10/30/14:   Bend Cut-off Anchorage – Demopolis Yacht Basin – 53 NM +  Lock.  After 3 nights of beautiful anchorage we arrived at the Demopolis Yacht Basin. The marina owners have certainly done a great job designing a great marina.

Every body of water has presented unique qualities that have to be considered when traveling. Wind, currents, tides, flood conditions, etc. As we plan on approaching Mobile Bay we are once again checking currents, tides, wind conditions, and predicted wave heights. As we prepared to leave on Tuesday we had a weather window to get tucked into a marina in Mobile Bay. However, the fog Tuesday morning shut down the entire river system in the Demopolis area leaving a Tug inside a lock until the fog lifted. The fog didn’t lift until after 10:00 am. After looking at our small weather window to get to Mobile Bay we decided to wait in Demopolis.

10/24/2014: Barton Ferry Cut-off Anchorage – Cooks Bend Cut-off Anchorage = 57 NM + 2 Locks. The last 3 days on the Tenn-Tom Waterway has been wonderful. We had several people tell us that it is the most boring part of the trip but we have found it to be anything but boring. The scenery has been wonderful, the anchorages quiet & secluded, and the  sunsets/sunrises spectacular. It has been a relaxing trip so far.

  Foggy Mornings Are The Best

The Water Temperature 62 Degrees - Ahhh The Sun!

10/23/14: Owen Cove Anchorage – Barton Ferry Cut-off Anchorage =  50 NM + 5 Locks

Barton Ferry Anchorage - The Leaves Are Turning

10/22/14: Grand Harbor Marina – Owen Cove Anchorage =  44 NM + 2 Locks

Owen Cove Anchorage - View From Bow of Twelve Stones

10/21/14: Florence, Alabama – Counce, Tn – 36 NM.  When we arrive at the marina in Counce, Tn we will be at the entrance to the Tenn-Tom waterway. We will travel 234 statute miles on the Tenn-Tom then onto the Black Warrior-Tombigbee River. Once we are on the Tenn-Tom we will go 470 statute miles & pass through 12 locks (414 ft. difference between Tennessee River & sea level at Mobile) to reach Mobile, Alabama.

When we reach the Tenn-Tom Waterway we will have:

• been on the loop 314 days
• traveled 4069 Nautical Miles / 4682 Statute Miles
• locked through 91 locks

We will cross our wake in Ft. Myers, Florida.

10/10/2014- 10/20/14: Chattanooga, TN. – Florence, Alabama =  181 NM & 4 Locks.

The City of Chattanooga did not disappoint us. The docks were located downtown & once you climbed the 77 steps you were in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. The weather socked us in for 2 extra days so we made the most of it and took in 2 movies at the movie theater about 5 blocks away. 

Leaving Chattanooga we stayed at the Guntersville Marina, excellent choice. When we left the next morning we had a beautiful sunrise. As I often say God paints some amazing pictures.

Sunrise as we left Guntersville Marina.

The next night we anchored out at Jones Creek.  The weather report had predicted 3 knot winds but about 3 hours after we anchored the wind picked up to 15 knots. Although the lake is about ½ mile wide we didn’t experience much fetch so it was a peaceful night.

Entering Jones Creek Anchorage

We arrived at Florence Marina in the middle of the yearly Dragon Race. This is where they pile lots of people into a canoe & race. The marina area was a mad house but we managed to get tied up to the dock. We spent the next two days making provision runs to Sams, Bed Bath & Beyond, Napa, and have Ike groomed. 

Fog At The Lock - Beautiful

Wilson Lock Just Before Florence, Alabama

10/8/2014 – 10/10/2014: Hales Marina – Chattanooga 29 NM

Raccoon Creek Anchorage – Hales Marina – 29 NM + 1 Lock

Alred Marina – Raccoon Creek Anchorage 33NM

We are so glad we decided to take the side trip to Chattanooga. The river is amazingly beautiful & so peaceful. We enjoyed Raccoon Creek anchorage on a full moon night. John & Jill on Endeavor rafted off of us until after dinner than moved to anchor. Three other boats joined us for a quiet night. The next morning we had to wait for the fog to lift before leaving.

Raccoon Creek Anchorage View 

Woke Up To A Foggy Morning

From marker 432.4 to Chattanooga the river is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Tennessee.” While the entire trip on the Tennessee since we left Joe Wheeler has been beautiful this section has the most stunning scenery.

We arrived at the Bluff Docks downtown in Chattanooga & learned that the “Chattanooga Head Race” would be held on Saturday. This is a rowing regatta with over 1000 rowers. We sat out on the front of the boat and watched the event.

10/7/14: Ditto Marina – Alred Marina (Guntersville) 22NM & 1 Lock. It was a short day which equates to laundry, filling up with water, & a nap. Steve & Sheli aboard Pura Vida were at a nearby marina so we used the marina courtesy car and met them for an excellent meal at Top of The River restaurant.

So far the river had been quiet and beautiful making for a relaxing trip.

Calm Water & Mountain View

Morning View

Tomorrow we continue our upriver trip heading to Chattanooga.

10/6/14:Joe Wheeler Marina – Ditto Marina 48 NM.  We had planned on anchoring out at Indian Creek however the anchorage was not as posted on Active Captain so we had to head further upriver to the Ditto Marina. This was a good stop. A protected marina with large floating docks. Local pizza place delivers right to the boat.

Beautiful Bird Along The River

10/4/14: Florence Marina  - Joe Wheeler State Park/Marina 18NM & 2 locks. Before we threw off the lines at the marina we called the Wilson Lock for a status. The Lockmaster said there was a tug coming but if we could beat hit he would lock us first. Endeavor, Pura Vida, & us threw the lines off and raced to the lock. We beat the tug and it was a fast pass through the lock.

Twelve Stones Locking 

At next lock, Joe Wheeler lock, we had to tie up to the wall while a big ship locked through.

Water from the Joe Wheeler lock is released into a pool located beside the lock. 

We arrived at Joe Wheeler Marina early in the day and that afternoon Johns wife, Jill arrived to join him for the trip to Chattanooga. Weather kept us at Joe Wheeler a day longer than expected.

Ike enjoying Joe Wheeler 

10/2/14: Rock Pile Anchorage – Florence Marina 24NM. We stopped at the Florence Marina just before the Wilson Lock. GREAT STOP floating docks & courtesy car. We were able to go to Cracker Barrel, Krispy Kreme, & Texas Roadhouse. There is a Sams club, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc. all nearby with the courtesy car. Pura Vida was there when we arrived. We stayed for two days then headed out for Joe Wheeler.

10/1/14: Swallow Bluff Anchorage – Rock Pile Anchorage 52 NM & 1 Lock.  It was a great day on the water. The Pickwick Lock was one of the largest we have ever been in. At the river fork we said goodbye to Attitude Changer & Miss Hadley as they headed to a marina. We are continuing on towards Chattanooga.

The weather is going to be bad starting tomorrow night & through Friday so tomorrow we head for a safe harbor marina. We hope to make it to Joe Wheeler but there are 2 very busy locks between here and there so that will dictate how far we can go.

9/30/14: Birdsong Creek Anchorage – Swallow Bluff Anchorage 57NM. The anchorage proved to be everything Active Captain said it would be. The anchorage is behind Swallow Bluff Island with 18+ feet of water and plenty of swing room for all 4 boats.

 Endeavor, Miss Hadley, Attitude Changer, & Twelve Stones.

This is our 3^rd night on anchor and we are enjoying sleeping with the windows open & listening to the sounds of Mother Nature. Not to mention the amazing sunrises & sunsets you see on anchor.

Sunset Swallow Bluff Island Anchorage

Russ enjoying the view at Swallow Bluff Island Anchorage

Often the mornings on the river are foggy. Makes for a beautiful picture.

Tomorrow Miss Hadley & Attitude Changer leave us and head for Aqua Marina on the Tennessee- Tombigbee Waterway. Twelve Stones & Endeavor continue on the Tennessee River headed for a side trip to Chattanooga. After Chattanooga we come back to the Tombigbee reunite with Miss Hadley and continue towards Mobile, Alabama.

9/29/14: Panther Bay Anchorage – Birdsong Creek Anchorage 38NM.  It was another beautiful & relaxing day on the Kentucky River. Birdsong Creek Anchorage is right off the main river but fully protected from the river wakes. A peaceful & quiet night on anchor. This is awesome.

 John/Endeavor lowered his dink & was our water taxi over to Attitude Changer for dinner.

Panther Bay Anchorage

Sunrise at Panther Bay Anchorage