Day 128 Wednesday October 26, 2022
Erwin Riverfront Marine, Chattanooga to Jones Creek Anchorage MM388
We are starting our return to the Tenn-Tom.
It is very dark at 07:30 in the morning. We waited until 7:50 to leave; Phil-N-Wild left earlier to get fuel and a pump out. Warm enough (50 degrees) during the night, there was no fog or dew to worry about. It was overcast and COLD most of the morning and windier than it has been.
Goodbye Chattanooga
We met our first tow at 9am. The Captain of White Wings shared that he wasn't going through the Nickajack Lock. Commercial traffic has priority at the locks so that meant we wouldn't have to wait for him.
We drove under a train!
We passed Compass Rose along the way! We met them last year at a rendezvous and again this year. They are Gold Loopers and have been sending us info about sights to see and good anchorages along the way. Their boat is a Mainship 400 too, only 2 years older.
We were in Nickajack Lock at 11:15 and out at 11:45. We were making such good time that we passed our original anchorage at Battery Hill and moved on to Jones Creek. Very tricky entrance, shallow with a couple of "S" turns but well marked. Beautiful secluded spot. We rafted with Grand Wazoo, Arion with Phil-N-Wild. We were the only ones there. Leftovers from IL Primo for dinner - yummy.
Jones Creek anchorageJones Creek MM388 to Guntersville Free Dock MM358
Arion had pushed weeds and mud on the way into our anchorage; we were the lead boat on the way out. Jerry made our way slowly out of the anchorage. The markers made more sense now but we also had to waltz around the early morning bass fisherman.
Laura untying our boat from theirs.
There was a lot of current at the very narrow entrance (and another fishing boat) and AIS showed a big ship coming our way. Luckily it was far enough back for all 3 boats to come out into the river channel safely.
The big boat turned out to be a passenger ship, "American Contessa". We could see passengers eating their breakfast in the dining room, lit by chandeliers.
We traveled in 1 foot waves -- since the waves were against we didn't get any help from the 2 knot current. Colors were awesome.
We arrived at Guntersville Free Dock at 11:30, only a 4 hour travel day. This was familiar territory since we had stopped here on our way to Chattanooga. It was Susan's birthday so we all wanted to be tied somewhere to celebrate.
We walked along the river path, then downtown to scout out restaurants for dinner. We stopped to experience the local wine tasting opportunity. The proprietor is a colorful guy, not shy about enjoying a taste or two along with us.
Birthday cocktails included a pitcher of Blue Lagoon margaritas, shrimp, homemade guac, and charcuterie. Dinner was at La Esquina Cocina for mexican food. The birthday celebration ended with homemade cheesecake, (with candles), a toast and a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday.
Tomorrow we head to Ingalls Harbor Free Dock in Decatur, Alabama.
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