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.  

 

 

 



Florence to Joe Wheeler

McFarland Park, adjacent to the Florence Harbor, gave us a wonderful setting for our morning walks.

 

 

Taking a break during our stroll through the park to enjoy our Kona coffee.

 

 

Imagine our surprise when we came upon this paddlewheeler with its gangplank stretching into the park. They offloaded passengers to tour the Helen Keller home, the A.C. Handy Museum, and a house built by Frank Lloyd Wright.

 

 

 

The "working" end of the paddlewheeler.  It sure is a lot different from the modern day cruise ship.  Those two guys on the deck help put the wheel's size into perspective!

 

 

 

The First Mate in Spiritus' galley preparing another delicious meal for the crew.  Thanks for the great pan, Mom!

 

 

From our slip at Florence Harbor Marina, we enjoyed this spectacular view of cliffs on the Tennessee River.

 

 

 

Captain Eddy rigs a surprise burgee for his First Mate.

 

 

 

WAR EAGLE ! ! !

 

 

 

Our next door neighbor at our anchorage in Possum Cove at Joe Wheeler State Park.

 

 

Our view of The Lodge at Joe Wheeler State Park.  This is where the annual fall AGLCA rendezvous is held.  Two months from now, the slips will be packed with trawlers!

 

 

Captain Eddy makes an important trip from Spiritus (in the background) to The Lodge.......

 

 

 

........to get an ice cream cone for the First Mate! 

 

 

 

A three mile hike on a trail through the park helps to justify the ice cream indulgence! 

 

 

 

Every good hike deserves a good nap!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Bay Springs to Florence

This fixed span railroad bridge crosses part of the Tenn-Tom Waterway known as The Divide Cut. It is a 25 mile long "ditch" that connects the Tennessee River to the Tombigbee River.  More dirt was moved to build the Tenn-Tom than was moved to build the Panama Canal.

 

 

"The Dairy Queen" insisted on having an ice cream treat when we arrived at Grand Harbor Marina at Pickwick Lake, Tennessee!

 

 

We took advantage of the Grand Harbor's beautiful pool, overlooking Pickwick Lake.  This is a favorite weekend resort for many folks who live & work in Memphis.

 

 

Since there were no "little" kids at the pool, The Captain decided to release his inner child!

 

 

We used the harbor's courtesy car to fullfill Eddy's long-time desire to visit the Shiloh National Military Park.  What an amazing day!  (Linda even loved it!)

 

 

 

These cannons were actually used during the battle at Shiloh, on April 6 & 7, 1862.

 

 

 

 

Standing on the "Sunken Road" leading to The Hornet's Nest.  There were more than 23,700 casualties during these two days of fighting.

 

 

The Shiloh Church, which gave the battle its name, served as a command post for both the Union and Confederate armies.

 

 

 Linda sitting inside the one-room church.  Ironically, the word Shiloh means "Place of Peace".

 

 

 

We stopped to see Cooper Hollow Waterfall on our way up the Tennessee River to Florence, Alabama.

 

 

After arriving in Florence, we took an afternoon walk around the beautiful and historic campus of the University of North Alabama.

 

 

 

Meet Leo & Una, the mascots of the University of North Alabama.