October 12-20, 2007 . . . Tennessee River (Cuba to Chattanooga)

Back on the Tennessee River from Cuba, Tennessee, to Clifton, Tennessee, to Iuka, Mississippi, up in the corner of Mississippi/Tennessee/Alabama, the barge traffic continues.


The Wilson Lock is HUGE! The standard big size of 1,200' x 110', however, this one raised us up some 93'. We felt so small in this lock.


The rear doors are so massive that they cannot fit into the camera lens from the stern of SONATA inside the lock.


The lock having been filled, proceeds to lower the front gate so that we may continue. Some have doors that open, some have gates that lower; this one lowers.


At the Joe Wheeler lock we watched a tow with a number of barges lock his barges up, then we had to wait while the tow boat was then locked up. A two hour wait! Bonnie said she would not look at this lock door again . . . after she had looked at it a million times in anticipation of it opening. Delays are just part of the joy of the trip.


The doors finally open for us. Our overnight is just minutes away from this lock. Joe Wheeler State Park.


Joe Wheeler State Park was the site for the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association Fall Rendezvous. We did not have reservations here for we did not expect to get this far by this date, October 15th. There was no slip space and no room at the rendezvous for additional participants, nonetheless, we were able to stay on the courtesy dock (no power) for free and visit with friends we had met along the way.


The highlight of the stop was visiting again with Virginia and Phil Moyer of HARMONY whom we had not seen since Brewerton, New York. We will probably see them again when they join us in New Orleans for a cruise over to their home in Houston.


On the way to Chattanooga there were two state parks, Ditto Landing and Jackson County, and two locks. The state parks were great. One had all services, water, electric, and a nice little place for breakfast . . . all for only $18.00.

Just the day before we passed under the Sergeant York bridge, and, before we could leave the Jackson County marina in the early morning, we found that the cable movie was SERGEANT YORK. This film is a 1941 biographical film about the life of Alvin York, the most decorated American soldier of World War I, a native of Tennessee. Starring in the movie were Gary Cooper, as Alvin C. York, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie. We delayed our departure to enjoy the film.


Up the Tennessee, out of Alabama and back into Tennessee, above the Nickajack Dam and Lock we came into the area called the "Grand Canyon of the Tennessee." Some of the most stunning scenery to be found anywhere on the river. High bluffs, beautiful trees.


The river twists and turns in the valley with beautiful views on both sides. We appear to be alone on the river, we have it all to ourselves.


Twisting and turning in the river we find water depths up to 135 feet because the river follows an ancient earthquake fault. There are deep holes in the river known as "The Pan", "The Skillet", "The Pot", because of the swirling, boiling, water that existed before the Nickajack Dam. Here we reenter the Eastern Time Zone.


As we come around the bend at Williams Island Lookout Mountain comes into view. While most know of Lookout Mountain some may not remember that it was here in November of 1863 that Union and Confederate forces clashed in the "Battle Above the Clouds," one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War . . . 34,000 deaths. Around one more bend and we are at Chattanooga, established in 1815 by Cherokee descendant Chief John Ross. Our dock is just upriver of the John Ross Bridge, on a floating dock parallel to the river bank.


After docking the local tour "steam boat" Southern Belle, passes under the John Ross Bridge and passes our location. During the night the steam boat DELTA QUEEN tied up at the dock behind us. Sorry, no picture . . . the camera is on the fritz. Time for a new one.


After docking on Friday the 19th, daughter and grand-daughter, Brandi and Taylor from Knoxville, joined us for the week end. Saturday morning we were off to the incline railway and the top of Lookout Mountain.


Three beautiful, charming women that I am lucky to be associated with . . . up the mountain, over to Rock City and a view of seven states, lunch at the Krystal (tiny hamburgers, one-half dozen), to the mall, out to dinner for ribs; a great day!!


A view of the Tennessee River from Lookout Mountain. The top of the bend is SONATA's location for a week while Brandi and Taylor return to Knoxville and Bonnie returns to Virginia Beach and her work. Boat jobs for Charlie, and, now it is raining, raining, much needed rain for this area, the East Coast.