Nickajack to Chattanooga

Day 2, 38.3 miles 5 hours and no locks

What great night!! The stars seemed so close and the temperature was perfect. No need for A/C or heaters.. The inverter worked great so we had what we needed without any noise from the generator. All was very quiet. The water level did rise about 2' but the lines were tied in anticipation of this possibility. We noticed the driftwood level on the beach .

This morning we woke to a heavey fog on the water.. It was pretty cool!! We took our time with coffee , breakfast and Busters walk on the grass.

The hills behind us are hiding.

Great lawn for Buster to  take care of "business".

The fog was moving out.. Time to head north.

Some say this stretch of the Tennessee River is like the Grand Canyon of the East.. Well, I don't think they have ever seen the Grand Canyon.. I just don't see it.. Don't get me wrong!! This stretch is absolutely BEAUTIFUL.. But nothing like the beauty of GC!!! 

Did I mention, that yesterday, I watched a hawk circle, dive to the water, swoop the surface, put its feet in the water and nab a fish.. All about 30 yards from the boat.. It was awesome!! 

Again today, not much traffic.. No other cruisers. 

We did see a tug pushing 12 barges.. Our thoughts went to our nephew Jeremy.

We saw many more homes , cottages , cabins ,Campsite, farms and a few Mega Mansion..

The Baylor Campus is right on the water!! What a great school! Kyle and Paige Elliott both graduated from there!! Our thoughts were with them today.

Beautiful campus

Somewhere along this stretch from Nickajack to Chattanooga there is an area called the "narrows". Rumor has it, boats have been shot at for going too fast and waking the shoreline. They say the residence hate that and they shoot. The picture in our heads of where this is, never came into view... So we don't know where it was.. But the good news is... We heard NO GUN SHOTS!!!  Just a very beautiful areas...by the way.. We saw no" no wake" signs.. 

Lookout Mountain .. We know we are getting close..

Coming into downtown Chattanooga. Boat rides, ball field behind the boat and the Aquarium to the left.

Time to tie up.. 

Wow! Perfect landing ! And we are next to a couple we met a few days back down in Goose Pond!

Security gates.. Nice.

Today's rewards.

It's going to be an early night..zzzz

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.