9/14/17 – 9/20/17: Tennessee River to the Tenn-Tom – headed back to Florida.

9/20/17: Windham Landing Cutoff Anchorage (MM 286.2) – Demopolis Yacht Basin (MM 216) = 70 SM & 1 Lock.

Our plans are to do some basic boat maintenance and restock before heading towards Mobile Bay. Check back for more updates.

Our plans are to do some basic boat maintenance and restock before heading towards Mobile Bay. We pulled Twelve Stones and had a bottom job done. The boat yard is now being managed by Fred (same person who owns the marina). Fred gave us an estimate and a completion. The estimate was true and we got back in the water on the day Fred said we would. EXCELLENT!  We now have two boatyards we recommend, this one and Tom Holland in Green Cove Springs, Florida. 

We are now waiting on clear weather forecast for Mobile Bay before we shove off. 

9/19/17: Blue Bluff Free Docks (MM 358) – Windham Landing Cutoff Anchorage (MM 286.2) = 72 SM & 3 Locks.

Beautiful view on anchor.

While in a Lock two birds put on a show for us and I was able to take pictures. Awesome.

9/16/17: Bay Springs Anchorage (MM 412 Tenn-Tom Waterway) – Blue Bluff Free Docks (MM 358) = 54 SM & 6 Locks

WOW what a day on the river. It was all worth it to be able to dock at the free docks at Blue Bluff. Ike and Jake can run free, we are off the river, and tied up. A nice place to spend a couple of days watching FOOTBALL. Go Gators & Go Kansas City.

9/15/17: Cove Hideout Anchorage (MM 268 Tennessee River) -  Bay Springs Anchorage (MM 412 Tenn-Tom Waterway) = 90 SM & 1 Lock

Today we left the Tennessee River and entered the Tenn-Tom Waterway. So long beautiful Tennessee River , hope to see you again next year.

Sunrise on the Tennessee River leaving Cove Hideout Anchorage

Sunset on the Tenn-Tom Waterway at Bay Springs Anchorage

It will be good to have the current pushing us. We anticipate being able to go far!

9/14/17:  Ditto Marina ( MM 333) – Cove Hideout Anchorage (MM 268) = 65 SM & 1 Lock

As they say, all good things must come to an end. With Hurricane Irma behind us we start our trip back to Florida. The sad part is we leave behind our good friend and cruising buddy John aboard RecRoom. Ditto will be RecRooms forever home since it is so close to Atlanta where John lives. We have traveled thousands of miles together and will miss our boat buddy.

9/7/17 – 9/10/17:

We left Fort Loudon Marina with our focus was to get to Ditto Marina in an attempt to escape Hurricane Irma. We pushed hard and made it to Ditto Marina in just 3 days. Darn Hurricane Irma she turned and came right at us.

9/7/17: Fort Loudon Marina (MM 602.6) – Watts Bar Lock, Abandoned Dock (MM 530) =  73 SM & 1 Lock

Just upstream & outside of the Watts Bar Lock is an abandoned floating dock. When leaving Watts Bar Lock headed upstream turn to port and you will see the docks. We were able to take the dogs to shore, although the locals have used the area as a dump site.

9/8/17: Watts Bar Lock, Abandoned Dock (MM 530) – Williams Island Anchorage (MM456) = 74 SM & 2 Locks

Since we had stayed at Chattanooga on the way up we passed it up on the way downriver. Williams Island Anchorage is off the river and was a peaceful night. Current is strong and will keep you straight.

9/9/17: Williams Island Anchorage (MM456) – Guntersville Free City Docks ( MM358) = 98 SM & 1 Lock

The free floating City docks offered us good shelter from the wind driven waves that had picked up on Guntersville Lake.

We woke up to several Fishermen getting ready for a tournament. It was pretty cool when they opened the Tournament with the playing of the Nation Anthem. 

9/10/17: Guntersville Free City Docks ( MM358) – Ditto Marina (MM333) = 25 SM & 1 Lock

The trip down the river was beautiful.

Ditton Marina: We tied down in anticipation of Hurricane Irma’s projected 50 mph winds. Praising God that if the winds came we did not feel it at Ditto Marina. It was a non-event for us. 

8/22/17 – 9/6/17: Tellico Lake Area & Tennessee River

A minor injury forced us to cut our stay on Tellico Lake short so we returned to Fort Loudon Marina. The Marina is wonderful, great staff, courtesy car, 2 restaurants, and a Tiki Bar.  

Fort Loudon Marina Restaurant and Tiki Bar

Transient Docks are located in the perfect location.

Hurricane Irma’s path was projected to come to us so we decided to throw off the dock lines and head towards Ditto Marina. Our strategy was to get below the 3 small locks that was between us and Chattanooga and go to a good weather shelter marina.

Hurricane Irma