After we left Demopolis we had a 50 mile run to the Sumter Recreation Area along the Tenn-Tom. During the day we took turns vacuuming up ants with the mini Shop-Vac. They had swarmed onto the boat the night before, climbing along the docklines and zeroing in on the galley. I got stung on my leg by a wasp while trying to wipe thousands of ants off the power line before setting it back on the boat.

We refilled our diesel cans and headed out in time to make it through the Heflin Lock and get to the Sumter site by dark. It was our best non-marina dockage of the trip. Apristine nature area/campground with a concrete dock wall next to two launch ramps. It was totally deserted when we arrived. That's Nial on the deck of HUCK tied to the dock. My whereabouts should be obvious from the sign! We were able to stretch our legs and returned to the boat for a pasta with sauce dinner cooked on board! We were lulled to sleep by the chorus of bullfrogs all around the basin.

At 4 AM I was awakened by the sound of pickup trucks and boats being launched down the ramps, right next to HUCK. No fewer than 35 bass boats launched in the next 1 1/2 hours for the start of a major Bass Tournement. What to do? I made coffee and went out to jaw with the Alabamans while they lined up for the start. So much for the deserted park!

With a little help from the fishermen, we were off to a pre-sunrise beginning for our last leg to Columbus, MS, where Nial jumps ship to return to Minnesota. The sunrise photo was taken about 1/2 hour after getting underway.