The brick chimney is the only remaining part of the Confederate Power Mill. Note the Confederate flag at the bottom. Behind the chimney is the Sibley Mill built in the 1890s. Linda’s week–long birthday continued with a ride on the Augusta Canal in a replica of the historic Petersburg Canal Boat. We booked on the 11:30 am tour and boarded from the Enterprise Mill that houses the Canal Interpretative Center. The one– hour tour cost $12 each. The Sunset Cruise and the Moonlight Music Cruise cost $20 and $24 respectively.

Captain Billy pulled the quiet electric–powered boat to the dock, and the 15 passengers were ushered aboard by Beth the Expert Blond Tour Guide who narrated the trip. As we cruised along, she pointed out the 19th century textile mills, the Confederate Powder Works, several 18th century homes, the Augusta Medical Center, and numerous representatives of local wildlife such as herons and ducks. The otters and alligators remained hidden.

We passed friendly kayakers on the Augusta Canal. It was a great tour. My birthday girl took it all in and did not get seasick or sunburned because she wore a sun hat she bought in the gift shop.

On our way out of Augusta we drove through the downtown and parked on Broad Street for a short walk. It was interesting to find a statue of James Brown, the King of Soul, at one end and a Confederate Memorial at the other end. The engraving on the memorial read: “No nation rose so white and fair: none fell so pure of crime.”

Next week:

Rockton–Rion Dinner Train
Capt. Billy piloted our Petersburg Canal Boat through the Augusta Canal. Tour Guide Beth narrated the tour.
This 1878 Confederate Memor ial in Augusta is the tallest and one of the oldest Confederate memorials in Georgia. The 76–foot–tall monument features a private at the top and Generals Rober t E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, T.R.R. Cobb, and W.H.T. Walker at the bottom.
The Augusta Canal is open Monday through Saturday for tours at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3 pm. Sunday cruises are at 1:30 pm, 3 pm, and 4:30 pm. The Sunset Cruise is on Saturday at 5:30 pm, the Moonlight Music Cruise on Friday at 6:30 pm. Call 706-832-0440 x 4 or AugustaCanal.com.
Linda stands outside the Confederate Power Mill.
James Brown was born at Beech Island, SC, but l ived in Augusta. This statue is on Broad Street in Augusta.