Where's PaNene?

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Bluff View Marina, Chattanooga

Our plans are to stay here in Chattanooga for the next two week. Time to explore the city, visit with friends and family, go to a few events, have our annual well visit with our doctor, and just enjoy.

Out for a walk with Buster this morning.

There is much to see and do within walking distance from the marina. There are Shuttle Buses, bikes and walking trails all over..

There are shops, theaters, museums, activities, and every kind of restaurants you could hope for close by.

There's a pedestrian bridge with incredible views.

This area of this marina can hold about 10 boats.. We are glad to have this slip for the next couple of weeks.. There is a lot going on at the Riverfront!

Tomorrow there is a concert fundraiser for the military men who were killed here back in July. All this within a five minute walk.. Much we can view from our boat.

The river is used by many folks.. Locals and those passing through.

There are many statues and art pieces along the trails.

What s great looking bed and breakfast!

Many gardens to explore and some where pets are not permitted:(

We discovered this wonderful bakery. And of course couldn't pass up going in and buying a loaf of bread..

Nice door!

So many great places to walk and explore.

This walkway has a see through floor... Phil and Buster were not big fans of this one.

This city knows how to enjoy their waterfront!

Monday, September 14, 2015

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..

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

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!