Grand Harbor Oct 25-27

We left Joe Wheeler this morning with a bunch of other boats.  An earlier group went together at sunrise.  We decided to take our time and leave after we did a pump-out (holding tank).  Bob (on Betty L) wasn't feeling real well and were not sure if they were going to stay until later in the day.  Bob got to feeling better and we left with them and a few other boats. We all got to the Wheeler lock and locked down together.  We pretty much stayed together until after Wilson Lock where most of the boats turned into the harbor at Florence, Al. 

By now, Bob was feeling much better and thought he might live after all, so we continued on to an anchorage halfway to Grand Harbor, our next marina destination.

The anchorage was at a place called the rock pile.  There were 3 large piles of rocks just off of the channel.  We arrived before Betty L and went in and anchored.  I took the required Dinghy ride and was taking pictures when Betty L arrived.

Betty L arriving

The water was very calm and the lighting was perfect to get the reflection of the boat and the trees.

Beautiful calm water.

On the way to Grand Harbor the engine synchronizer quit again.  Before, it wouldn't engage and I found the bracket on the starboard engine had come off.  After I reconnected it, it worked fine.  This time, when I engaged the synchronizer, the port engine would start to speed up and kept speeding up until I disengaged it.  If you look at the picture below, you can see a short drive cable from the front of the crankshaft to the 90 degree gear drive.  The cable has square ends on it like a speedometer cable.  One end was slipping, so it kept trying to speed up to catch the port engine.  I swapped ends and put it back in and it works great.  I did get one on order. $20 for a 2 in cable,  worse than buying a part for an airplane!!

 

At Grand Harbor we visited the Shiloh battlefield.  We went with Latitude Adjustment,  Betty L, Jade, and Gemini Dream.  Luckily we had a large van.  One of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War was fought here.  I also wanted to see the National Cemetery.  Someday I hope to be buried in the one in St. Louis.

 

 

 

 

We went out to eat at a Catfish place after we visited Shiloh.  The whole van load.



 

Crews of Jade, Betty L, Gemini Dream, Latitude Adjustment, Bucket List.

 

 

We had a get together on our boat to plan the trip down the Tenn-Tom. There was so many ideas floating around, I finally stopped taking notes and just asked Madeline from Betty L to give me a copy of the final plan.  She did!!

 

 

Sunset at Grand Harbor, Pickwick Lake

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Joe Wheeler Oct 19 - 24

We arrived back at Joe Wheeler with both engines running as they should at least for now.  When we got there, they put us next to a bigger boat that was already there so we had to squeeze in next to them.  The wind was blowing  hard and moving the boats around pretty good.  Since I decided to go in bow first it was easier.  We wanted to let the dinghy down so we couldn't back in.  The next day we look the dinghy down and then turned the boat around so it was facing  bow out.  There was a lot less wind which made backing it up a lot easier than the day before.

 

We  wanted the dinghy off so we could use it to clean the "mustache" off of the front of the boat.  The mustache comes from bow wake discoloring the hull where the river water pushes up against the bow.  It kind of looks like a mustache.  A lot of scrubbing with brushes and toilet bowl cleaner made it go away. 

 

Cindy's Observations: There were 65 boats who motored in for the rendezvous. It is mid October and the lake water is still warm enough for the avid swimmers to take the plunge if desired, the pool however was a bit nippy.  Simultaneous meetings were held daily for 3 days. Various topics such as; minor boat repairs, galley shortcuts, charting routes, anchorages and general information about what the marinas had to offer for your needs up to Norfolk, Virginia.  Lunch and dinners were served buffet style.  An outdoor concert was arranged in Rodgersville for the Loopers entertainment.  A local down home band which we enjoyed a great deal.  There happen to be a town fall festival at the time we were there so we got in town in time to partake in a chili cook off contest and car show.

Bucket List is 5th from left facing the pool.

 

Burgundy top makes it easy to spot.

 

 

Mail Room

 

Denise, Jack and little Beatriz 

Rat Truck

 

Larry's favorite!

Cindy's Observations:  Walking back to our boat during a break I noticed our bicycle fleet was growing.  We had placed our bikes here so we could wash the boat off.  A day later  more joined.  These are our land cruisers, the tan ones, (2011 Walmart specials).  All the Looper mail was brought to this room for pick up.  When we know where we are staying for a period of time we can have mail sent from home.  Little Beatriz is a Looper with her parents on Jade  She lives on board since birth and is home schooled.  She speaks 3 languages.  A very bright bubbly cutie pie.  The Loopers arranged for her to have a trick or treat day.   Plastic spiders were put on dock lines for those who wanted to share her costume party.  She spotted those spiders quickly and the fun began.  Beatriz was a good "grand kid fix" for quite a few loving gmas and papas. 

 

There were a variety of antique cars, classic racers, muscle cars, vets, a few customs and of course everybodys favorite, General Lee. A somewhat restored 1944 pickup was built onto a ford S 10 frame. All items his friends donate, get welded onto the truck. He calls it his "Rat Truck". 

An open house was set up for boaters interested in viewing other boats. Bucket List had a few people considering our style of boat also to do the loop, so a tour we gave them.  Its interesting to view different boat styles and gain ideas about storage and navigation systems they use and of course, decor.  As you can see by the picture we are not in the biggest ship ranking, but we have a very nice "home away from home."

 

 

Chattanooga Oct 7 - Oct 18

After a couple of days at Joe Wheeler State Park we left for Chattanooga. Along the way, we were going to stop at Ditto Landing. Floyd Walpole and his Fiance have their boat there. Floyd and I went to High School together, although Floyd was a couple of years behind me. We did a lot of running around together, roller skating, working on cars, double dating, all kinds of good clean fun.

We left at 8:30 in the morning on Sunday, Oct 7th. It was a cloudy day, with a cold rain falling. I had made arrangements for a Caterpillar dealer to bring me a spare part. When we arrived at Joe Wheeler I found a small coolant leak on the Starboard engine. I called a local Cat dealer in Huntsville, who said that he could order a part and bring it to me at Ditto landing on Monday evening, so I sort of needed to get there.

Betty L left the marina before we did. They travel a little slower and we figured that we would catch them before we got to Ditto landing.

Cindy went through her morning exercise program, wiping down the boat. It has a heavy coat of dew and makes it easier to wipe down.

Cindy's Observations:    There is a lot of boat to keep clean.  While checking out the lobby in the lodge there were  brochures inviting one to see  the attractions of Alabama.  Here are a few  things of interest, Helen Keller was born and grew up in Tuscumbia and there is only one Frank Lloyd Wright (Rosenbau) house built  in the state which is open for tours in Florence.  Huntsville is home to the US Space and Rocket Museum.  Scottsboro has the unclaimed baggage center.

                       Morning exercise routine bending and stretching keeping boat shinny


Shortly after leaving, the port Flo-scan started acting up. The Flo-scan gauge gives me the total fuel burned on the engine as well as the number of gallons per hour that it is burning so I can always tell how much fuel I have remaining. It blinked on and off for a while then went blank. I could see in the background when I shined a flashlight on it that it was still counting. Hopefully I could still get the information that I need from it using a flashlight.

I found out that there is a need to check the charts before you start the day. I plot the course on the plotter, but have not been paying much attention to bridges, etc. Well, we rounded the corner at Decatur, AL and I noticed a bridge that looked a little low. I checked the charts-- 9 FT !!!!!!

Luckily Betty L arrived first and called the bridge to get it open. There was also a down bound tow that called in.  I don't think that the bridge would have opened as soon for us if the other tow was not coming.  Others have told us that the bridge was not boat friendly.

 

 

Cindy's Observations:  Passing under the train track draw bridge there was a definite aroma filling the air.  There were trucks, trailers and  tows unloading at this mill.  Once we passed the grain bins and trees we saw the sign.  Alas, a name for the aroma

We passed Betty L and arrived at Ditto Landing at around 2:00. On the way the Flo-scan warmed up enough to start working. We bought fuel again here. If you buy 100 gallons, you get a free nights stay. We got our free night and decided to stay an additional night. There was a grocery store within 5 miles, so we decided to ride our bikes to the store and get some much needed supplies.  Note the 12 pack of Limearitas.

Cindy's Observations:  The bike trail was a nice blacktop striped path with a pedestrian icon and cycling icon.  Around one bend attached to a trestle was a rear view mirror of sorts for the cyclist on the move.  It lead us along a babbling brook with water fowl.  We reached the Publix grocery store and found some adult beverages, oh yes and food items.
 

 

The Marina at Ditto Landing stores small boats on a rack in heated storage.  They use a gigantic forklift to take the boats in and out.

 

 Cindy's Observations:  This was an interesting sight watching the boat lift bring out a ski boat to the owner for the day.  They call ahead and voila, the boat is dropped at the dock.  When finished the process is reversed.  They even have a cleaning stand for the owner to wash the bottom before it is stacked.  This storage racks holds boats up to 26 ft. no problem.  It is one of few that is heated. So no need to winterize. A plus is the fact that it is less expensive than a slip.  The asphalt path from the lift has severe ruts worn from the barn pad to the boat ramp.

 

 

 

 

 

 We were going to get up early the next morning and head off to Chattanooga.  Well, when we woke up we were greeted with a thick fog.  We waited around until the fog lifted and didn't get away until after 9:30 in the morning. We had wanted to get going around 7:00.

 

 

 

 

We went through 2 locks on the way to Chattanooga.  First was the Guntersville Lock, then the Nickajack Lock.  Because of the late start, we could not stay at the free docks where we had planned to stay.  We ended up staying the first night at Goose Pond Marina.  They had a loaner car that we took into town and went to Walmart and an ABC liquor store.  We had been told that as we socialize (docktails) when we stop for the night, alcohol becomes a "must have".  They also had a restaurant with "all you can eat" catfish.  So we took advantage of that.

 

Goose Pond was in the middle of a bunch of Lilly pads.  They had to dredge a path through the lillys to allow access to the marina.

 

Cindy's Observations:  Fog only looks good when your inside looking out with no place to go!  So we waited for good visibility.  The cliff is called Painted  Bluff for good reason, it showed several earthy colors.  Guntersville lock was one leaky lock.  It was streaming everywhere.  I felt as though we were in Greece.  All that was missing were the little boys (statues).

 

 

 

When we got docked at the Marina, the water was so calm that Cindy got some good pictures of the boat and it's reflections in the water.

 

Cindy's Observations:  Normally Larry takes the boat pics but this was so serene I couldn't resist.  Parked beside a dock was an apparatus that looked similar to a brush hog for clearing out vegetation from the water.  The lilies were thick along with  floating Anacharis plants.  Water temperatures are still pleasant enough to swim.

 

 

With the courtesy car provided we went into town to Walmart for some supplies.  We didn't need much, but we have learned that when you get a chance to get free transportation (cost of gas) you take advantage of it.  We also stopped at an ABC liquor store to get a few things.  I think I have been in more liquor stores in the last month than I have been in in years.  We really are not turning into lushes, but are entertaining more, plus learning a lot of new drinks to make, so we need supplies!!

 

Cindy's Observations:  Our loaner (hoopdi) car had what they call character.  The measles, trim missing from the grill and velour covered seats.  Went to and from with no problems though.  Adult beverages have become a main stay in the grocery list.  Everybody enjoys there docktails.  Larry had the fish at the Goose Pond restaurant and I tried the local flavor, shrimp and grits. 

 

Guntersville lock and Nickajack lock were no problem.  We decided to get to Chattanooga as fast as we could because the dock space was full for Fri and Sat nights.  They were having some type of race on the river and all of the dock space was full.  We figured if we made it  a long day today, we could have a couple of days there and go find a place to anchor for two nights and then come back on Sunday and Monday to finish our sightseeing.

 

Cindy's Observations:  The stretch up the Tennessee to Chattanooga was called the "Grand Canyon" of the Tennessee.  The river runs between the mountains with many twists and turns.  Homes are situated close to the shore with docks at there back door.  I could imagine how lovely a setting during a snowy day or bright spring day with trees in bloom.  You had to look fast to see all the wonders, one creative landowner had a pair of metal art dinosaurs  frolicking on his ground.  There were horses co-mingling with mules, goats and of course birds and fowl.  Just before reaching the end of the canyon, high atop the mountain was a large white multi winged house with 8 enormous glass walls.  Later we found the owner to be the sister to 'Olan Mills' portraits.   Just before reaching the city a tour catamaran appeared before us without warning.  We though we were going to be swamped for sure.  Just that fast he throttled back and came to a dead stop.  His wake looked liked whipped froth behind him.  Wished I could have taken  a picture.

 

 

 

 

The last thing you come to before you get to Chattanooga, is lookout mountain.  It was a very important piece of property during the Civil War.  It overlooks a vast area around Chattanooga into at least 2 states from this side.  Some very important battles were fought here and near here, for control of this vital areas railroads and rivers.

 

We docked on the wall downtown by the Aquarium.  The City owns the dock, but it is managed by Marine Max.  They also control 2 floating docks, one at the Marina and another just up stream of us.  The river level varies up to 2 feet, so we needed to tie up as though there were tides.  Good practice for later on in our trip when we get to the Gulf and beyond.

 

 Cindy's Observations:  If this is practice, I better get some sleeping pills for the gulf.  Thinking about the tide change kept me in a slight state of  horror we were going to get hung on the wall.  And that was only a 2 ft range.  The gulf will be up to an 8ft.range, ugh.  At least we had a great view of the riverfront. 

 

One of our first stops was the Aquarium.  They had both a Saltwater and a fresh water (river) Aquarium.  It took us all day to go through both of them.

  

 

Spotted Rays

 

 

Petting Zoo??

They had a tank with Rays and small Sharks that you could reach in and touch.  The water was really clear and you could see a lot of other fish also.  There were Flounder hidden beneath the sand on the bottom.  Some of them hid better than others.

 

Cindy's Observations:  The spotted rays were really cool.  The shark was a new addition for the aquarium.  In the touch tank the barbs are kept cut on the rays which feel like slimy rubber.

 

Flounder hiding.

 

 

SHARK!!!

The area was full of tropical plants.  I added a few so you can get the idea.  I'm sure Cindy will have a better commentary on them than I.

 

Cindy's Observations:  OK I will.  Of course I'm the plant person so yes there were a lot of interesting tropicals.  Slipper plants and orchids, monster leaf philodendrons, ferns and luscious vegetation.  Not to mention the butterfly house filled with glorious giant and tiny delicate winged creatures.  There was a Madagascar pigeon in the butterfly house along with a bright green lizard.  In order to keep the butterflies in there environment, overhead blowers blast any creature off you that may land upon you before exiting through the double set of doors.  There was also a beautiful blue parrot and a macaw perched amongst the foliage.

 

 

 

There are real Penguins!   They had a big tank for a couple of different species.  They all swam in the same tank, but when they were on land you could see them only getting close to their own kind.  Others were quickly driven away.

 

Cindy's Observations:  It was interesting the way the penguins were tagged with colored identification bands.  The chart showed the color with a name for the critters and also the species of bird.  For every square inch of skin there are 88 feathers.  The jellies look alien like with tentacles hanging far below.  You can swim with piranha and live to tell the tale, here's proof.  In the amazon when the rivers are high, food is plentiful for the piranhas and will not attack humans. 

 

Happy feet 

 

 

 

Piranha!!!

Seahorse 

 

The tongue on this turtle wiggled to attract small fish.  Once the fish entered,  chomp! it had its meal.

 

Next day we rented a car for $9.95 a day and went to Rock City.  Cindy and Pat walked through the self guided tour.  I took a nap. a long nap!!

 

 

Information how to view state borders

 

 Overview of waterfall into basin

 

 These are the seven states flags at the top of the waterfall

 

Lovers Leap at Rock City

 

Point Park on Lookout  Mountain was a Federal Park

 

A recap of the battle of Chattanooga

Gun emplacement over looking Chattanooga

 

Another gun emplacement.

 

Chattanooga from Lookout Mountain

 The reason they would only let us book 2 nights,  is that they had a BIG boat race scheduled for the Saturday that we wanted to stay.  We hurried up and got there on Wednesday so we could stay until Friday morning.  There was a lot to see and only 2 days to see it.  Finally on Thursday evening they said that we could stay on the wall downtown if we moved all of the way up to the end.  So we moved and stayed until Monday morning.  That gave us plenty of time to visit Lookout mountain and a couple of Civil War Battlefields plus a few more places that I'm sure Cindy will tell you about.

 

Cindy's Observations:  We managed to navigate the downtown area by foot and the free shuttle bus to take in the flavor of the downtown area and across to the North Shore district.  Mellow Marshmallow served a hand tossed pizza.  Across the bridge at Aretha Frankensteins we enjoyed a hearty breakfast with cornmeal pancakes the size of dinner plates.  Sticky Fingers had a very good smoked brisket sandwich with the best sweet potato casserole ever.  We drove our rental car to Chattanooga's largest military park on Missionary Ridge to learn about the battle of Chickamauga.  The weekend brought an Oktoberfest complete with polka music.  On the riverfront  a skull head race took up all the waterfront. We had a very relaxing and event filled visit.

 

 

 

Andrew Jackson was here.

Cindy's Observations:  Heading back to Joe Wheeler State Park on the Tennessee river we were informed about this cave were  General Andrew Jackson stored supplies for his soldiers during the Creek Indian War.  It is now under water and no longer visible.  The Daughters of American Revolution have founded this site.

I almost forgot to mention,  our plan on the way back to Joe Wheeler, was to speed through the area that we had already seen and stay the first night at a free dock just above Nickajack Lock.  It was to be a long day, but we started early enough and the current was with us for the first time in a long time.

Well as fate would have it, we were almost to the Guntersville Lock starting to pass under the highway bridge at Guntersville, when the Port engine suddenly shut down.  It wouldn't start for anything.  It would crank but not start.  There is also a free dock at Guntersville, so I headed for that on just the one engine.  The dock was a straight in approach, so we made it with no problem.  Betty L was traveling just behind us and also came into the same dock.

I put my troubleshooting hat on and started to work.  All a Diesel engine  needs to work is fuel and air, no spark required.  I figured the first thing to do was replace the fuel filters and make sure it was getting enough fresh fuel.  That took almost an hour, with draining fuel from the filters and filling them up again.  After priming everything it still wouldn't fire.  Not even try!!

I noticed that when I turned the good engine on, that there was a solid "clunk" that came from the fuel control.  On the bad engine, I did not hear anything.  So with my voltmeter I determined that the good one had 12v on it, and the bad one did not.  I took a jumper wire and put 12v on it from the battery and heard the "clunk", had someone hit the start button and it ran - until I took the wire off and it quit.  No problem,  it so happens that I carry spare wire and switches so I put a switch on it to keep it running.  It was to late to continue, so we decided to stay the night and walked downtown to have dinner with Bob and Madeline from Betty L.   (We celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary)

In the morning, I cycled all of the switches and breakers to the port engine and it worked normally as if nothing ever happened.  I left the switch connected just in case and left it turned off.  The engine operated normally all next day and we made it to the free dock at Nickajack dam.  It only acted up once the next day and I cycled all of the switches and it started and continued to run.  Just what I needed, an intermittent problem, no schematics, and no way to know what is causing the shutdown (low oil, temp, both?). But I can make it run!!!!

Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant

We finally made it to Ditto Landing and met with Floyd and Linda from Tumbleweed.  Linda chauffeured Cindy,  Pat and Madeline (in Floyd's Jaguar) to the Laundromat and Grocery store. Later that evening we had a nice dinner at Outback Steakhouse. We left the next morning for Joe Wheeler and arrived with 2 engines running.  Yea!!  It's all good!

 

Cindy's Observations:  The girls headed out to do chores with style.  Since Linda was a Gold Looper she understood our wants and needs.  What a joy to be chauffeured in a luxurious car with a trunk large enough to hold 9 loads of laundry.  We went back to the boat to put laundry away then proceeded to go grocery shopping at the Publix. Back to boat unload groceries then went after the good stuff, " BOOZE." at the ABC store.  Like Larry says, we are not turning into lushes, but one must keep up.  At dinner we traded looper stories and asked how their wedding plans were progressing.  I repeatedly thanked Linda for her patience and taxi skills for the day on all our behalf.  In a few days we would meet up again at Joe Wheeler State Park.