A day filled with art and architecture.  The historic homes in Mobile were to die for.  So impressive that so many downtown neighborhoods were thriving.  The Walter Anderson museum in Ocean Springs and the Ohr O'Keefe museums in Biloxi were highlights today as well. Turns out these southern artists were ahead of their time in the late 1800's thru the 1960's. Current residents are celebrating their "early modern" works today. Heading north to our frozen tundra starting tomorrow for Thanksgiving.

Casinos in Biloxi, yacht clubs in Ocean Springs and Fairhope.  Shrimp boats everywhere. All good fun. Wish it were above 45 but it's better than snow. We visited a pecan farm and a local pottery too. Lots of welcoming southern hospitality.

Ocean springs yacht club

We did it! Our first long leg to the Gulf of Mexico completed in 1400 miles.  The shipping channel into Mobile was a stark contrast to river cruising. Our little tug motored through with no problems.
Love the tropical feel here on the Gulf- 66 degrees, sunshine, Pelicans, Palm trees and watching for gators and manatees.  We will stay in Mobile for a few days and do some day trips via car before heading home for thanksgiving.

Captain Phillips style lifeboat .... Creepy

Stealth Navy ship

Coffeeville Alabama and Bobby's Fish Camp yesterday with 7 boats rafted up to get the catfish infamous dinner. Fun time for all.   Our last lock this morning on the way to Mobile tomorrow. Oh, an it's freezing outside. Toasty in the boat...

Heading into the lock at first light

Demopolis Alabama is a great southern representative of hard work and tough times amidst a beautiful setting. French colonists settled here before the Civil War and then land owners built mansions with slave labor. Today, people seem to work hard to protect the history and community along the river.

White limestone cliffs on the journey to Demopolis AL

Elvis' birthplace in Tupelo was fun to see today.  Modest little home surrounded by a nice park, museum and gift shop of course.  Veteran's day parade this morning in Columbus.  Looking for a spot to watch the Spartans tonight! Sunny and 62...had to get an ice cream cone as the Dairy Creme is still open...maybe never closes?

Go Dawgs! The other MSU is on fire here in Columbus MS. Rated #1 nationally right now so we had to go see the campus. Also enjoyed an Antebellum mansion built in 1852 by a wealthy attorney. Fun day on land complete with shrimp n grits and BBQ pork tacos. Oh, and Waffle House this am for pecan waffles.  Staying one more day even tho it's 42 degrees tonight.  Gotta go see Elvis' birthplace tomorrow.

Waverly mansion 

Shiloh national battle field in Shiloh, TN was quite moving today.  Such a peaceful and beautiful park that holds so much human loss.  The American history we are learning continues to be an unexpected part of the trip.

Locks rule the day. After a 4 hour delay to lock thru Wheeler we learned we had another 4 to wait for Wilson.  With barely 11 hours of daylight we can't make much progress with 8 hours of waiting for commercial traffic. We do appreciate the fuel and raw materials that the barges carry of course.

 We found another lovely yacht club to visit in between the locks.  Turtle Point in Killen AL was very gracious for a late Sunday "transient" arrival.  Hot showers, a bottle of Chardonnay on the house  and we were happy to relax after starting our day at 545am.