats traveling together, pulled out for the Stennis Lock and Dam, and we followed in as the lock was available and ready. Suitor To-A-T was again right in front of us. They had anchored in a cove just above the lock for the night. Tesoro had called us to say that they were headed for Marina Cove tonight and would see us there. Maybe we can have a drink together and get acquainted. While locking through, we noticed that Tesoro was flying a Michigan Flag, so it will be fun to find out their story. Suitor To-A-T says they are planning to get fuel at Marina Cove and keep going for a while. Five boats locked through together, and the lockmaster asked each of the captains for the boats documentation number, length, homeport, state and city of origin, destination for today and final destination. This is the first time we've had to tell them all that. All the other boats go a lot faster than we do, so Captain Bill asked Suitor To-A-T if he would like to run interference today, as we took the lead yesterday. He said he would be pleased to, so we are following him along this narrow curvy river. We are starting to see a little more life along the banks now, like small houses and camps. Tesoro has made this trip 11 times and has offered us a lot of good information, and we really appreciate it.

We arrived at Marina Cove early afternoon, borrowed their courtesy truck and went into town for a barbeque lunch. Then we visited the Tom Bevil museum and mansion and the U.S Snagboat Montgomery. It was all very interesting. When we got back to the boat, Tesoro had arrived and they invited us over for a drink. I was doing my walking tape, and Bert nearly had a stroke when he saw it, so Bill, Bert and Joanne went over while I finished up and showered. When I got there I found out that it really is a small world. The owners are Carl and Linda Knutson and he had been in medical school at Michigan when Bert was there, and they knew many of the same people. Therefore, there were many stories to tell. We toured their lovely 64 foot trawler, which is now their home now that they are retired. They base out of Pensacola, and go back and forth to Louisville to see kids and grandkids. They live aboard their long range trawler on which they have traveled extensively. We finally met the folks on the Suitor To-A -T and found out that they are from Kentucky Lake. They said they could help us when we start planning our Girl's of 1954 and Friends houseboat trip in 2003.