Goose Pond to Guntersville AL

October 5, 2015

Monday

Miles traveled 20.8 

Total miles traveled 193.6

Day 23

Knowing it was going to be an easy 20 miles , we took our time this morning. Two more loads of Laundry. We put our truck into storage. We hope to come pick it up sometime in December . But until then, we will no longer have our car handy.

We then fueled the boat and had her waste pumped out.. We are ready to go by 11:30:

It is a beautiful day. 

More wonderful homes

Buster seemed a bit bored by it all.

I think I woke him up.

We made it to the free dock in Guntersville. No electric or water but a very nice floating dock, that's easy to get Buster to shore to take care of his business.

The entrance is about 18' and here at the slip it's 9'. There is ample room to maneuver and nicely protected from west, south or north winds.  No winds at all tonight.

There is one other boat tied up but nobody is aboard and there's a For Sale sign on her. I'm guessing this marina could easily hold as many as 7-10 boats... Depends on their size .

On the outside wall , there were HUGE cleats.  Buster was impressed!

Where we are docked is a close walk into this cute little downtown area of Guntersville Alabama .

Many cute little shops.

But make note: much is closed on Sunday and Monday.

This is The  Spanish Bed&Breakfast. 

Kala's Cottage.. Gifts and wine.. Great combo!

Goôse Pond Colony Marina

October 2,3,4, 2015
Thursday , Friday, Saturday , Sunday
Miles Traveled 0
Total miles traveled 86.4

Day 3,4,5,

It's been cold and wet these last many days here at Goose Pond. We made the most of our time here on the  transient dock.. Phil had project each day and also a little time to relax too. I got a bug to reorganize drawers and closets . I don't get that bug too often so I ran with it.

This time was also ideal to run errands since we still have our truck to get around . Trips to Wal-Mart, Home Depot , and even down to Guntersville to Publix. 

This was a good time to get out the fall decorations .

Also a few Halloween decorations too.

Buster was a bit unsure about the crow at the helm. He's adjusting .. Brave boy.

Here's a rare sight.. Phil isn't too crazy about heights.. But here he is up an extended ladder installing a TV antenna .

Thank goodness the waters were calm and no rocking..

We went by our old slip in hopes to run into a few friends on their boats.. No one there on Saturday 😥.. It really was lousy weather and not boat friendly.

But lucky us... On Sunday, the skies cleared up and friends returned to the marina and we got to spend time with Mike and Tina.. And Kevin and Penny.

Boating folks are wonderful.. 

Laundry day

October 1,2015

Thursday 

Miles traveled 0

Total miles traveled 86.4

Day 3

Not the best day for photos... A day filled with drizzle but ideal for getting caught up with tons of laundry.

11-loads and a kazillion quarters! But it's done!! Beds made and clean towel and clothes put away.

Nickajack to Goose Pond, Scottsboro, AL

September 30,2015

Wedsnday 

Miles traveled 48.3

Total miles traveled 172.8

One lock

Day 18

It was a great night and we both slept well. Phil's up at his early time. Coffee aroma  wakes me up, Buster gets his walk and we hear the anchored boat hailing the lock manager. We untie lines to join in the early opening of the lock. Perfect... Canadian geese are getting an early start too.

The lock manager opens his gates, blasts his horn and the green light is on.. We enter the lock.

Right behind us is the boat we saw last night anchored out. This yacht is 70' long and looks like something out of James Bond.. 

Her name is Miss Rachell II  out of Destin Fl.. Sweet!!!!

We secure our boat to the bollard and drop about 30 feet. The gates open and slowly we exit the lock.

Down river we see some not so nice home... Yet they have a great location and living their dream!

We get another eagle sighting. I wasn't able to get a good photo of this majestic bird.

Fall colors are just beginning to change.. This river will be glorious in about four weeks.

Trains traveling today too.

Tugs busy too

95%of the river is all natural but there are a few industrial businesses too.

Nucular power plant in the distance.

It's a beautiful wooded area .

Buster barked when he discover a stowaway on board!

A little butterfly rode with us for about an hour.

We arrived to Goose Pond to a bit of Excitement!!! On dock 4, this boat sank to the bottom over night.. Good thing he was in shallow water..4'

The owner was unavailable.. I'm sure there's an interesting story behind this sad sinking.

Boat US had her out of the water within a couple of hours.

Several other "loopers" are at the docks and we were invited on Hallelujah for "docktails" and we met up with California Lady and Sea Jamm.   Nice folks and a lot to learn from their travels.. Most of us will be spending the next few days here in Scottsboro with errands to run or projects to do.

Southbound.. Chattanooga to Nickajack

September 29, 2015

Tuesday 

Miles Traveled 38.1

Total miles 124.5

Day 17

We said our goodbyes yesterday to the kids, friends on the dock and to Jill and Marty at Irwin Marine. We were told with "Wine over Water" happening next weekend the slips were full.. That's ok we are ready to get moving.. They did warn us about storms.. We checked our sources and felt comfortable about leaving.. 

We got an early start to our day. The water was still, the winds calm, it was misty and there was a low fog, but not at water level. The temperature was warm enough for shorts and Tshirts but a windbreaker was nice now and again.

Baylor Campus ,with the low fog, still looks amazing.

Buster was on watch duty for any logs floating in the river.

Our visibility was clear.

And it's interesting to see the nice homes along the way.. This one was intriguing, with its observation tower. 

This house looked pretty nice too!

Buster likes to hang out an keep watch.. Good boy Buster!

Every now and again, I take the wheel and give Phil a chance to relax and walk around.. We both wear headsets to be able to hear each other when one or the other is away from the helm..

For a small stretch of our day we got some rain. It's nice having the option to navigate the boat from the inside helm. I'm not sure why Buster thinks he needs to be first mate.. I think he's in my seat!

We had almost no traffic all day. I think this guy was the only boat we passed .. And Thank goodness it was at a wide area of the river .. No problems... This could get trickier furture down the way.

The clouds are rolling in, and we're about to reach our destination for the day.

We tied our lines , walked Buster, and began fixing dinner, when the skies opened up.

The rains came as I washed the dishes. We were safe and dry.

It was a short calm shower , followed by a welcoming rainbow.

It's was a great first day! We even saw our first eagle sighting today. 

We are a short distance to the Nickajack lock, and a big boat just came by and anchored close to the lock.