Going down the Tennessee River
Thursday, October 19. After locking down 71’ at Fort Loudoun Lock, we are thrilled to say its 100% easier than locking up. YAY!
We stopped at the Terrace View Marina near Spring City, TN. Within 1/2 hour we were riding in Randy and Eileen’s jeep heading to a Kroger grocery store. Randy and Eileen completed their Loop a few years ago and lived on their boat during the summer months. They simply were walking from their boat passing our boat to the parking lot, and extended an offer to the grocery store. We introduced ourselves while driving. They shared their experiences and we were grateful for the ride and conversation.
Friday, October, 20. The river is able to produce BIG WATER when the wind blows 30kts! Crazy to see white caps like these on the river. We opted for another day at Terrace View Masrina.
Anchorage at Old Dixie Cove right before Watts Bar Lock. What a difference from the day before—no wind.
Sunday, October 22. Locked down at Watts Bar (62.1’) and headed to Shady Grove Marina. This photo shows the beauty along the way.
Mr. Blue Heron in front of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant.
Monday, October 23. We stayed another day to reset. Shady Grove has a very nice courtesy vehicle, and the owner told us we could have it all day. We now have haircuts, odds and ends from Ace HardwaWre, Walmart, Albi(grocery store—mainly bought chocolate), and for convenience (and Darth enjoys)—linner (lunch-dinner) at KFC.
Tuesday, October 24. We decided to stop at Chattanooga again—we have about 12 days before the AGLCA rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park. Locking down 46’ at Chickamauga Dam, we arrived mid-afternoon at the Bluff Dock. There were a few looper boats that we knew, and met Cheri & Pete on Spring Fling.
Yes, Don & Sue—we had to go see the Chattanooga Choo Choo. : ) We missed you both as we also ate at Feed Table & Tavern.
Tuesday, October 25. Our boat and Soulmates boat from the Walnut walking bridge. Buildings in background are the River and Ocean Aquariums.
Walnut Bridge. According to the Historic American Engineering Record: ‘The bridge was apparently the first non-military highway bridge accross the Tennessee River. It connected the predominently white city on the south side with the large black workforce on the north side. The bridge served vehicle and pedestrian traffic for 87 years before the repair costs forced the city to close it in 1978, The bridge was restored for pedestrian traffic only in 1993. ‘
Our coffee from the North Shore of Chattanooga at Aretha Frankensteins. Great choice for breakfast!
Incline Railroad to Lookout Mountain. It’s a little scary riding backwards.
Darth and I walked up the rode from the Incline RR landing to Point Park Battlefield on Lookout Mtn.
View from park— Tennessee River we will be cruising after we leave Chattanooga.
We toured the Chattanooga Whiskey Distillery, With whiskey tasting at the end. We bought the Chattanooga Whiskey 91 bottle and ofcourse t-shirts.
Thursday, October 26. We visited Tennessee’s Medal of Honor National Heritage Museum. Reading about the people who received the awards have a common expression. They are ordinary people who demonstrated extraordinary heroism—and all who were interviewed said they only did what their comrades would do for them. This was humbling and we both took a long time reading and listening to the honored in this museum.
We left Chattanooga to anchor 7nm down river behind Williams Island. This photo shows a group of rowers getting ready for the Cattajack paddleboard/kayak race to be held Saturday. We opted to leave before the river got extremely busy.
Moon at Williams Island anchorage.
Friday, October 27. Sunrise at Williams Is. Time to head down river some more.
Photo sent through NEBO app from another looper on Bama Breeze. They said they were heading to their slip in Chattanooga and had just completed their loop at Grand Harbor. We never met them, but they were kind to send us this photo. I’m in the back taking a photo of their boat and sent it to them.
We arrived at Shellmound State Park and docked at the free dock. We were greeted by a couple from Columbus, Mississippi who took our name/number— shared theirs and said they would take us around their area when we pass through. They were not boaters, just friendly folks that we keep meeting. We intend to call them and meet again.
Saturday, October 28. Morning sunrise at Shellmound. We got up early and locked through Nickajack—39.5’ down and headed to Goose Pond Marina.
Goose Pond Marina. Cheri and Pete from Spring Fling also arrived and we ate dinner together at the Docks—restaurant across the road. Fun night!
Sunday, Octorber 29th. Man fishing in a kayak behind our boat this morning.
It’s 80 degrees and we are headed to town with Cheri and Pete via courtesy vehicle.