Oct. 29, 2014 Wed depart Guntersville Free Dock MM 358

Had a restful evening as the only boat on the free dock, and no fog this morning so off we went at 0820 headed for as far as we could get in a day. We have one lock to go thru about 9 miles downstream called originally enough the Guntersville Lock. The locks are the reason we don’t know exactly how far we will go in a day. Sometimes you can get thru them quickly and other times you can be held up for 4-5 hours if a large tow and his barges are locking thru. We as pleasure boats are low on the totem pole for locking priority. Today we got lucky and when I called the lock he said to bring it on down as he had nothing in the area presently so we kept coming. We were in the lock tied up secure at 0939 and out of the lock at 0959 a 39 foot drop. We also used the auxiliary lock chamber which is smaller than the main chamber which being repaired.

We exited the lock and cruised on down to Ditto Landing Marina in Huntsville, Al. I had lost my America Great Loop Cruiser flag in a storm so I had ordered another one and had them ship it to the marina knowing that we would pass this way on our way back from Chattanooga. While there I thought I would get a free pump out and some ice when I noticed that diesel fuel was $ 3.75 a gallon, as you remember a lot of boats stopped at Goose Pond Marina because diesel was $ 3.99 a gallon so I decided to get some fuel also. It took about an hour to accomplish all this and then we were back on our way. We realized that we could make Decatur, Al and the Riverwalk Marina for the night. The nice thing about this marina is that it is a self-serve kind of place where if you don’t see anyone from the marina you send them your dockage fee of .50 cents a foot in the mail like in an honor system. They also have a restaurant, the Hard Dock Café there that is famous for its blackened catfish. So dinner it was and the World Series Game. The catfish was good but a little to blackened for me but all in all a nice night.

At the dock at Riverwalk Marina, Decatur, Alabama

The famous Hard Dock Café at the marina

The railroad bridge with 9.8 ft. of clearance that had to be raised for us

 

 

Tuesday Oct. 28, 2014

Free Dock in Guntersville, Al.

We pulled up anchor and were on our way with Moondance at 0806. Guntersville Lake is one of the largest lakes on the Tennessee so it was a calm day boating with no locks. Bright Angel caught up with us later in the morning as they had pulled into the marina at Hales Bar while we anchored out. They were headed to Goose Pond Marina where they had an appointment with a diesel mechanic to try and solve an oil leak. Moondance had told us as we left the anchorage that there was a weather forecast for squalls and storms that evening so they were going to go into Goose Pond also. We had heard thru the Looper vine that diesel fuel was $ 3.99 a gallon there and they needed fuel. They pulled in and we decided it was too early and too nice of a day to stop that soon so we pressed on. Dan, another Looper on Potest Fieri, had told me about a free dock right in downtown Guntersville. Free is good. We cruised into the Guntersville free dock at 1522 hours. Got tied up to the nice floating dock and headed into town. Did a quick reconnoiter of the downtown and returned to the boat. The restaurant we wanted to go to because of such great reviews was only open for lunch on Tuesday so we went to the Bridge’s Café which is a Brazilian Steak House in downtown Guntersville, Alabama. Go figure. The burgers were really good and we watched the Royals destroy the Giants in the series. Finished listening to the game on the boat as we were the only customers’ in the place by the 4^th innings.

The free Guntersville dock where we stayed

 

 

Monday Oct. 27, 2014

Departing Chattanooga

We got up early 6:30 for our departure from Chattanooga only to find the river engulfed with fog. Colletta was agreeable so back to bed she went. The fog finally burned off enough so we departed at 11:15. Running with the current now as we head down river our speed has picked up to 8.6 kts at 1500 rpm. Sweet !

Chattanooga has been a great stop. For only .75 cents a foot you get to stay right in downtown ( $ 32.25 per night for us).

The current slowed alittle as we got further down river, 7.5 kts at 1500 rpm that 9 miles per hour much better then 5.5 – 6 kts against the current. Beautiful day with temperatures of 72 degrees and plenty of sun.

We had to go thru one lock today, Nickajack Lock at mm 424.7 about a 39 mile run from Chattanooga but when you a flying along time goes quick. We locked thru with two other much larger pleasure craft that were returning from Knoxville and the Alabama- Tennessee football game on Saturday. As an aside, we had toyed with the idea of going farther up the river from Chattanooga to maybe Knoxville. We decided we had had enough going against the current and decided Chattanooga was as far up stream as we would go. About 30 minutes after leaving this morning we heard a boater asking the Chickamauga Lock ( that is the lock immediately upstream from Chattanooga for lockage to go up stream. The lockmaster informed him that a structural problem had been discovered in one of the locks doors and they won’t be able to lock him thru until the engineers could assess the damage. This occurred Monday noon Oct. 27 when the lock was closed and as I type this installment of the blog the lock is still closed until further notice. So if we had gotten thru this lock we might be trapped up stream for who knows how long. It is better to be unlucky then good some times.

We decided to make a short day of it with our late start so some other Loopers we had met, Berwick and Alexis on M/V Moondance called and said they were anchored a little ways after the lock behind Burns Island, so we cruised on down and pulled in behind them. The water was 19 feet deep and whatever kind of bottom was down there was hard. We could hear and feel the anchor pouncing along the bottom as I back up trying to get it to set. We let our more and more anchor chain until at around 100 feet it suddenly caught. I backed down some more to make sure it was set and would hold. My thought of being close enough to Moondance went out the window because we ended up so far away.

Our anchorage behind Burns Island

Moondance thru a telephoto lens

 We had a peaceful evening and Skyped with Pete for 45 minutes. It was incredible cell coverage for the boonies as we could hear cows mooing behind the trees. It wasn’t until Tuesday morning when we left the anchorage we spotted this huge cell tower right around the corner from the anchorage.

Friday – Sunday, October 24-26

Chattanooga is a great city.  It is visitor friendly and boater friendly.  The docks are located right downtown, parking parallel on either concrete wall or floating docks.  Either is very nice, secure, although the concrete wall on the river walk is more public, which Tm enjoys cause of all the people who stop and talk.

Attractions

1.        The Aquarium – This modern facility was very well done.   It is divided into 2 buildings – freshwater and saltwater.  We visited both buildings over the course of a day, entering and leaving for breaks and lunch.  The saltwater building had a HUGE tank containing all the usual fish, as well as the Lookdown fish which Colletta caught in the intercoastal at Jupiter.  It had a butterfly room, macaws, and a tank to touch stingrays.  The freshwater building had otters playing, seahorse special exhibits and regional information.  The displays were very interesting and we could relate to them as many were about the Tennessee River and its ecosystems.



Side Note – The aquariums are glass structure with triangular roofs.  A tightrope walker had stretched cables between the outer peaks.  Friday and Saturday he made numerous attempts to walk across the tightropes – some successful and some, not so much.  His safety cable saved him many times.  It was an interesting sidebar to the fish.

If you look closely at the picture you will notice cables strung from the points of the Aquarium building. This is where the tight rope walker was crossing. He did the short one in the background much better then the long one in front. It seemed the long one had too much play in it.

 

This is the crazy guy himself. You just can't make this stuff up. People are crazy.

 

2.       Chattanooga Choo Choo – The Choo Choo was on the opposite end of town which gave us the opportunity to take the electric, free trolley. The trolley gave us a more complete view of the down town area.  The Choo Choo was at the depot which since has been converted into a hotel.  The train was out back, with dining cars and sleeping cars on display.  Some of the cars have been converted into Hotel suites for the overnight guests.  The grounds included a beautiful garden with roses and fountains.

The original Chattanooga Choo Choo

 

3.       North Shore – We took the bikes and rode across the Walnut Street Bridge which has been converted into a walking, bike bridge only.  It was up a very steep, hill and our legs got a workout in that ride.  The North shore is more trendy and gentrified. Nice parks on the riverfront, a bike path, cute shops, yogurt stops, fitness centers, a Whole foods, and restaurants.  We ate at Brewhaus and enjoyed brats, kraut, tator cakes, and red cabbage. (Cindy would have loved it)  Had lunch on Sunday at the River front deli, Tom loved his prouscett and fresh mozzarella sandwich with fig jam and a pickle.  This is also where we did some grocery shopping, but we bought at Publix.  On Saturday night there was a concert in the park, The Wood Brothers played.  A popular group by local standards, with groupies present.  We were somewhat mystified by the crowd, didn’t recognize any of their songs, and cannot even describe the genre – not country, maybe mountain twang.

4.       The town has created a bike path, up the nemesis of the hill, thru the Bluff district and along the riverfront.  It is well paved, has elevated bridges, and lookout stops along the way.  In the afternoon, much of it is shaded and makes for a pleasant ride.  It goes from Chattanooga to the Chickamauga Lock which makes the round trip about 15 miles.

 

Other Cool stuff in Chattanooga

1.        Tsaziazkis Greek restaurant – Went to this Mediterranean restaurant, looking for a lamb shank, no such luck.  Did find a great lamb gyro with skadalia garlic sauce, Yum.  The house special salad was also delicious.  The waitress stopped by our table to showcase the menu fare that they were serving to other customers.  Lots of good looking food.

2.       World of Beer – where to begin – 600 good reasons to stop here – 50 draft beers, a 25 foot cooler of imported bottle beers and a 25 foot cooler of beers from the US and Tennessee.  We squeezed in and found a seat at the bar, enjoyed part of the World Series game and enjoyed 4 local brews.  Left after the band was playing the Eagles.

Besides an identical cooler at the other end of the bar with imported beers in it, this cooler was for US and Tennessee beers. Oh, did I mention they had 50 beers on tap also. If this is heaven, the Lord can take me now. :-)

 

3.       Chatta-Jack 31 -On Saturday morning the participants entered the Tennessee River on their choice of “Paddle “vehicle – canoe, stand-up paddleboard or kayak.  The timed race started at the bridge and proceeded downriver 31 miles toward Nickajack Dam.  There were over 200 paddlers who entered the river at 8am with the air temp of 49 degrees.  The sun was shining brightly; Colletta was wrapped in a fleece blanket wearing her slippers.

The beginning of the ChattaJack 31 race. Only 31 miles to go, luckily they are going with the current

 

We are glad we made the 250 mile run up the river to visit this city.  Altho we would have enjoyed going up to Lookout Mountain (the tram was closed for repairs – will do another time), we enjoyed every part of the visit and would highly recommend it to boater and landlubbers alike.  As we head out on Monday, the captain will enjoy the push of the river going downbound at a speed of 8 knots, or 9 ½ mph.

 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Departed Bull Frog cove.  Pulling up the anchor consisted of spraying off a lot of mud and knocking off seaweed, great holding, but messy.  We waited for Simpatico to check his engine strainers as they had anchored deeper into the cove and green seaweed.  All if fine so we are off.  Nice running day.  We went thru are only lock today at Nickajack, our best lift yet.  Pulled into Hales Bar Marina, rustic. Tony, in the convenient store, was the best part about the marina.  Full service store, Yuengling Lite, and a grill for our steaks.  

Hales Bar Marina on Nickajack Lake

 

Friday, October 24. 2014

Up and out and on our way to Chattanooga.  The trip was very scenic.  The” Grand Canyon of Tennessee” is very pretty, high cliffs, trees changing colors, blue skies and whispy clouds.  12 twisty curves to pilot through on our 35 mile trip.  At one interesting point, the river was very deep, 118ft, the water was more turbulent and the tight curves kept thing interesting.  These curves were named by the settlers; the Pan, the Skillet and the Pot.   It is fun to make that last curve and run parallel to I-24.  We are just taking a different route to Florida this year, on water rather than the one on land.  We are moored right in front of the famous Aquarium, best place.  The AGLCA harbor host, Hal Baker met us with a friendly hand and city information.  A nice welcome.

Scenery in the " Tennessee Grand Canyon"

Look Out Mountain coming into Chattanooga

 

Wednesday Oct 22

(This entry is submitted by the first mate.)The bikes were loaded last night and dishes put away, coffee made so we are ready to go.  The day was a nice traveling day.  The sun has been making its usual appearance which makes for a pleasant day.  We will have one lock to go thru both today and tomorrow on are way to Chattanooga for the weekend.  Locks are not scary, they just make me anxious.  We prepare with fenders, acquire information from the lockmaster and still the pulse rate of this mate increases every time.  We are always safe with life jackets, gloves, lines and push poles and even then conditions are not always favorable.  The wind may increase off our stern due to lock doors being open, we may be tied close to the fill valve or the line to the bollard may be too long.  These little variables can make for an interesting lift in the lock.  We continue to alter our technique to try and improve the lock experience but it will be a continuous learning experience.  This was a pretty good one.  Every day I try to relieve the captain for a short time and pilot the boat.  It gives him a chance to play with boat stuff, and push buttons on his phone and read his book; all essential things for a well-rounded captain. 

Another beautiful day the Lord has made.  The lake is calm with an occasional ripple.  The sun is reflecting off the lake making it sparkle and glisten as the rays hit the water.

 We anchor in a bay called Bullfrog cove – very peaceful.  The sun is just hitting the tree tops and the nighttime bug noises are starting.  The little fish are jumping all over – or are these fogs?  I can’t tell for sure.  It cools down quickly, even Tom got out a sweatshirt to wear, as the last few birds tweet at dusk.  Power lines across the river are off our stern and their red lights are now blinking softly – a great night- light.

This is the Bellefonte Nuclear power plant on the river. It was one of the TVA's biggest financial disaster. They have spent over $ 6 Billion dollars on this power plant and it is still not operational and has never produced one volt of electricity. We googled it to see why it was never completed but could not find anything.

The crew doing a great job in Nickajack Lock during our locking process

Tuesday Oct. 21, 2014

Huntsville Space Museum

We all met in the parking lot and waited for the Enterprise car person to show up. There was a little problem finding the marina, I mean it is the only one in town, but I guess not everyone is a boater. although it would be hard to tell by all the bass boats flying around on the water. Anyway we got the car and headed off to the museum. Bill and Connie dropped Fred (the brother), Colletta and me at the museum. The museum and displays and people were fantastic.  It is amazing how much progress has been made in the space and rocket program.  When it first originated, that was all we hear about – going into space and landing on the moon.  As time went on, the talk decreased and today the space program and the ISS (International Space Station) is taken for granted.  When you go to this museum, see a moon rock and the moon rover and then go and actually see a control center for the ISS, your enthusiasm for the program and awe for those achievements is once again fueled with excitement. We spent the majority of the day there and would have stayed longer, but our “car” had arrived to pick us up.  After a quick stop at Walmart, and the local liquor store, we were back at the boat, just in time for cocktails.  We enjoyed once again visiting with Bill and Connie and Fred and a tour of their 32 ft. Nordic Tug, Simpatico. 

A Saturn V rocket on display

My charming crew at the museum

The business end of a Saturn V rocket 7.5 million pounds of thrust

Werner Van Braun's original rocket test stand at Redstone Military Base

All in all a great day and well worth the time there. What I failed to mention is that if you  want to tour the military base on the 2 hour bus tour the museum offers you need a photo I.D. Colletta just brought a credit card since we don't drive a car right now so no entry. When we explained our blight of being on a boat and having been dropped off the manager requisitioned a car from the motor pool. She then dispatched one of her employees along with Colletta to take her back to the boat some 15 miles away. She returned with her license in plenty of time to take the bus tour.

 

Monday Oct. 20, 2014

Ditto Landing in Huntsville, Alabama

A non-cruising day today. I want to go the Space Museum here in Huntsville but logistically it is proving to be a little difficult and expensive. The museum is 16 miles one way from the marina and that is the interstate route, the bike route would be longer. So we called the taxi company and they wanted $35.00 each way, then called Enterprise car rental and they wanted $ 72 for an economy car for the day. They must have talked to the taxi company so I didn’t want to spend $ 70 bucks plus admission to the museum so we figured we would see it by car on our way to Florida sometime. So we googled Wal-Mart and found it was 2.8 miles from the marina. Slam dunk on the bikes. Colletta then asked if I had checked for Aldi’s and I had not, so googled Aldi’s. Would you believe that Aldi’s and Wal-Mart are a half a block apart on the same street and between them is the Enterprise Car Rental. Go figure. So off on our bikes we went to Wal-Mart and Aldi’s. We found as we left the marina, Google said to take the Greenbelt along the highway which we did, a beautiful bike path thru the woods away from traffic but about a mile farther. Who cares, we are one with nature. When we arrived at the intersection between Wal-Mart and Aldi’s we realized we didn’t need anything from Wal-Mart so we hit our favorite grocery store instead. It is another reality shopping when you know you are carrying everything home with you on a bike. 3 nap sacks and a cardboard box bungeed to my bike away we went. Some friends I met on the way back to the boat.

 

After we got back to the boat we unpacked the groceries and chilled out. Then we decided to do some more exploring with the bikes and at the end of the day we had put about 14 miles on the bikes and felt none the worst for it. A low key day but fun.

As we were getting ready for cocktails, a fellow” looper” named Bill from the boat Simpatico stopped at the boat and said he was renting a car in the morning for an appointment and his brother who is traveling with them wanted to go the Space Museum and would we like to go with them. It is really amazing how nice people can be on this adventure. So tomorrow we head to the Space Museum in Huntsville.

Sunday Oct. 19, 2014

Slow, scenic, and boring just another day in paradise

Six Mile Creek , Wilson Lake , Alabama mm 266 to Ditto Landing Marina mm 333.3 Huntsville, Alabama

 

Pulled up the anchor from Six Mile Creek at 0815 hours and exited into Wilson Lake. The anchorage had been much deeper then we normally anchor in so we put out almost 90 feet of chain with our anchoring bridle. When we pulled the anchor up it was covered in mud which is a good thing. It was buried into the bottom and just not laying on some rock. As we entered Wilson lake we called the Wheeler Lock master. He said he was finishing locking thru a double tow which means the tow had to break apart his barges and it takes about 2 hours for this process. Seeing he was almost done we were instructed to” bring it up close” to the lock so as soon as the tow cleared the lock we could enter. We entered the lock at 1005 hours and exited at 1030 hours. It was one of our rougher locking because it turned out that they could only use one set of valves to fill the lock. The valves on the side we were tied to, so there was a lot of turbulence trying to push us around even tho we were tied to the lock wall on a bollard (this is a cleat that floats up with the level of the water. It goes up with you so you don’t have to use long ropes for locking thru and gives you more control to keep your boat close to the lock wall). This was a good lesson; the next time before we enter a lock we will ask if there is a preferred side to tie to. 

As we exited the lock we entered Wheeler Lake.  A few miles in I noticed a weird movement in the water and as we got closer although it looked like the lochness monster it was 2 deer swimming across the lake at the widest part of the lake. Go figure.
 

We had a leisurely day cruising up the river thru some industrial areas,by a nuclear power plant and the city of Decatur, Al. We finally arrived at Ditto Landing Marina just as the sun set at 1810 hours. Got a slip and were done for the day.
 

Saturday October 18, 2014

Pickwick State Park 207.6 to 6 Mile Creek, Wilson Lake, Alabama mm 266

We departed the marina at 0830 headed for as far as we could get. The lake is really wide in this part and at our normal cruising rpm of 1500 we were doing almost 6.7 kts. So that means less current to go against, always a good thing. We passed a number of “Looper” boats returning from the rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park on the Tennessee River. We had planned on attending but tows and locks conspired against us. I also under estimated the distances that we could cover in the time I allowed. Oh well, maybe next year. It was easy navigating today.   Although there is a preferred course line, the water is deep enough so you have some leeway where you are. Not the case in other areas along the river where if you stray, you pay. Bent props and worse. Harbor Lights pulled into Florence, Alabama for the night but slips were tight because of some river festival with dragon boat races and such. The marina was really packed when we went by so our decision to anchor out is fine with us. We caught the next lock perfectly, as there was a sailboat locking down and coming out of the lock as we arrived. The lock is the Wilson Lock in to Lake Wilson, a 93 foot lift. It is quite a spectacle when you pull up to it, in fact when the doors opened I had heard the lockmaster talking to the down bound sailboat but we couldn’t see anything in the lock. Finally, the horn blew signifying that the vessels in the lock could exit, when this little sailboat came out.

 

This is entering Wilson Lock
 

 

The depth finder reading as we entered the lock
 

The same depth finder as we exited the lock
 

 

 We were into the lock at 1542 lifted 93 feet and exited at 1605, a fast ride up. We got the cruising guides and computer out to find a place to anchor for the night. We decided, because of the way the wind was blowing, to anchor in 6 Mile Creek. According to the guides it was supposed to be 10-15 feet deep but the lake level is high so we anchored in 26 feet of water. We put out about 75 feet of chain and the anchor bridle. We then kept watch to make sure we didn’t drag. So far so good. It is Saturday night as I write; we are anchored in this creek so tomorrow I will let you know how this turns out.

Sunday morning and the anchor still holding so up it comes and off on a new adventure.

 

Friday October 17, 2014

Swallow Bluff Island mm 169.3 to Pickwick Landing State Park and Marina mm 207.6

A restful night as the current kept the boat positioned in the lee of the island. Got up early 630 to do my engine checks. Colletta was up and at’tem early also so we pulled back out into the river at 0715. We had spent the night anchored with 3 other boats. Can Am owned by a couple from Texas, Tohoma owned by a couple from Washington State. They do the loop for one month a year and then but the boat in storage at a marina. This is year 4 for them. The third boat was the Ouachita, a Coast Guard Buoy tender owned by all of us taxpayers.  We retraced our entrance into the anchorage as the cruising guides and ActiveCaptain.com said not to exit up stream because of snags and shoaling. Better to be safe than sorry. We had blue skies again. Really nice.

On our way today we noticed some serious mudslides that had occurred along the river. This house was one of the most precarious. You can see the concrete footing have slid down from under the house and the patio is just hanging out over nothing. Scary.

If you notice the right front corner of the house the concrete footing has collapsed from the mud slide. There is nothing supporting that corner of the patio.

We lucked out with the Pickwick Lock, because we had a minimal wait of probably 30 minutes to get into the lock. Can Am and Tohoma were traveling faster then us and had a 2 hour wait at the lock. The race does not always go to the swiftest. Locks on the river are a great equalizer. By the time we got to the lock the doors were opening so the Coast Guard boat went in first followed us pleasure boats. Harbor Lights had caught up with us so the 4 of us pleasure boats locked thru together. The lock lifted us 55 feet.

Locking thru Pickwick Lock

 

We exited at 1500 hours and headed for Pickwick Landing State Park Marina with Harbor Lights. Deb on Harbor Lights is doing some online course so she needs good internet. We had not been out walking about for 3 days so we thought a park early in the day would be nice so in we went.

Harbor Lights and Greek's Folly at the marina

 

Nice docks, but small bathrooms and only one shower for the entire marina. Maybe people prefer to shower on their boats. We can shower on our but a full size shower is special. Oh but they had rocking chairs. Guess who found one first?

 

 

 

Thursday Oct. 16, 2014

What’s that bright thing in the sky ?

Mermaid Marina mm 140 to Swallow Bluff Island mm 169.3

Got up at 6:30 so we could get an early start as we had a long way to go today. I looked out of our cabin window and told myself I have to wash these windows, I can’t see anything outside. I went up to the aft deck and found out the window wasn’t dirty it was very foggy. While we could travel in fog I choose not to if I have a choice. Barges and debris in the water, lots of things can happen and none of them good. So back to bed. Not all bad. By 0830 the fog had burned off and wonder of wonders there was this bright thing in the sky, the sun. It has been 7 days since we have had any sun. Hurray !!!

 

More current today 1650 rpm but only 5.2 kts.  A few tows today so travel was uneventful. A little debris in the river which is the first we have seen in the Tennessee. We pulled into Swallow Bluff Island at 1430 hours. Early for us but it was because this was the last island there was to anchor behind until Pickwick Lock which do to our slow speed we won’t get to until after dark. So to make it simple we just stopped early. Tomorrow we will start early, hopefully no fog and get thru Pickwick Lock. There have been a number of tows going by tonight so hopefully not much of a delay at the lock.

Wednesday Oct. 15, 2014

Leatherwood Creek mm 73.6 to Mermaid Marina mm 140.0

We pulled up the anchor at 0715 and were on our way. Something new and different, not, it was 52 degrees and raining. We encountered a little more current today as we were running at 1600 rpm at 6.2 kts. Did not pass too many tows today but at mm 80 we had a first, I was down below and Colletta was alerted by the AIS that a dangerous target was headed out way. It was a barge that she called on the radio and asked directions from the tow Captain as to where and how we should pass. I am very proud of her. Once again there were bass boats flying all over the lake.  I can’t believe there are that many fishermen starving because I cannot think of any other reason to be out on a day like today in an open boat charging around at 50 mph.

We plugged along and finally arrived at Mermaid Marina at 1720. I increased our speed alittle for the last hour because I didn’t want to arrive after dark again. I had talked to Barry the marina owner and told him we were on our way and he said he would stay until we got there. We arrived and pulled in to get diesel fuel. That way we could take off early the next day. I had heard they were supposed to be one of cheaper fuel stops on the river. He gave us a 30 cents a gallon discount and was 25 cents cheaper then Green Turtle. We took on 170 gallons, so first fuel since mm 158 on the Mississippi. While we fueling I asked if the restaurant was open and Barry’s significant other, Betty, said not really but they had to eat so she would open the restaurant for us but with a limited menu. She asked what kind of beer we drank, we said Bud Light so she grapped a 6 pack out of the cooler and said she will meet us upstairs at the restaurant. Colletta and I both ordered chicken breast to make it simple.  Betty and Barry both sat with us and had dinner with us. They had just purchased the marina a year ago on Labor Day. They have their work cut out for them but they are great people and very customer oriented. We wish them the best.

The fuel dock, Ships Store, Restaurant at Mermaid Marina

On our way to the marina we passed a number of impressive houses along the river. We don't know who they are or where they come from but they have some nice houses.

 

 

 

A lighthouse built on the cliff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

 

Departed Green Turtle Bay Marina at 0915, mm31.8.  Crossed over into Kentucky Lake and began our travels south.  Weather was the same, rainy and windy.  2-3 ft. waves on the lake, heading into them.  Even in the rain and cold, the bass boats were flying all over.  The fishermen were bundled up like the dead of winter. They don’t wave, they just hang on with 2 hands.  Score – fish 1, fishermen 0.  Looked for an anchorage out of the wind, and decided on Leatherwood Creek, mm73.6.  Got out of the wind, set the hook and settled in for the night.

Over cast and rainy again

Just like Lake Michigan on a sloppy day

 

Monday, October 13, 2014

Another day at Green Turtle Bay Marina, Grand Rivers, Tn.

 

Today is cleaning day. After 14 days on the river, it is amazing how dirty a boat can get. Scrubbed fenders, bow deck, fly bridge and everything else, except for the cats.  Boat now looks great.  Rode bikes into town, up the hills, down the hills and enjoyed exploring and getting some exercise. The wind had increased to 30-40 mph and boats were arriving to beat the predicted coming storm.  We secured our boat with extra lines just as the front hit, the temperature dropped 10 degrees and the rain came.  Stayed in and got cozy for the evening as the rain continued.  Found a few window leaks which is not unusually on a boat.

 

Sunday Oct. 12, 2014

Spending a day with family…

After we got tied up last night at the gas dock we got a text from Colletta’s niece Katie Larson who lives, as it turns out right across Lake Barkley from the marina. So she and her fiancé Matt Kaczmarski came down to the boat to see us. They were a great sight and they even brought a case of Bud Light and bottle of wine so we were really glad to see them. We talked on the back of the boat for a while and then Warren and Deb Berkley stopped over and we headed up to the Yacht Club for a cocktail. The only thing is that this is a dry county so you bring your own drinks. Strange.  I still don’t understand how they make out on this deal. The waitress would ask if you wanted another beer and then would bring you one of your own beers. We tipped her generously for her efforts. They had live entertainment of a 3 piece fiddle, guitar, and bass. They were very good. The fiddler played the devil went down to Georgia and the place really rocked.

Sunday, Katie and Matt picked us up for church. It was a Baptist church that Katie sings in the choir and Matt really likes the minister so it was nice.

 

 We then went out site seeing around the area. We went to their trailer and walked down to the lake and we saw the marina right across from their place. We stopped a Buzzards’ Marina for lunch and then went grocery shopping. Having a car is really nice for getting around. We then came back to the boat to chill for a while. Matt and Katie came back at 600 to go to Patti’s 1800’s Settlement Restaurant in Grand River. Patti’s is famous for their 2 inch thick pork chop. Warren and Deb from Harbor Lights joined us so we all piled into Matt’s car and took off to the restaurant. Warren and Deb surprised us by picking up dinner for all of us as a thank you for leading them on our river adventure.

We returned to the boat and Matt and Katie stuck around for a couple of hours just talking. They feel like a good match together.

This Greek's Folly at Green Turtle Bar Marina

 

These are all of the " Looper " boats at Green Trutle
I counted 16 one day

Wasteing away again in front of Lock five two

                                                                                                                                                

Saturday Oct. 11, 2014

"Wasteing Away Again" in front of Lock Five Two.

I was up at 0500 this morning to call the lockmaster and let him know that we and Harbor Lights, our companion boat, were ready to lock thru as soon as he could get us in the lock. He stated that another recreational boat would be in around 2 ½ hours and we would all lock thru together. Sounds like a plan.  The recreational boat showed up at 0900 and it was the paddle wheeler, “Spirit of Peoria” that we had tied up in front of when we were in Peoria.  The good news about him was that as a fare carrying vessel he jumps ahead of all the commercial traffic, so he was our ticket out of Lock 52. We finally pulled up anchors at 0930 and prepared to enter the lock. We finally proceeded into the lock behind the paddle wheeler and floated around in the lock while it slowly filled. We exited the lock at 1059 and headed up the Ohio.

All these triangles are tows waiting to get thru Lock 52. Lots of traffic!!

As we exited Colletta counted 20 tows with barges pushed up on shore waiting to get thru this lock. This many tows sitting around has got to cost big bucks for the tow companies.

We proceeded to Paducah, KY where we called the Kentucky Dam Lock  to check on the wait there. Most of the commercial traffic goes this way so it was just trying a lucky shot if we could cut a few miles off our route. Not to be, as there was a long wait at Kentucky Lock so we proceeded to the Cumberland River an additional 16 miles to go thru the Barkley Lock.

We exited the Ohio River at 1322 hours and entered the Cumberland River and the 30 miles to the Barkley Lock. The Cumberland River is a narrow and not very scenic river at this end. At the first sharp bend the AIS picked up the barge, Crimson White pushing 10 barges around a very narrow bend. I called him on the radio and asked him what his pleasure would be for passing him. He asked if we would stay back and wait for him to come around the bend before we passed. You don’t argue with a tow and 10 barges, so we waited. Heading up the Cumberland, I was surprised by the current as we were only doing about 6.5 mph. It was going to be close making it to Barkley Lock before dark. 

We arrived at the Barkley Lock as the sun was setting at 1820. The lock is a 57 foot lift to lake level and we exited the lock into pitch black.

Arriving Barkley Lock. This Harbor Lights our companion boat. 

 

Luckily, I had been to Green Turtle Marina on our way up from Texas with the boat. I had the radar at 1/8 mile range looking for markers into the marina, the chart plotter tuned way down, and my ace crew member on the bow with the portable spotlight. We entered the very dark marina and just tied up to the gas dock for the night. A very long day with a little pucker at the end finding the marina in the dark.

Friday Oct. 10, 2014

Little Diversion Channel mm48.8 to Lock # 52 Ohio River

We were up early today for the start of a long day. We departed the Channel at 0725 in the rain and headed out into the Mississippi. It had rained on and off all night and this morning is 56 degrees. The rain let up at 8:15 but would return and continue most of the day.  We were cruising at our normal rpm of 1500 but today we were going 11.2 knots. Smokin’ !! There was less debris in the water today. It makes driving so much easier not having to continually dodge stuff. Today we passed 11 barges and actually had the embarrassment of being passed by one barge on the Ohio.  We reached the Ohio River at 1135 and turned and headed up river. A couple of things about heading up river. The most obvious is that going into the current is a whole new ball game rather than going with the current. Our speed went from 11.2 on the Mississippi (with the current) to 5.9 kts into the Ohio (against the current).  This speed makes for long days without much progress.  The other thing is that the buoys change sides. The Mississippi had red on the left and green on the right (going down river). The Ohio is red buoys on the right and green on the left. You need to remember that to stay in the channel between the correct buoys. The Ohio River is much wider, not as deep and a much cleaner looking green color. They don’t call the Mississippi the big muddy for nothing.
As we finished off the Mighty Mississippi we had a couple of records having to do with tows and the number of barges they were pushing. Today we passed the northbound tows Victory Queen and
Co op Enterprise both pushing 35 barges. That is 5 across and 7 deep up river, I cant imagine the amount of horsepower or the fuel they burn doing this.

Entering the Ohio River. Little foggy.

We heard one tow captain saying that he couldn’t wait to go home tonight as he had been on the boat for 36 days. That’s a long time as they work 24/7.

This is the wall around Cairo, Il. and a gate to get thru it back to town.

We entered the Ohio River at its end mile marker 981 which is the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. We passed the new Olmstead Lock at mm 964 that according to the cruising guide I purchased in 2011 was supposed to be completed by 2013. Guess what, still not done, we followed the channel markers past this lock and dam. We were headed to the next lock # 53. It is a wicket lock, when the water is high they lay down the wickets of the dam and you drive right over it. No stopping, no pass go, just keep heading up river to the next lock, the dreaded Lock 52.
We arrived at the last place to anchor for the night at 1806 hours,  right outside Lock # 52 by Metropolis Illinois. I have never anchored right in the river before. Usually we try to find an island or channel you can hide in out of the current. Not tonight, we are waiting along with about 8 tows and barges to get thru the lock in the morning. They are doing construction and repairs on the lock so they close it at night to work so the tows have to stop also. It will probably be a long wait in the morning.