Hazel Earns Her First Scar, and a Few Cold Sodas

The weather was on our side again today: warm sun, gentle breeze, and skies that made you believe in good fortune. But docking Hazel? That was a different story.

We attempted to tie off at a steel barge platform smack in the middle of a bend on the main channel of the Mississippi. The current was clocking in at 5 knots, sounds tame, but it felt like the river was flexing its muscles. Add in the chop from passing tugs, and Hazel became a handful. Precision was nearly impossible.

Despite our best efforts, Hazel earned her first badge of honor: a small scratch on the bow. With 32,000 pounds of boat and a raging river, there’s a razor-thin line between too slow and out of control. We crept in at the lowest speed that still allowed steering, and eventually got her secured. No photos, every hand was needed. Picture a tug wrangling a flat barge loaded with gear to service other tugs, and you’ll get the idea.

We met some genuinely kind folks at the dock. Trevor, the boss on site, had no idea we were coming, apparently the main office forgot to mention us. The diesel pumping barge was out on another job, so Trevor hopped in his truck, drove us to a gas station, and helped us fill our Gerry cans. Bonus: we snagged some ice-cold Diet Coke and Mountain Dew. Small victories.

Getting Hazel off the dock was another feat. The current had her pinned, and even with five people helping, it took serious teamwork to break free. But we did it, and continued our journey downstream.

Tonight was all about planning our approach to New Orleans. We’re three days out, but timing is

everything. Anchoring near the city is forbidden, so we need to pass through during daylight and land at a marina with a transient slip. Sounds simple, but it’s a logistical puzzle, balancing anchorages, timing, and the final push.

New Orleans isn’t just a city; it’s a maritime colossus. Cruise ships, car carriers, oil tankers, everything big and buoyant floats there. Our prep work now will be crucial in the days ahead.

As we drifted south, Peter and I both noticed how the shoreline has transformed, majestic trees, lush grasses, and untouched beaches. It’s stunning.

Finding tonight’s anchorage took time. We don’t talk about it much, but it’s a daily challenge, scouting a safe spot before the light fades, making sure everything and everyone is secure.

And one last note: Vicksburg. We passed through recently and it’s worth remembering its Civil War significance. Perched high on the east bank, it was a strategic linchpin. Jefferson Davis called it “the nailhead that holds the South’s two halves together.” Lincoln was even more direct: “Vicksburg is the key! The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.” Its fall gave the Union control of the Mississippi, severing Confederate supply lines and reshaping the war.

Tonight, we’re just north of Natchez. The river keeps rolling, and so do we.

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The sun rises gently over the water as we ready Hazel for departure, lifting anchor and setting our course for the day ahead.

I know, we’re all starting to feel a bit casino fatigue. But seriously, the sheer number of them lining the Mississippi is astonishing. Here’s yet another: the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Vicksburg, Mississippi, standing proud along the riverbank like so many others.

These are the Vicksburg bridges: one for rail, one for autos. The first is the railroad bridge, striking in its ornate design and historic elegance. The second, a highway bridge, is more utilitarian but still impressive as it spans the mighty Mississippi.

Also photographed is the American Splendor paddlewheel, a vessel with a distinctly old-world vibe, reminiscent of the classic riverboats that once graced the docks of Red Wing. Its design and spirit harken back to a bygone era of elegant travel along the Mississippi

This is one of the rare tributaries feeding into the Mississippi this far south, though I couldn’t track down its name.

Also in the pictures is another Army Corps of Engineers complex. I tried to line up the shot so the power plant in the background made it look like smoke was billowing from the tug. Not sure if the illusion worked, but I gave it my best shot. Tried to channel a little bit of my inner Ingrid on this one.

We’re still holding onto our theory that something unusual is happening with the crops. Once again, every northbound barge we passed was massive, and completely empty. We lost track of the count, but the numbers today matched yesterday’s. It’s a pattern that’s hard to ignore.