Sweet Home Alabama

Today we're with lots of other "Loopers" at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville AL for the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous.  My Mom reminded me a few days ago when we were in Florence AL that I would have been born there (across the river in Muscle Shoals) if my parents hadn't moved to Richmond VA that summer...

After the rendezvous we are taking a side trip to Chattanooga TN for a few days, then we'll head back down the Tennessee River about 250 miles so we can continue south towards Mobile AL.

Cliffs along the Tennessee River

The entrance off the Tennessee River to Lick Creek



Limestone formations

Fog and fall colors along the river

A nice spread on the Tennessee River

Diver Dave checked our propellers at the "Rock Pile" anchorage
(with HEADQUARTERS) on the way to Florence AL

Islands in the Tennessee River

Florence Harbor Marina, AL

Anchorages Ahead, Anchorages Behind

Today we're in New Johnsonville TN in Trace Creek off Kentucky Lake (and the Tennessee River).  "Old" Johnsonville was flooded when the Kentucky Dam formed Kentucky Lake in 1945.  Dave and Anna are napping and I'm waiting on laundry to dry...

Kentucky Lake/Tennessee River is absolutely gorgeous with hills and trees changing to fall colors.  People tell us the Tennessee River gets even prettier but I can't imagine how.  We've enjoyed quiet anchorages over the last few days and are looking forward to more ahead!

In the Barkley Canal headed from Barkley Lake to Kentucky
Lake (Cumberland River to Tennessee River)



An island by our anchorage in Ewes Bay, Benton KY

One of the bays along the beautiful Tennessee River

Near our anchorage at Cypress Bay off the Tennessee River

Cypress Bay, October 8

Trees appear to float in the Tennessee River

The narrow channel into Trace Creek off the Tennessee River
in New Johnsonville TN

Pebble Isle Marina, New Johnsonville TN

 

Special Edition - The Captain and The Cat

A week ago we adopted Anna, a four-year-old kitty, from the PetSmart in Paducah KY.  I've really missed having a cat .  Anna is adapting quickly to us and to her new surroundings.  And she is so sweet - she purrs freely and has yet to bare a tooth or claw!  Here she is...

Dave and Anna this morning heading up the Tennessee River
from Big Sandy TN to New Johnsonville TN. 



Anna is pretty relaxed on the back of the helm seat...

I forgot to include this picture of the St. Louis Arch in the
last post!

Tow Jam

This evening we are anchored in Sugar Bay on the east side of Kentucky Lake...  It's been a long time since I posted and a lot has happened!

We spent three days in Alton IL waiting for Chain of Rocks Lock to reopen and allow passage down the Mississippi River.  The lock was closed for five days, and the tows (tugs and barges) were waiting along both sides, above and below the lock.  Let's just say that after 120 miles in the Mississippi, 60 miles up the Ohio River and 35 up the Cumberland River we can confidently discuss with a tow captain whether we'll pass on "one" or "two" whistles.

MAIA spent nine days at Green Turtle Bay Resort in Grand Rivers KY (pay for five get two free plus an extra two days).  While there, Dave replaced the water cooling pump on the port engine, and I took five days to drive to and from Richmond and visit loved ones.

So, on to the photos...

Sunset and shadows from the Port Charles MO marina.

Along the Mississippi south of Alton IL, train tunnels.

Entrance to the Chain of Rocks Canal to the left (dam to the right)

In the Chain of Rocks Canal, these two tows advised us not to
pass between else we might end up an expensive bumper...

Can you believe this tow...

fit in the left lock chamber?

A house perched atop the limestone cliff along the Mississippi.

Hoppie's Marina was simply barges tied to the Mississipi River
bank.

This fisherman took advantage of the low water to create his
own boat ramp.

A quarry along the Mississippi.



Remnants of a wing dam built to control silting in the channel

Fellow Loopers SUNSHINE and TANGO follow MAIA in
the fog after a night tied up at the Kaskaskia Lock.

The fog lifted early.  Good thing since we had a ten hour day
ahead of us.  Due to low water in the Mississippi, many
anchorages were too shallow for us.  At least we didn't have
to worry about running aground like so many tows.

Sunset at our anchorage in the Ohio River below Cumberland
Towhead Island.

The Cumberland River was quite narrow.

SNOW CAT, TANGO and ECHO waiting for us at the
Barkley Lock in KY.

Green Turtle Bay Resort (complete with turtles) off of Barkley
Lake just the other side of the lock.  It's kind of nice to hear
southern accents again.