Joe Wheeler to Chattanooga

 

Another beautiful sunrise as we pull up our anchor at Joe Wheeler.

 

 

 

 

And you didn't think anything important was in Decatur, Alabama!  Lots and lots of cats would argue otherwise.

 

 

 

If  YOU have trouble figuring out where we are, try this Captain-in-training's technique!

 

 

 

Spiritus approaches Painted Bluff.  More than 350 feet high.......

 

 

 

.......it gets its name from the yellow and brown rock.

 

 

 

 

Our swimming noodles got a lot of use here at our anchorage at Hambrick Hollow.

 

 

 

My blonde dinghy swimming next to my dinghy, Blondie!

 

 

 

Early morning "grunt work" for the First Mate as we leave Hambrick Hollow.  She's pouring water on the anchor chain to clean off the mud.  Was this place pretty or what???!!

 

 

 

 This is a sanctuary for the federally endangered gray bat.  Because this cave is naturally warmer, the bats use it as a maternity cave.

About 20,000 to 45,000 bats live in this cave between April & September.  At dusk, thousands of bats fly from the cave to feed on insects.........we didn't stick around to watch!!!

 

 

 

The marina at Goose Pond Colony had an 18 hole golf course right next to it........

 

 

 

.......as well as a two mile nature walk!

 

 

 

Always take time to stop and smell the roses (or wildflowers).......

 

 

 

.......and admire the natural wildlife around us.

 

 

 

Not long after leaving Goose Pond, we catch a glimpse of the mountains ahead.

 

 

 

A spectacular view of an old railroad lift bridge with the mountains in the background.

 

 

 

Sometimes, when your pickup truck absolutely has to get to "the other side of the river", you catch a ferry.  Don't forget to set the parking brake!

 

 

 

The scenery keeps getting more and more astonishing!

 

 

 

Our anchorage at Little Cedar Mountain Cove not only had a stunning view.......

 

 

 

........it even came with its own mermaid!

 

 

 

The stretch of river from here to Chattanooga is known as the "Grand Canyon of the Tennessee".

 

 

 

The river makes a dozen turns during the next 32 miles as it twists through the mountains.

 

 

 

Sometimes you have to get over to one side of the river to make room for another boat.........or an airplane.  Linda shot these photos from the bridge of Spiritus.  We could actually see the pilot wave "thanks" to us as he flew by!

 

 

Tennessee Mermaids welcome us when we arrive at the marina in downtown Chattanooga!

 

 

 

Exactly four weeks after departing Florida, we celebrate with a toast to an amazing journey!

  The next six days will be spent "playing tourist" in Chattanooga before we start our return trip down river.