Goose Pond to Nickajack

Day 1...48 miles.. 7 1/2 hours. 1 lock

What a beautiful day!! Skies were clear, the humidity was low and the winds calm. We couldn't ask for s nicer first day..

This part of the Tennessee River has very little development. We only saw a handful of homes, one paper mill and about 5 or 6 bridges. Very little traffic today, only one boat passed us going south, and a dozen or two fishing boats quietly hugging the shoreline.

It started out a bit on the cool side. But the day just got better.

Buster at his post.

One of the many bridges.. All tall enough to fit under with ease.

Old Glory and her friendly friend ( thanks Kelly Massengale Pierce) flying in the breeze.

Just beautiful shoreline.

Cool railroad bridge.

Buster checking out this tug.

Time to put on our life jackets and prepare for our first TVA Lock at the Nickajack Dam.

We had an hour and a half wait as a barge/tug had a double load.. 9 containers then 6. Then it was our turn:)

Phil at the Ballard to ride the wall UP🔺

🔺we probably went up about 20-25 feet. Then they slowly open the gates

Then they blast their horn and bid us a good day!

7 1/2 hours later we are tied up to the free dock at Shellmond Park in Tennessee waters. 

Buster had a great day!

Now he's happy to find a patch of grass.

Night all.. Sorry this didn't get posted last  night.. Internet connection just wasn't happening..

Owasso Oklahoma trip

Knowing that right now we are the closest we will be for quite sometime, we drove 11 hours to spend this long weekend with our daughter Crystal , son in law Casey and our oldest grandson Colton.. It was a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

Their home is warm and inviting..

Our meals were fun and tasty. Coltons choice for breakfast..

Great choice Colton!!

Papa was happy to go to the Cigar store.

Thank you Crystal for taking us there.. We are now supplied for our up coming trip.

Games were played.. This one is quite unique... Doggie Do!! And YES.. The doggie does.. Very funny!!

Colton making his Minon..

Evening walk around the neighborhood with the pups.. Many homes completed and several under construction..

We did some shoe shopping!! Cute slip on Converse sneakers..celebrated with wine one evening..

Loving me some Crystal time under their new pergola!!!

Evening under the pergola!!! It looks awesome Casey!! Great Job!!! Did I mention.. My son in law is very talented!!

So much to learn.. Step by step

We have met so many great folks each place we have stopped. Danny and Susan have shared so much with us and it was a real delight to spend time with them these last couple of weeks. They are a long way from their home in Thunder Bay , Brithish Columbia, Canada.. And before they set sail this morning, wouldn't cha know.... A flock of Canadian geese flew over head.. Safe travels..

Thank you!

They are on their way.. A few weeks ahead of us, yet decades ahead with their experience.

This little gem was shared and will be used quite often.. Not only on our boat but also on the camper.. I would even suggest it for home.. We picked this up at Wal-Mart for $18.88    

Easy storage -easy use and very portable ( I store the canister separately)

Danny and Phil quite involved with projects. All they shared will make our life aboard so much more efficient... Again Thank you.. We look forward to following your journey and we look forward to another marina where we are tied up together again.

Preparations continue

It has been a busy couple of weeks. Phil has been researching, ordering parts and installing various necessities. Some quite complicated involving batteries,AC/DC, inverters, watts, volts and stuff. 

Other projects not so complicated, like the slats on the swim ladder. A few more coats of varnish was added to each step.

Also checking the length of chain. We were told we had 200 feet, but always best to check.  He marked the chain at 50,75,100,125,150,175 for easy knowledge of its length when deploying into anchorage sites.

The wash down faucet was replaced and now working quite well. Having this feature is really quite nice.

Out with the old and nonfunctional electronics ..

And in with the new..

The floor boards have been moved for access to the bilge. 

Projects from the top to her bottom.

Goose Pond Colony Marina/ Campground in Scottsboro Alabama on the Tennessee River

Knot Yet has been here at Goose Pond for six month. The first two months she was hauled out and stored undercover, she had her "blisters" fixed and her bottom painted. Joe King, at Anglers Marine, was extremely fair and knowledgeable. His team did a great job and by May she was ready for us to live aboard once again. There is a campground on the property and it too was quite convenient and it has some really scenic spots along the water.. Nestled between the campground and marina is a golf course. What more could we ask for.. Just perfect.

There are many amenities here. A top notch marine repair, fuel dock, 

Boat storage

Haul out service, bath house, laundry, courtesy van, pool, restaurant , bait shop & snack shack, golf, camping and covered slips

Oh my, at first I didn't think much about the covered slips.. We have never had them before.. But what a difference!!! Almost 15 degrees cooler under their shade. And the heat of summer was much easier to endure. Protection from the rain was also nice with all the outside projects Phil had to do.

Oh yes, there's also an amphitheater and walking trail, cottages and small lodge.

Safety First✔️

United States Coast Guard vessel safety check (VSC). Always good to know that we comply with all the rules and regulations for our own safety and to avoid any fines that might follow if we aren't in compliance. 

Yesterday we invited the Coast Guard on board to find out what is needed before we "set sail" . It was an easy yet informative visit. Only one adjustment was needed and we passed with flying colors.. 

Even Buster showed off his new life jacket🐾⚓️