Chattanooga to Goose Pond

Departing the mountains surrounding Chattanooga was difficult.  But as they say, you know you had a good time when you can't wait to return.  We loved Chattanooga and highly recommend a visit, even if you can't go by boat!

 

 

 

 

The weather on our departure day was much different from what we had experienced the past five weeks.  The mountains produced mist all day, indicating cool, moist air passing overhead. 

 

 

 

This is the first time we had to break out the rain gear.  The rain didn't start falling until about 30 minutes before we reached our anchorage at Little Cedar Mountain Cove.  It quit about 5 minutes after Linda finished setting the anchor!

 

 

 

The weather got nice enough for Eddy to grill dinner on the bar-b-que.  That background almost looks fake, doesn't it?

 

 

 

Before dinner, Linda decided to have a little fun with the Terminator water gun.  Can you guess who was her target?  Guess who almost didn't get any dinner?!

 

 

 

 

The next day we traveled down river to Jones Creek.  We had to wind our way through a narrow channel, being careful not to get hydrilla or millfoil wrapped around our propellers.

 

 

 

 

 As you can see, the navigation effort was worth it.  Besides the two fishing boats that came by, we had the place all to ourselves; again!

 

 

 

 

Once again, my Aquarian First Mate took the opportunity to go swimming.......

 

.......while Captain Eddy dove under the boat to free the props of some hydrilla.

 

 

 

 

Thinking of dinner, the Captain goes fishing for.......

 

 

 

.......one of these trout.  You should know that we had to settle for grilled pork that night!

 

 

 

 

Searching my Kindle for a book on "How to catch a fish".

 

 

 

 

Don't think we'll ever get tired of seeing these awesome sunsets. 

 

 

 

 

A lovely home with a river view........

 

 

 

........is all a person needs.......

 

 

 

.......but the birds know how to keep it simple.

 

 

 

 

Always mindful of the things we leave behind.......

 

 

 

.......and enthused about what lies ahead.

 

 

 

 

A sunset dinner at "The Docks" restaurant at Goose Pond Colony.  The owner, who is a master chef, took this picture.  He is a local boy who went to school at Auburn!

 

 

 

 

As the sun goes down, we continue to count the "happies"!

 

 

 

Chattanooga

 

 

This is where Spiritus was docked for 6 days in Chattanooga (the little boat on the far left).  It was a perfect location, as we were able to walk or bike to the restaurants and attractions that we visited.

 

 

 

Our view, from Spiritus, of the Walnut Street pedestrian-only bridge.

 

 

 

Captain Eddy on one of numerous walks across the Walnut Street bridge.  The Tennessee Aquarium and the famous Lookout Mountain are in the background.

 

 

 

In order to get to the top of Lookout Mountain, we had to ride the world's steepest incline railway. 

 

 

 

Linda thinks a "small" ice cream cone will give her encouragement to ride the incline!

 

 

 

The Incline Railway is almost a one mile ride, and at one point, over a 72% grade!

 

 

 

The view of the river and city from Lookout Mountain is stunning!

 

 

 

The Tennessee Aquarium has the world's largest freshwater aquarium and is home to more than 9,000 animals, including 300 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.  Linda was especially happy to see her favorite.......

 

 

 

.......the cute and playful river otter!  Another building houses the saltwater aquarium, where you can find Eddy's all-time favorite.......

 

 

 

.......PENGUINS!

 

 

 

No visit to this city is complete without seeing this renowned landmark of the South.  It was March 5, 1880, that the first passenger train leaving Cincinnati for Chattanooga was nicknamed "The Chattanooga Choo Choo".

 

 

 

The First Mate considers changing her form of transportation for the rest of the trip!

 

 

 

One evening we were fortunate to enjoy two terrific bands at a free concert in the park.

 

 

 

Sitting atop cliffs overlooking Spiritus is the Bluff View Art District, resembling a small European village.  Here is our favorite bakery........YUM!

 

 

 

This horse LOOKS like it's made of wood, but is actually a bronze sculpture.  This was in front of the Hunter Museum of American Art, which we found to be absolutely fascinating!

 

 

 

Everywhere we walked in the Bluff View District, amazing sculptures provided delightful entertainment.

 

 

 

The city provides bikes for you to enjoy on their 13 mile riverwalk trail.

 

 

 

 

 No, the building doesn't have a busted water pipe.  This is a really neat, interactive piece of art which commemorates The Trail of Tears.  The water flows down these "steps"............

 

.......to the Tennesse River, at the end of Spiritus' dock.

 

 

 

Everyone we've met in Chattanooga has been friendly, helpful, and welcoming.  Fellow Auburn supporters at a sports bar even bought us a brew while we watched the game together.  War Eagle!

 



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.