We started our week off with a pre-dawn lock adventure. Our next lock near Florence, AL was recently damaged. The floating wall that guides boats into the primary lock had separated and sunk. Oh no! They were operating on a restricted schedule and only locking thru pleasure craft right as they open (near sunrise) and then sometimes later in the day, depending on their tow/barge traffic. There were nine looping boats leaving the next morning docked at the Florence Harbor Marina, about a mile from the Wilson lock. I volunteered Captain Dave to be the main contact with the lock and then relay the info to the rest of the Loopers (he was so excited I volunteered him…not really). All went smoothly, with the Looper flotilla heading out at 6:08 a.m., the gates were open for us at 6:45 a.m., and we locked through with precision. About 10 miles down we had another lock, the Wheeler Lock, and we weren’t quite so lucky this time. Our group (now 11 boats, two had joined us from their anchorage) had to wait over 3 hours (we all anchored outside the channel while waiting) while several tows with barges locked through. The group was well coordinated and everyone successfully made their destinations that day.
We were on our way to Chattanooga, TN with 3 overnight stops at free docks along the way. Our looper friends, Roger & Chris on Betty Gail, were headed to Chattanooga as well. Our first night was at Decatur, AL. Next to the free dock (no water or electricity) was an Inaugural Bassmaster High School Combine with 85 high school students showcasing their fishing prowess for over 20 college recruiters. I didn’t know some colleges have fishing scholarships. Our second night was at Guntersville, AL, also a free dock, and although it was on a Sunday, we found The Brick restaurant where the 4 of us enjoyed dinner and yummy desserts. Our third night was at Shellmound, AL, which was a RV campground, park, a few short trails, and a couple free docks. Just enough room for Betty Gail and Slo Pace to tie to for the night.
We arrived at Chattanooga, TN, tied to a city dock – this time with water and electricity. Woohoo! As soon as we arrived, Slo Pace and Betty Gail were washed, and then the four of us were off for an early dinner at the City Café and Diner. This was one of Dave’s favorite restaurants when he was flying due to the wide selection of desserts. It was so tough to choose, so Dave and I enjoyed a decadent slice of chocolate cake and brought another slice (Snickers chocolate cake) back to the boat. We stayed at Chattanooga for 3 days, enjoying more delicious meals, walking about in the city and the best part…a pinball museum where you can play pinball to your hearts content for one entry fee (which was only $10 if you arrived when they opened at 1 p.m. for the first 30 minutes).
After Chattanooga, we headed back down the river towards Huntsville, stopping again at Shellmound and then at Goose Pond Marina for two nights. Murphy was able to play with his pal, Piper, on Irrational Exuberance, at Goose Pond. Murphy first met Piper way back on the Erie Canal and enjoy playtime whenever they cross paths. And, we were fortunate to be at Goose Pond when Ginger Gale crossed their wake (completed their loop). Congratulations to Nick & Ginger!
That completes a full week for us and our next destination is Huntsville, AL
Fun Facts: Distanced traveled so far: 4,986 miles in 7 months and 1 day, stopping at 133 unique locations, passing through 64 locks.
Thanks for following along on our adventure,
Brenda with Captain Dave, and Mr. Murphy