lat 34 34 44, long 86 33 77; fuel 197 gal; eng 445.12
At 8:00 I attended a board meeting for the Canadian Film Centre so we were a little late getting ready to leave. The other three boats were pulling out just around the time that I finished my call, so we rushed to get out of the marina. There was a lock about 15 miles up river and if we missed going through with those three boats it could mean another hour or two before we got through. So I stepped op to 8.5 knts and eventually caught up with them. We went through Guntersville Lock adn Dam with no problem. We are finally getting the hang of these big locks. Tie off at the middle of the boat as tight as possible to the wall and cinch the line to the middle cleat, otherwise you will be drifting all over the place. These locks are completely different from anything you run across on the Trent-Severn - bigger, deeper and more water action inside the lock. You also tie to bollards which float with the water so that is why you tie up as close to the wall as possible otherwise you bow and or stern will start drifting out. Make sure that you have good fenders because they do take a beating. We will probably pick a some more fenders in Chattanooga for the trip back downstream.
After the lock the scenery got really beautiful with hills dropping down into the river and the leaves beginning to change colour. We also saw some replica tall ships of the Pinta an Santa Maria. For those of you who are not up on history they are the ships that Christopher Columbus came to the new world.
We traveled as far as Goose Pond Marina which is a resort with a golf course and restaurant. Unfortunately we will only stay one night since I want to get to Chattanooga, hopefully tomorrow but we will see.
Brenda has gone off to identify trees and shrubbery. If you notice, I am posting this a lot earlier than usual. Problem is, after a few drinks and dinner, I just want to go to bed, so I am doing it earlier than usual.
We traveled as group today - the four boats I mentioned yesterday. This is a nice marina and well worth the stay - cost $ 25 which is pretty good.
Sounds like you two are becoming real boaters...drinking every day! Those locks sound scary...wouldn't want to be responsible for the tie up without watching someelse do it once.
ReplyDeleteYou will like Chattanooga. Very scenic. And lots of historical stuff eg. Civil War