Tennessee River Continued

Wednesday, September 19^th, Day 128

We rented a car today to go for supplies. We found that because of the September 11^th situation, rental car prices have skyrocketed but we had to have supplies. After shopping, once again it was difficult to find a place on the boat for all the food and supplies. We decided we would treat ourselves because we had a car and we headed to downtown Chattanooga to a supposedly romantic spot called the “Loft”. When we arrived it was closed for remodeling. We then went downtown to a wonderful Italian restaurant called “Altruda’s”. Richard and I met one of the owners, Robert Lacy, who also is part owner of the Altruda’s in Knoxville. He is very involved in all aspects of the Restaurant. Not only did he greet us at the door, but also when we first decided to go to the bar, he mixed our drinks. The restaurant has a wonderfully romantic ambiance with brick walls. One Room had cozy bookshelves filled with books. Dimly lit by candles, we considered the place quite a find. The food was excellent as well. We had a night to write home about.

We then headed back to the boat to get some shuteye.

Thursday, September 20^th, Day 129

I cleaned the boat a little and Richard returned the rental care. We paid our repair bill (ouch), and headed out. We made it to Sale Creek up the river about 30 miles. There is a nice anchorage about 2 miles up the creek. We took the dinghy over to a nice roped off swimming beach and Gypsy found a couple of little guys swimming who were camped near by. They played for a while then we dinghy’d around for a little while longer gunkholing. We are learning that gunkholing in our dingy provides an opportunity to see local nature up close. There are serene views that would not be available to us from our boat.

We had Taco’s on the boat, enjoyed the wonderful evening, and conked out.

We also have been noticing a lot of dead pine trees along the river. Apparently there is a pine beetle at work and there is no prevention. It is sad to see.

Friday, September 21^st, Day 130

Headed out around 10:30 am. It was a nice day. We turned to port up Richland Creek. We went up the creek around 3 miles to the city of Dayton. This city is famous because the Stokes “Monkey trial” was held here in 1925. William Jennings Bryan, who had been a candidate for the U.S. Presidency went against probably the most famous American criminal lawyer, Clarence Darrow. The Rhea county courthouse houses a museum of memorabilia related to the trial.

We made our way very carefully up the 3 miles the channels are narrow and the water outside the channel is a place you don’t want to be. We went past the city launch ramp and dropped an anchor. There were lots of small boats around. We took the dinghy and Richard, Dinghy Dog, and I headed out to do more gunkholing.

We found Little Richland creek. It passes right by the high school football field. Had it been later in the evening, we could have pulled the dinghy up to shore and watched the game from there.

We went back to the city dock and found a small bait store with ice and a few supplies. Richard bought more fishing lures, he’s still sure he’s going to catch dinner one night. We returned to the boat and had prime rib for dinner and watched TV (thank God for digital satellite).

Saturday, September 22^nd, Day 131

We pulled up anchor. There was a large branch and limbs attached to the trip line. After much maneuvering with the boat hook, we were able to get the line free, thank goodness. Trees seem to be the only thing we can catch on this boat.

We headed for the Piney River on Watts Bar Lake. Made it to the Spring City boat dock. There are very nice people there. Bill a retired vet and his wife, Ruth own the marina and restaurant. We went up for dinner around 7. Prime rib was the specialty, but we’d just had that the night before, so Richard went for the catfish and I had a salad. The Catfish was excellent, very flaky and crisp. There was entertainment by a guitar player and we dined outside and had a pleasant evening. The restaurant closes each year after the last weekend in October and opens again in March.

The marina can handle boats to 60 + ft and has 30 and 50 amp service. The slip was $25.00

Sunday, September 23^rd, Day 132

Pulled out around noon. Headed to Euchee marina. Had Bloody Marys for breakfast, and then went to the Lighthouse Restaurant for lunch. I watched football and the captain took a nap. It was a nice cool evening and Gypsy enjoyed the romp on shore.

Monday, September 24^th, Day 133

We woke early to rain and lots of rocking and rolling aboard the boat. Euchee Marina is a fairly unprotected marina and open to lots of wind and boat wakes.

I made a huge pot of vegetable beef soup to simmer all day in the crock-pot.

We were waiting for our mail, which we had forwarded to Euchee but it didn’t come today. Waiting for the mail like this reminds me of the old pony express days when people would wait weeks to get their mail.

We went to the bar which serves beer only, but they will allow you to bring your own into both the bar and restaurant.

The Lighthouse restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but the bar is open. We went back to the boat, ate our nice hot fall-like soup and watched Monday night football.

The marina has a lot of transient slips with 30 and 50-amp power and sell gas and diesel. Slip rate was $28.00.

Tuesday, September 25^th, Day 134

We woke to Jacket and sweatpants weather but I love this time of year. We are still here waiting on our mail. We are having problems with cell phone coverage, no signal.

Gypsy is having great fun cause she found a couple of dogs on the dock to romp with.

Finally our mail did arrive late in the day. We debated about pulling out, but it was cloudy, the water was very choppy and it was too late in the day so we decided to stay another night. I made chicken fajitas and we watched the premier of Frasier.

We also witnessed a beautiful sunset.

Wednesday, September 26^th, Day 135

We pulled out around noon after doing dishes and both showering while still attached to Euchee marina water.

We headed out with plans to anchor at Little Paint Rock creek about 30 miles up river. We instead ended up at Caney Creek in a nice anchorage with horses and a farm on one side and wooded rocky banks on the other. We took the dinghy up Caney creek and we weren’t sure as we went under if Choices would make the clearance of a bridge on the way up. When we arrived at the Caney Creek Marina. We spoke with the owner who told us the clearance was 20 feet. Our boat is 18 feet. So we could have made it. Caney creek is a nice small marina with a small snack bar/grill and a small supply store. It has recently been completely refurbished so it is not yet in the guidebooks. They have 30 and 50-amp power and sell gas. They will lend a courtesy van to travel to one of the 3 towns within a 7-mile radius. We like the look of the place and plan to stay here sometime in the future.

Once more we continued up the creek and Kathy even found a “lighthouse” to photograph.

Thursday, September 27^th, Day 136

We woke to a pretty misty morning with chilly temperatures. We headed out to Fort Loudoun Marina. We managed to lock right through at Fort Loudoun lock. This is one of our favorite marinas on the Tennessee. There is a wonderful restaurant, Calhoun’s. They have very nice laundry facilities with 3 washers and 3 dryers. The shower facility is very clean with nice hot water. A wooded park is adjacent to the marina and the best part is they charge a flat rate of $15 per night. We went to Dinner at Calhoun’s and had an enjoyable evening.

Friday, September 28^th, Day 137

We went to Calhoun’s for lunch then used the courtesy van to go to Wal-Mart super center. We stocked up on supplies at Lenoir City. There is not a mall in this city, but we were both able to get some warmer clothes at Goody’s department store.

We did have trouble finding beer, but finally managed to buy some just outside the Lenoir City limits.

I had planned to do laundry when we returned, but we met a couple on the houseboat next to us, Chris and Bill and their dog Freeway. Gypsy and Freeway had a blast playing together and I put the Laundry off till later. We went back to Calhoun’s for dinner, just couldn’t stay away. We bought orange Tennessee shirts during our morning of shopping so we could get in the spirit. Tomorrow is the big Tennessee/LSU game in Knoxville.

Saturday, September 29^th, Day 138

We slept poorly due to windy conditions and line noise. It was a blustery day, but felt wonderful and the smell of football was in the air. We headed out around 10:30 am and it was so windy that we had trouble pulling away from the fuel dock. Our plan was to head to the Little Tennessee and anchor tonight. We were able to find a nice anchorage at sinking creek and spent a nice quiet evening swinging on the hook.

Sunday, September 30^th, Day 139

We headed out this morning to Volunteer Landing Marina in Knoxville. It was a rough and bouncy trip due to all the Vol Navy boats coming down river after attending yesterday’s game. We saw some beautiful mansions along the way. We decided to pass the marina and go a few miles up river to the very beginning of the Tennessee River where the Holston River and the French Broad River come together to form the Tennessee.

Downtown Knoxville is a very pretty city with a nice river walk. We ate dinner at the Riverside Tavern right next to the marina. The marina is nice, but beware as a transient, you are placed at the very end of the sheds and it’s a VERY long walk. We saw golf carts and gas-powered scooters used by many of the permanent boaters. They have 30 and 50-amp power and sell gas and diesel. Impossible to get a slip on Vol football weekends. Slip cost $35.00. The entire riverfront has been upgraded with restaurants and tourist attractions.

Monday, October 1^st, Day 140

We had an early lunch on the boat, and then we headed out sightseeing in Knoxville. We first stopped by the visitor center. There are very nice exhibits there and an outdoor waterfall. From there you can take the elevator to the 3^rd floor, which comes out on the street level on Main Street. It’s there that we caught the free trolley and toured the city. You can pick up a trolley schedule and stop points in the visitor center.

The weather is gorgeous-72 degrees and no humidity.

We sat on the aft deck and watched the UT women’s rowing teams practicing on the river. Then it was Monday night football time and off to bed.

Tuesday, October 2^nd, Day 141

We pulled out around 9:30 and headed back to Fort Loudoun Marina. While in route, we got a call from Little Rock about a family situation so we got to the marina around 3pm and rented a car and drove to Little Rock. We stayed in Little Rock until Sunday October 7^th taking care of family business. It was nice to see friends and family, but we missed our boat.

As we end our cruise of the Tennessee River, some general observations:

The Tennessee River is a great cruising destination. There are marinas every few miles along the entire length. The river is basically 8 lakes with a great many coves, sloughs and creeks that make for excellent anchorages. The creeks provide excellent gunkholling opportunities as well. The cruise guides only touch the surface of the anchoring possibilities. The scenery is really beautiful inspite of the increasing development along the river. It is impossible to do justice to the scenery with pictures. The Smokey Mountains are spectacular they don’t come out too well in the pictures.

Fred Meyer’s Cruise guide is an excellent source; but again, always check, as the data is frequently changing.

You could spend several summers cruising this area and not see it all. We also think many of the locals don’t realize what a beautiful river they have.

We highly recommend those on the Loop take a left at Pickwick and spend some time on this great river.