Thursday

We beat feet up the river in leisurly fashion from Chattonogga this morning. We had to get gas in the morning and Deb made a magnicifent approach to the dock. The spectators said it was the best they had seen all week!!! We fueled up (don't ask) and then had to go back upstream 2 miles before escaping the shoals and hitting the main channel. This was perhaps the prettiest 35 miles of the trip. great deep canyons - passed the Tenneesee Aquairum boat twice. Really nice. However, all good things come to an end. We waited 3+ hours to lock up at Watts Barr., Got a hook down which held well and waited patiently. Caught up on emails. Finally got through and put the hammer down. 20 MPH to Blue Springs after spending the morning at 6 MPH. Nice resort here - bought gas, ice and water. Plugged in and have the air conditioner on full tilt. Shoving off at 7:00 am to go the last 100 miles. Dogs are doing really well. Tonight is a three bottle night...........

Crossed the TN border

These pics were taken between the Nickajack and Chickamauga locks....well known to be the most beautiful part of the TN river. Very narrow, windy, and DEEP (over 100 ft at times - which was kinda scary), and surrounded by the gorgeous mountainous scenery. This st rectch cluminates in Chattanooga, where we had over a 2 hour wait at the Chickamauga lock, which consists of only one short chamber. Unfortortunately we arrived right after they began breaking a downbound barge apart for passage. Fortunately, though, there was a beautiful park with a dock that we could tie up to and wait. (

Fighting our way upstream

During the last couple days, we've felt the effects of the torrential rains this area has endured. Travelling through northern AL and southern TN, the currents have been horrendous! Not to mention the debris. Luckily we were not delayed at all when locking up. (probably because we were the only idiots to be out on the river..) Needless to say our gas mileage has been affected. I told Tim I don't even want to know what we're getting. At times the river was flowing 5 MPH. If only we were travelling DOWNstream!

Good pics of tall lock

Day Nine - Outrunning the storm

We left Pickwick right at sunrise. Cloudy and overcast with a slight drizzle. After a few anxious moments we sorted out the bouys (OK - Deb did) and got on the Tennessee. After making only 50 miles yesterday and Deb wanting to be in Knoxville Thursday night for her grandchild's birthday party, we hit it hard. We drove about 17 MPH for a couple of hours and then the rain caught us. Deb ran the radar and I drove. Passed a few commercial vessels headed in both directions and ran with all the canvas down with little visibility. The radar was fantastic. Got up to the lock system at Wilson Lock and dam. Took great pics - the small lock was a two step while the big one was 100' lift. Awesome. Then just 15 miles later we locked again at Wheeler. Just a couple of miles later we stoped for fuel at Wheeler State Resort. This is run by the state of Al. Well worth coming back. SUper place and people. The marina was closed but there was a phone number to call for help and the lady who helped us fuel was great. 35 miles more and we're up a little unused canal off the river at about 321.

More photos - Sun

Check out the wild goats in the middle picture. In the red shirt is our fearless navigator trying to find out where the heck we are.

Sunday

Sunday was challanging...

The weather was really difficult. We had thunderstorms chasing us up the Tennessee all day. As we approached Pickwick lock and dam the current was really strong. The boat was working hard to make progress against the current. Then the storm caught us just as we entered the lock. Totally soaked locking up and the lightning and thunder was impressive. In a very timid voice we told the lockmaster that we were in no hurry to leave. She laughed and after opening the upper gates told us to stay as long as we wanted. As the rain abated we finally ventured out. We found Pickwick State Marina, where Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama all come together. We bought fuel there and wound up spending the night at this very nice marina. Beautiful sky as well, and the Harbormaster's wife drove Deb to a local grocery store to get some steaks. Really nice ending to an 'interesting' day.