We have docked in Columbus, Mississippi, and plan to stay put until Monday. They have a lovely cove area and a restaurant for fine dining just across the parking lot. We plan to use the courtesy van tomorrow and visit the home of Tennessee Williams and a few antebellum home/museums. These past few days have proved eventful in ways we hadn't really thought about. Yesterday in one of the locks, I spotted what looked like a pretty good sized stick...something the captain would want to avoid...yea, right, it was a SNAKE. First mate got more than a little skittish about being trapped in a lock with that critter. Then this morning leaving Aberdeen, we discovered ANTS all over the ropes. They'd been coming aboard all night. I've been on a killing rampage. Ant carnage is everywhere on deck. Those suckers should never have tried to stow away here. Ant traps are on the list for our WalMart trip tomorrow. We haven't seen any alligators yet, but the foliage in the water sure reminds us that it is possible. Next week this time we'll be headed back to Wichita. See you soon.