Welcome to Kentucky Lake
At 184 miles Kentucky Lake is the longest of the Tennessee River's 9 lakes. Thanks to eight locks we're now 455' lower than we were in Knoxville. Now there's only one lock between us and the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
Shilo: Nellies Goes Where U.S. Grant had Gone Before
Here's Where Nellie is Tonight
The Narrow Marsh Creek Anchorage
On a bow and stern hook in Marsh Creek, Tennessee, MM138. 69 miles today and 2676 miles for the Journey. DBH
A Walk in the Pickwick Park
At 11am this morning we crossed our wake at the mouth of the Tenn-Tom Waterway. A month ago, at this very spot, we made a righthand turn off the Tenn-Tom and went up the Tennessee. Now, 800 miles later, we've been to Knoxville and back. In the process the Tennessee has become one our favorite cruising grounds.
Relaxing with a View
Tomorrow we'll leave the Tenn-Tom in our wake as we continue down the Tennessee.
It was a whole 13 miles to Pickwick State Park, Tennessee. Bicki was at the helm so nothing exciting (groundings, collisions, etc.) happened. The total for the journey is now 2608 miles. DBH
Kyle swallowed the anchor in Florence, Alabama. Up to that point he'd been the captain of a replica of Columbus' Niña. Twice he'd taken her through the Panama Canal. Enroute they visited the US west coast, east coast, Caribbean and inland rivers. But it was in Florence that he fell prey to the irresistible sound of the siren. When I kidded him about it he said, "There was a woman involved." There usually is. Good thing Bicki lashed me to the mast for we too might have swallowed the anchor in Florence.
Bathroom Door Ornamentation, Florence Marina
Dumpster in the Middle of the Florence Waterfront Park
View from the River Bottom Grille Restaurant
I Can See Three States from Here!
Bicki and I trade off helm duty. It was my turn to bring Nellie into the anchorage at Union Hollow, MM222. I was alone in the pilothouse as Bicki had gone forward to ready the ground tackle. With no input from the helm Nellie came to an abrupt stop. Hmm, the chart indicated 6', but the lack of motion meant we were aground. What immediately went through my mind was, how can I blame this on Bicki ... ;-)
Reflexion of the Real World
Once Nellie was extricated from the mud we hightailed it out of Union Hollow. Besides being just a wee bit shallow, it was open to the developing thunderstorms.
John William 37VT68's mast found a lightening bolt this Spring. The big loser in the chance encounter, other than the mast which exploded, was all the electronics aboard. Call us cowards, but Nellie's mast is down as we hear thunder rumbling in the distance.
On the hook and in the rain in J.P. Coleman State Park, MM220. I'm happy to report that Bicki didn't go aground this time (but only because I insisted we anchor in 18' of water). A total of 37 miles, and two anchoring attempts, brings the journey's total to 2,595 miles. DBH
The Shoals, named for Muscle Shoals, encompases Florence, Alabama, and its three neighboring cities. Together they are the La Brea Tar Pits of cruising--many crews come here but few escape. I have heard the siren song and it is strong. But we have taken precautions; Bicki lashed me to the mast. She will not untie me, despite my protestations, until tomorrow when we are safely away from these seductive shores.
Still in Florence, Alabama. No miles today and holding at 2558 miles. DBH
Cyprus Creek
Carol and Ron Beberniss and Bicki Prepare to Launch
Floating Downstream
Bicki and Carol Prepare to Lunch (with Wine)
Life at a Cruiser's Pace
We had seven placid and serene miles on Cyprus Creek, near Florence, Alabama today. Nellie, however, didn't move an inch and remains at 2558 miles. DBH
Incredibly Calm Lake Approaching Wheeler Lock
These great blue herons are smarter than I originally thought ;-) The locks have many recesses that become small pools when the water level drops. One wiley heron was going from pool to pool and gorging himself on the hapless minnows.
95' Down in Wilson Lock
I timed our 95' descent in Wilson Lock and determined that water is flowing out of the lock at 100,000 gal/sec and a total of 47,000,000 gallons were released. That's a lot of water!
Joe Wheeler Park to Florence
It was 21 miles from Joe Wheeler State Park, going through two locks, to get to Florence, Alabama. Total for the Journey is 2558 miles. DBH
We only saw one working boat yesterday, it was Addi Belle. She was pushing six barges Clearly her Captain had pissed-off someone at HQ. Why else would he be working on Memorial Day; and a day when the river was guaranteed to be wall-to-wall with rec boats? Whatever the Captain's transgression, the punishment was clearly taking its toll. At a particularly congested section of the river we heard Addi Belle make this forlorn radio call: "If anyone's listening I'm desperately trying to go upriver." Normally tugs state their intentions and everyone gets out of the way. Clearly Memorial Day is anything but a normal day.
A Very Broad Lake Wheeler
What a difference a day makes. Today we, and I'm sure Addi Belle, are all alone on the river.
Lodge and Docks at Joe Wheeler
Joe Wheeler Anchorage (Looking South)
It was 33 miles to the anchorage in Joe Wheeler (a Confederate major general) State Park, Alabama. We're now 2537 miles into the journey. DBH
