392m Across, 400′ Down

We are still going downriver on the Tennessee. We didn’t stop to see much on the way, but this is what we accomplished.

Terrace View Marina –> Chattanooga…we left at daybreak. We were going to stop at Shady Grove Marina, but decided to take the “risk” and motor all the way to Chattanooga. We traversed 2 locks: Watts Bar (59ft) and Chickamauga (48ft). We were very fortunate that our wait at both of these locks was very, very short which enabled us to arrive in Chattanooga (81miles) before nightfall. We tied up at the Erwin Marina which is right on the river in the downtown area. The next day was sunny, but cold. We walked down to the Harbor Host’s house and picked up our packages that they so graciously allowed us to send to their home. We ate at the Mayan restaurant in town–their Flan (a Brazilian dessert) is really good. Pivot, a fellow looper boat, arrived at the marina. Dinner with the Tate’s at an Italian restaurant. Again they showed us some of the history of the area–memorials for the Trail of Tears. Almost forgot, we toured the Medal of Honor memorial museum that honors those who have gone above and beyond in battle. I am very thankful for these very brave men and women, many who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

The next day was a very rainy and cold day, so we decided to hang out in Chattanooga and do lots of reading.

Wednesday we were up early, fueled up, pumped out and filled our water tank and were on our way downriver to Hales Bar Marina (29miles). This Marina was a dismantled lock and not in very good repair. But we enjoyed a long walk 1+ mile to a local cajun restaurant (we were the only customers as it was in the afternoon). We even were able to get a load of laundry done as you never know when the next opportunity may come.

Thursday, we headed out early again. Hales Bar to Guntersville City Harbor (62 miles). We only had to deal with one lock, Nickajack (40ft) and it was open for us upon arrival. The nights get really cold right now, but we were going to brave the night for use of the free dock. We ate at a local brewery and to my surprise they had “homemade” tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich on the menu. Sure was good on a cold night.

Friday, we headed out at daybreak headed to Joe Wheeler Marina (69 miles). This was the location of our first looper rendezvous in 2019. We traversed Guntersville Lock (40ft) with little delay but had to wait for a train bridge in Decatur while a train roared over the bridge. The train bridge was only 10feet above the river, so definitely a good thing we waited for the bridge tender to raise the railway bridge after the train went by. While at Joe Wheeler we saw our first deer swimming across the river.

Saturday morning we called the lock master to check on commercial traffic. Much to our surprise, he stated we were the only boat in the area looking to use the lock. Again we were thankful for little delay on this lock, Joe Wheeler lock (48ft). Only one more lock before we reach Florence Harbor Marina. But between us and the marina was Wilson Lock. This lock has a reputation for making boaters wait hours because of the commercial traffic. But again we were fortunate and thankful that our wait was very minimal and we went thru Wilson lock (93ft) without incident. We arrived at Florence Marina after 2 locks and 18 miles on the river that day.

We had dinner with fellow loopers on Stardust who we first met in Racine, Wisconsin. It was fun to share our stories, challenges, victories and all that looping entails.

So now we plan to spend a couple days on boat projects before heading to TVR/Brianna for Thanksgiving. Ironically the GPS is routing us back through Huntsville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville to get to Bri’s Place in Plumtree, NC. We will be working on the farm & camp for a week then head back to Florence to continue our journey down the Tenn-Tom waterway and ultimately into the panhandle of Florida. Hopefully it will be warmer there.