Navigation

The US Corps of Engineers has placed red and green markers along the river channel to mark the safe area to travel.  (Lucky for us, the Corps did not shut down with the rest of the government, since they also operate the locks.) In order to help Pam remember which side of the markers we're to be on, I use a red a green potato chip clipped to the port and starboard side inside our windshield.

Below the locks, we are back to being in a river.  The river is narrow, and the channel even more narrow.  If you were to meet a tow boat pushing loaded barges here, it would be good to know on which side he wanted you to pass. Towboats don't make sharp turns, and they can't stop.

Towboat captains have a language all their own.  I've talked to them on the VHF radio before, and their drawl is almost impossible to understand.  That must be part of towboat captain school.  Slur your words and keep several marbles in your mouth.  If you ask which side they want you on, it's always either "One Whistle" or "Two Whistle."  We were lucky with this guy, he blew two blasts on his horn to let us know he wanted to pass two whistle--starboard to starboard.  A one whistle pass is port to port.  If he ever blows five horn blasts, it's not really for you.  It's too late for you.  That's to let your next of kin to come and pick up the remains.

We're staying at Ditto Landing tonight.  Then on to Decatur, AL tomorrow.