Leg III ~ Part 2 ??

Well, we certainly hit the ground running, as we fully expected. Home since early Thursday morning, we haven't stopped! The time we spent with my mom on Ithaka was great. We traveled from Rogersville Alabama to Columbus Mississippi. Once settled in Columbus we rented a car and took the opportunity to see a few sites. Aberdeen is a quaint little town situated right along the Tenn-Tom Waterway. It's actually where we had planned to stop prior to losing a day to weather, so we decided to drive back up the river to check it out. We stumbled upon a sweet Catholic Church, St. Francis. Of course, mom was thrilled and we never expected it to be unlocked, but it was! We went inside to say some prayers and light a candle. In speaking with the lady who runs the Catholic mission in Aberdeen, that the Catholic population in Mississippi is about 2%. She was also very happy that we took the time to visit their church so she gave us a tour of the hall and rectory. She celebrates the mass there most Sundays because the priest who services the area travels to several small Catholic churches and usually is only there in Aberdeen about once each month. She also told us that they have no young families and no children in their parish family.

We also went to Columbus Mississippi where we were greeted by a very informed volunteer at the welcome center which is housed in the home where Tennessee Williams was born. The main street corners throughout Columbus are beautifully decorated by members of their garden club. Both Aberdeen and Columbus boast well preserved period homes, some of which are Antebellum. We visited the cemetery in both communities, but what really fascinated us about the one in Columbus is the story about the very first Memorial Day. Originally called Decorations Day, it was after the civil war that the wives of both the Union and Confederate soldiers joined together to decorate their husbands graves. This was a true act of unity and friendship, hence the cemetery is called Friendship Cemetery.

Also worth mentioning is the fabulous dinner that we enjoyed in Columbus at a restaurant called J. Broussard's...we highly recommend this one and put it right up on the top of the list of the best 5 restaurants where we've eaten along the loop!

We went to Waverly Plantation (click on photo inset) in West Point Mississippi and hope everyone visiting this area would take the time to find this hidden gem. Built in 1852, it was left vacant for 50 years after the remaining family of Col. Young, who built the home for his wife and 10 children moved out. Then in 1962, the present owner purchased the house from 12 of Col. Young's great grandchildren. He and his wife raised their 4 children there. Today Mr. Snow lives in the home which is filled with wonderful treasures. His wife passed away in 1991. He opens his doors and allows the dozen or so visitors a day to touch a part of the past.

Back home in Naples now and already counting the days till we get back on board Ithaka for the 4th and last leg of this amazing adventure (Chip likes to call it Leg III part 2)...till then remember, "It is not about the destination...it is all about the journey." --We hope you are enjoying yours.

**To view additional pictures of Aberdeen and Columbus please check out our YOUTUBE videos!

Cruising with Fern

Today is a bittersweet day...we're a little bit sad because it is our last cruising day of Leg III of the "Discovering Ithaka" adventure. We are currently docked at Columbus Marina, mile 335 on the Tenn-Tom Waterway. Leaving Ithaka behind one last time while we head back to Naples....don't worry Ithaka, next time you're bringing us all the way home! ~And, it's a happy time, too, because I am counting the minutes to when I get to wrap my arms around my Marvelous Munchkins! I miss my grandbabies most of all...plus all my loved ones of course! But, I cannot forget to mention missing long hot showers (long being the operative word), a king size bed and my waterpik!

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After losing a day to bad weather on Friday, we stepped it up today and continued onto Columbus rather than stopping at Aberdeen as previously planned. The next couple of days will be spent organizing, packing, doing a bit of site seeing and trying to eat what's left in the fridge. Last night we had fun at the Halloween Party hosted by the owners of Midway Marina in Fulton. Then this morning, thanks to "falling back" our clocks gained an hour and we were underway before 6:30 AM. We saw another spectacular sunrise...there was a mist rising on the river with silhouettes of the cypress trees standing along the shore...hundreds of American Coots were swimming in the slough as we departed the marina's entry and headed back into the flow of the Tenn-Tom Waterway. Mom has really enjoyed cruising and many times through-out each day she has said, "this is such a beautiful world." Today, on two occasions, we saw an otter swim across the river, although once it may have been a beaver...a huge bald eagle perched in the tallest tree...countless blue herons, of course the coots at sunrise...we've kept a watchful eye out for deer as we were told we might see them along the banks, but no luck yet...then as we approached the marina, the White Pelicans greeted us in the channel. It may very well have been one of the flocks heading south that we saw when we left Grafton over a month ago.

I'm enjoying posting our videos on YOUTUBE and creating movies with music from our photographs...It's a great way to share since I am a possessed shutterbug! I'm sure I'll add a few more posts on the blog before hanging up my writer's pen for awhile. I know I can speak for my captain when I say what a wonderful time we have had cruising with Fern. She is a joy to be around and an inspiration to everyone who knows her. Thank you mom for being here.