Oct 7th - Oct 19th : Tennessee River to Chattanooga and back

Since the last post, we have traveled up the Tennessee River to Chattanooga where we were joined by Teresa's mom for a week visit.  We spent four wonderful days exploring Chattanooga and the surrounding area.  We are now headed back toward the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway to continue our trip toward Mobile, AL.


This side trip has been great.  Travelling to Chattanooga, we traversed four locks which raised us a total of 220 feet to the highest elevation above sea level we have had on the trip.  Most of the trip has been through northern Alabama with the last day (about 30 miles) in the state of Tennessee.  The river, dams, locks, and a lot of the land bordering the river is owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).  TVA uses the dams and locks to control the water level during the spring rains and to generated electrical power.  The views have been spectacular, with the leaves changing color.  We probably missed the peak colors by week or two, but the leaves have still been beautiful.  The city of Chattanooga was a terrific stop, with world class attractions, a free public transportation system, fine dining, great pubs, etc.  You get the idea.
    
During our trip we met a group of boaters from Decatur, AL with whom we had the opportunity to spend a fun-filled weekend.  See their pictures below.
    
We will say good-bye to Teresa's mom this coming Friday (the 21st) and proceed with our travel down toward Mobile.  Right now we are looking to be in the Florida panhandle about a month from now.

Our first stop was Florence, AL which had a bass tournament the
morning we were leaving.  Over 100 boats started prior to these.

This is the Wilson Lock.  With a lift of 93 feet, it is the tallest
lift we will experience on the trip

Turbulence while they are filling the lock

This tow was waiting at the top of the lock to lock down.
A little tight passing him on our way out.

At the top of the lock, the depth beneath GREAT ESCAPE
was 128 feet

A nice little cottage along the river

At the Wheeler Lock, when the lock emptied the water
went into this "diffuser" which looked like a huge water fountain

Tug ADDI BELLE was ahead of us going into the Wheeler Lock

Our next stop was Joe Wheeler State Park which was a beautiful location. While there we were adopted by three other boats
who operated out of Decatur, Al. 

Jan Clemons, JoAnn Hyde, John Clemons, Joe Backe and Don

JoAnn Hyde, Jan Clemons, Joe and Kathy Backe

This is the Brown's Ferry Nuclear generating plant, operated
by the TVA.  When it was built in1974,
it was the 4th largest in the world

Scenery along the river 

Although it may be hard to read, this is a Gray Bat Sanctuary.  During the Summer, 20 to 40 THOUSAND bats live and roam out of this cave.  Since they are a threatened species, the cave is fenced off to keep people out

Passing under a bridge when they were in the process of lifting
steel support beams for another span.  Obviously, NO WAKE

Getting close to Chattanooga, the river runs through a narrow gorge.
This morning the hills were shrouded by the clouds

Another little cottage

The SOUTHERN BELLE, which operated out of the Chattanooga waterfront

Teresa's mom Bailey arrives at the Nashville airport for a week visit

GREAT ESCAPE at the Chattanooga waterfront

One attraction we took in was the Lookout Mountain inclined
railway.  This is from the bottom looking toward the summit

The rail house at the top

On a clear day you can see forever at the top of Lookout Mountain

The rail car approaching the top

This gives a perspective of the steepness of the rail at the top -
approaching 76 degrees

Lookout Mountain was the sight of a civil war battle during which
 there were 34,000 killed or wounded.  This memorial in the park, is the only one of its kind with a Union and a Confederate soldier shaking hands

Pathways through the park.  Can you imagine fighting a battle here?

Views of the Tennessee River from the top of Lookout Mountain

This boat pulled into the pier when the wind was blowing
a little and got cross-ways in the small canal.
Not what he had in mind for a landing.

As new grandparents, we have been dubbed Papa Don and T-Bone.  Who ever thought we'd actually find a place by this name!

Another Chattanooga attraction was Ruby Falls, a cave system
 within Lookout Mountain with a spectacular waterfall named after the
 discover's wife, Ruby

Many of the rock formations resembled a more common item

This is to prove that Bailey actually went underground into
the cave with us.  She is in the striped blouse in the background

Ruby Falls (Bailey is right of center in blue going behind the falls)

Taking a short break.  It was almost a mile walk through the cave

Two beauties with a beauty in the background

We think Shipmate has a new allegiance

Fall colors

This guy was swimming across the river 

No fish today (peanut butter for dinner).  Temperature was near 80.  Two days later it the temperature did not break 50.