2013 CRUISE TO THE TENNESSEE RIVER

June 8 - We finally left our home dock on Summerland Key headed to Goose Pond Marina in Scottsboro, AL for the fourth time.  Inclement weather delayed our departure for about ten days, so we were anxious to move along quickly.  Since we have made this cruise three times already, we didn't take very many photos, but we'll share those that we did take.






1. 

LEAVING SUMMERLAND KEY

 

SUNRISE AT SHARK RIVER IN THE EVERGLADES

JUNE  9



 

We spent June 10th at our friends' dock in Cape Coral (Jim and Shirley Chapman).  Enjoyed visiting with our friends, Ed and Sara Dennerline and Bob and Holly Duncan in addition to taking care of some business.  We are grateful to Jim and Shirley for letting us tie up at their  dock again and for letting us leave our truck in their driveway until Bill returns from Scottsboro to drive it up.   On June 11th, we headed north up the West Coast Intracoastal Waterway to Sarasota.

 

 

 

LOTS OF FISHERMEN NEAR BOCA GRANDE INLET

 

 

BILL, BARBIE AND DALE CRAFT

 

After anchoring in the mooring field at Sarasota, we enjoyed getting together with Dale and Barbie Craft.  Dale was a Math professor at South Florida Community College in Avon Park when Bill was Dean of Students there.   They now reside in Venice.  We hadn't seen them in about six years, so it was a great reunion.

 

 

LONGBOAT KEY PASS

 

June 12th - We're heading toward Longboat Key Pass and out into the Gulf for the long trek across to Carrabelle in the Panhandle.  Beautiful day and smooth waters throughout the day. 

 

 

 SUNSET ON THE GULF OF MEXICO

 

 

Wind picked up during the night and seas became choppy, but not bad.  Our radar decided to go on vacation when we needed it the most, but we made it across without it. 

 

 

 

SUNRISE ON THE GULF OF MEXICO

 

 

About 23 1/2 hours later we reached Dog Island across from Carrabelle.  Then we decided to continue on to Appalachicola which was about 36 miles further.  Docked at Appalachicola Marina and caught up on our sleep that afternoon.  Crossing was 252 miles in 28 hours.  Glad it's behind us!!!  Enjoyed Fried Oysters at Boss Oyster that evening!  

 

On the 14th we headed up the across the Panhandle on the Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway.  Our first stop was east of Panama City where we refuled at Pier 98 and anchored at Pearl Bayou, one of our favorite anchorages.

 

 

 ALWAYS FUN TO SEE THE DOLPHINS CAVORTING IN OUR WAKE

 

On Saturday, June 15th, as we continued on west toward Destin, we were overtaken by a big SeaRay without warning.  We were crossing Choctawhatchee Bay, which is probably five miles across, but the Captain chose to pass us within three feet or so to our port.  Unfortunately, we had a small porthole open in the aft stateroom, and a wall of water came through, soaking everything.  It went completely across the queen-size bed and even drenched the carpet and pad on the starboard side.  We were so busy surveying the damage that we didn't have a chance to contact him on the radio.  What a mess!! 

 



 

 

 

PARASAILORS AT DESTIN

 

We anchored at Santa Rosa Island for the night.    Had a number of other boats anchored nearby as it was Father's Day Weekend.  On Father's Day we continued on across Pensacola Bay and anchored at Wolf  Bay.  Many folks were out enjoying the water with their family.

 

On the 17th, we arrived at Dog River Marina off Mobile Bay.  Our friend, Diesel Don and all of his family, were there to greet us.  They planned to cruise up the Tenn-Tom with us in their newly acquired Defever, Free Will.  Our time at Dog River was spent washing everything in the Master Stateroom that had been soaked with salt water east of Destin.  Bill took the carpets out on the bow and scrubbed them.   That inconsiderate SeaRay jerk sure created a tremendous amount of work and cost as our comforter was damaged and has to be replaced.

 

 

June 19th - We left Dog River and headed up Mobile Bay to the Tenn-Tom.  Free Will was following us towing their jetski.  Don and his wife Connie and  their two grandsons (Bailey - 14 and Kaden - 11 were aboard Free Will.

 

 

FREE WILL ON MOBILE BAY

 

 

 

 PELICANS READY FOR A HANDOUT

 

 

APPROACHING MOBILE HARBOR

 

We anchored at Three Rivers Lake the first night and at Bobby's Fish Camp the second.  Don received a call from Aqua Yacht Harbor up at Pickwick requesting him to come asap to work on a boat.  He is widely recognized for his outstanding diesel engine work and is always in demand.  He had his son-in-law Kevin drive his work van down to Bobby's from Scottsboro, and he and Connie headed to Pickwick in the van.  Kevin took over as Captain and he and his two sons continued upstream with us the next day.  The older son (Bailey) has been working with his Granddad learning all about diesel engines and how to repair them.  He has an amazing amount of knowledge at his young age.  Kaden, the younger son, was at the helm a good bit of the time and loved talking on the VHF radio, so we had a good time chatting back and forth.  They have AIS aboard Free Will, which electronically gives information about other vessels with AIS  who are in the area.  All of the tows have AIS so Kaden informed us whenever one was nearby, which was helpful.

 

 

FREE WILL ANCHORED AT THREE RIVERS LAKE

 

 

A TOW WITH A LOAD OF COAL HEADED DOWNSTREAM

 

 

FREE WILL AT A PICTURESQUE SPOT ON THE WATERWAY

 

June 22 - After anchoring at Foscue Creek just below Demopolis for the night, we continued upstream to Cochrane Creek.  We always have to make a photo op as we pass the White Cliffs of Epes

 

 

 

CAPT. BILL ENJOYING THE VIEW AT THE WHITE CLIFFS OF EPES

 

 

KEVIN AND SONS PASSING THE WHITE CLIFFS

 

 

MOONRISE AT COCHRANE CREEK

 

June 23 - We got an early start so we could get to Columbus Marina around midday.  Locked through two more locks (Beville and Stennis) with no delay and tied up at Columbus Marina before 1 PM.  We were welcomed by Dockmaster "T" whom we have gotten to know over the past five years of cruising the Tenn-Tom.  We were also happy to see our good boating friends, Don and Rosie Peck from Spring, TX (Houston area), whom we met at Goose Pond in 2009.  They keep their boat, Just Rosie, at Columbus Marina.  Had a great visit with them and went to dinner together.

 

 

DON AND ROSIE PECK

 

 

 

June 24 - We left Columbus Marina at 6 AM as we had seven locks to go through to reach our favorite anchorage on the Tenn-Tom at Bay Springs Lake.  Fortunately we didn't have to wait for any tows, and we made it in 11 hours and 48 minutes (78.3 miles and 7 locks).  The last one (James Whitten) is the biggest of the 12 locks on the Tenn-Tom with a lift of 84 feet.

 

 

 GATES CLOSING AT JAMES WHITTEN LOCK WITH FREE WILL SECURED FOR THE LIFT

 

 

WE'RE READY TO BE LIFTED UP!!!

 

We anchored in Bay Springs Lake and enjoyed swimming in the clear waters.  A couple we met there in 2009 (Valt and Sandy Melbardis) from Ft. Louden, Tenn came by in their tender to say hi.  Their boat is Amber Isle.  They were returning home after spending the winter in the Bahamas.  We had a nice visit with them.  

 

 

 

OMEGA ANCHORED AT BAY SPRINGS LAKE

 

June 25 - We relaxed during the morning, went swimming and took a little dinghy ride.  After lunch we moved upstream to Yellow Creek in the Pickwick area where we anchored in Zippy Branch, a beautiful anchorage across from Grand Harbor Marina.  Since it was a weekday, we had the cove all to ourselves.    Went ashore in the dinghy and went to dinner with Diesel Don and grandson Bailey.  They are working on a boat there at Aqua Yacht Harbor at Pickwick.

 

We decided to stay another day at Zippy Branch as the weather was so beautiful, and it is such a nice anchorage.   Nearby is the junction of the Tenn-Tom and the Tennessee River (Mile 449 north of Mobile).  We couldn't pass up taking a nice dinghy ride along the shoreline of the Tennessee River viewing the lovely homes.   What a nice place to be!!!

 

June 27 - It was time to move on toward Goose Pond, so we hauled the anchor and headed upstream on the Tennessee River.  Ahead of us just east of Florence, Al was Wilson lock, the 3rd highest in the world (93 feet).  As we approached, we learned from the lockmaster that there would be a lengthy delay as they had divers in the water doing some repairs, and there were three tows waiting to lock through - two upbound and one downbound.  The lockmaster indicated it could be a three-hour wait or more.  We anchored under the shade of a bridge and waited.  Much to our surprise, the lockmaster asked the first of the upbound tows (Joe Cain) if he would mind if they locked us up ahead of him.  He agreed, which was very nice of him, so we got through much sooner than we expected. 

 

We anchored at Wheeler State Park Marina where me met David and Joyce Duke from Rome, GA.  They were on their first cruise on their small C-Dory (about 20 feet) with a single outboard.    They planned to go all the way down to the west coast of Florida this summer.  We shared some information from our experiences.  Due to an approaching cold front with predicted thunderstorms and wind, we decided to remain at Wheeler for another night.

 

June 29 - We continued on upstream toward Huntsville.  It was a beautiful Saturday, and tons of small pleasure craft were out on the river. 

 

 

PAINTED ROCK EAST OF HUNTSVILLE, AL

 

Our cruise wouldn't be complete if we didn't take a photo as we passed Painted Rock east of Huntsville.  It is a significant landmark.

 

 When we got to Guntersville Lock, our 15th and last lock, we had to wait quite a while.  It seemed like the lockmaster just enjoyed his position of power and control.  He was the only lockmaster like that, thank goodness.    Once he leisurely decided to open the lock gates and lift us up, we continued on to the anchorage adjacent to Guntersville State Park, where we anchored for the last time.

 

June 30 - Only 19 miles to our final destination at Goose Pond Marina in Scottsboro, Al.  It was another beautiful morning on the river, and we enjoyed taking in all the natural beauty of the area.

 

 

OMEGA arrived at Goose Pond Marina at noon.  We were so excited about having a covered slip for the first time.  Much to our surprise and dismay, as we slowly made our way toward the slip, we realized OMEGA was too tall to get under the roof.  We understood it was 24 feet tall, but in reality, it was only 19 1/2 feet.  We moved over to the transient dock for the rest of the day and night while seeking a solution. 

Our friends, Ray and Patsy Whitney, were at the slip to welcome us.  They and other friends at the marina told us about possible alternatives.  One of the alternatives was to lower our radar arch, and that's the one Bill chose.

 

 

July 1st - Our friend Plyler, who lives aboard at the marina with his wife Penny, gave Bill some lumber to make a cradle for the radar arch.  He had it made in short order and prepared everything for lowering it.  Then with the help of three young adults and several older guys, the arch was lowered to rest on the cradle. 

 

Our friend, Richard Walker aboard Holiday VII, stopped by just to say hi.  He was on his way from Pickwick to Chickamauga Marina in Chattanooga.  Richard and his wife Carol spend the winter months in Marathon. 

 

 

 

Our height problem was solved, and we  made it into the covered slip with about an inch to spare.

 

 

 

RADAR ARCH IN LOWERED POSITION

 

 

We settled in and enjoyed relaxing on our aft deck and up on the flybridge for the rest of the day.  We are so happy to be under cover for the first time.  We cruised 1390 miles from Summerland to Goose Pond in 23 days.  Overall, a great trip! 

 

 

VIEW FROM OUR BACK PORCH (AFT DECK)

 

 

REFLECTION OF THE SUNSET IN THE SOUTHEASTERN SKY

 





HANGING OUT IN CAPE CORAL

A very special thanks to our  friends, Jim and Shirley Chapman, for allowing us to spend the past two weeks at their dock here in Cape Coral.

We rented a car and dropped our prop off at  Frank & Jimmie's Prop Shop in Ft. Lauderdale and drove on home to pick up our truck.  Frank & Jimmie's is quite an operation.  If you're in the Florida Keys and need prop work done, let us know as Bill can get a discount.  

We enjoyed a couple of days at home.  Picked up the prop on our way back, and Bill got it back on.  He's had to take our props off and on so often that Char has given him a new official title - he's a certified "Proptologist." 

Our friends here in Cape Coral have made us feel very welcome.  We've joined them at their favorite hangouts which has been fun.  We call them the "PRAWNS" since they like to eat at the Prawnbroker so often.

CHARLOTTE, BARB, HARRY, RONI, BOB, AND HOLLY



BILL AND THE GANG AT SUNDAY HANGOUT PRAWNBROKER'S

Because of our concern about hurricane risk here, we came close to deciding to head back up to Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River.   We love it up on the Tenn River, and fuel prices have come down some since we left home.  We would probably be on our way there now, but unsettled marine weather has kept us here.  Now we have the possibility of the development of a tropical "something" in the Gulf, so by default we have fallen back to Plan B and will stay here.  We will move to our new home at Marinatown Marina in N. Ft. Myers this afternoon (June 22).

We have been at Marinatown now for about ten days.  It's really a pretty area as you can see from the following photos:

                                                                 VIEW FROM OMEGA'S BOW

                                          OUR WALKWAY DOWN TOWARD THE PARKING LOT

                                                                    

                                                            OMEGA IN SLIP 6 AT MARINATOWN MARINA

June 24 -26 were really windy wet days here with Tropical Storm Debby sitting out in the Gulf.  The tide was so high that it covered the docks.  The marina staff had to turn off the power as the water was up on the power pedestals, so our good ole generator was pressed back into service for two days.  The dockmaster said they had only had water this high two other times, and this wasn't even a hurricane!

                                               WHERE, O WHERE DID THE DOCK GO?

                                                   SORRY FOLKS, NO POWER TODAY!!!

                                          ANOTHER GOOD DAY OF READING ABOARD OMEGA

We sure were happy campers when the waters receded and we could get off the boat again. 

The Fourth of July was a beautiful sunny day, and we celebrated with a cookout for Barbara, Holly, and Bob aboard Omega.

                                                            WE'RE READY TO CELEBRATE!!!

                                                     BOB AND HOLLY DUNCAN, CHARLOTTE

                                                               BARBARA FORDYCE

The finale for the evening was enjoying the fireworks from Omega's flybridge - very nice.  God Bless America!!!!
          Until the next time********


                                              

WE MADE IT!!!

June 4 - 9 ... We left Green Turtle on the 4th and headed north on the Sea of Abaco.  The wind was fairly calm and the waters smooth for a couple of hours, but then the winds picked up and the waves increased.  From there to Great Sale Cay it was more of the same!!  We anchored on the east side of Great Sale to have a little more protection from the wind overnight; with our 5 ft. draft, we couldn't get very close to shore.  So we had another rock-n-roll night with a thunderstorm thrown in as an added attraction.

On the 5th, we continued across the Little Bahama Bank to anchor on the lee side of Mangrove Cay, which is very small.  The wind was still blowing out of the southwest, and the waters continued to be choppy.  Upon our arrival at Mangrove Cay, we were pleased to find another trawler anchored there - Freelance... folks we had met earlier at Tilloo Cay - Darryl and Jennifer.  They were headed back to their home in Stuart.    Darryl told us the St. Lucie Inlet had recently been dredged and remarked, and it was safe to enter.  We changed our route plan to cruise across with them to Stuart rather than heading to Lake Worth.  Of course, we couldn't leave Bahamian waters without experiencing another thunderstorm with lots of lightning during our last night. 

Well before daylight on the 6th, we hauled anchor and headed west with Freelance.  We cruised for about three hours on the Little Bahama Bank to Memory Rock.  No sun - just dark clouds all around with more wind and choppy seas!  On the VHF radio, the National Weather Service announced severe thunderstorm warnings for coastal waters of Florida for the areas for which we were headed; they were moving northeast toward us.  Wonderful!  Just what we were hoping for!! 

OMEGA HEADED WEST ON THE LITTLE BAHAMA BANK

                                             

                                                OUR CROSSING COMPANIONS ABOARD FREELANCE

CIRCUMNAVIGATING LARGE STORM AS WE LEAVE THE BANK FOR DEEP WATER

Capt. Bill said we were turning back if it was rough when we got off the Little Bahama Bank and into deeper waters.  But before we got to that spot, we were surrounded by another thunderstorm.  Fortunately, he was able to skirt around the edges of it, so it wasn't too bad.  Much to our surprise, once we passed Memory Rock and moved into deep water, the wind subsided some and the seas got calmer.  No need to turn back, but the skies still looked threatening.  About 6 pm, we arrived at the St. Lucie Inlet and proceeded through it into calm waters.  Hoorah!!  We are back in the good ole USA!!  We picked up a mooring ball at Sunset Bay Anchorage at mile 7.9 on the Okeechobee Waterway and said farewell to Capt. Darryl and Jennifer.  Fourteen hours and 108.6 miles...we're so thankful it's behind us!

Sunset Bay Marina/Anchorage, built just three years ago, is a beautiful marina.  We enjoyed having lunch on the 7th at the marina restaurant and then went for a walk-a-bout through the restored downtown area.  It's a very nice area with some very interesting shops. 

Early on the 8th, we headed west on the Okeechobee Waterway and locked through the St. Lucie Lock at 9 AM.  The locks at each end of the waterway have restricted openings to conserve the water in Lake Okeechobee.  They open every two hours on the odd hour.  Between Stuart and Lake Okeechobee, you are on the St. Lucie River and canal.  East of the lake after you pass Moore Haven, you pick up the Caloosahatchee River.  The skies were still totally overcast - where, oh where is the sun?

                                                                       APPROACHING ST. LUCIE LOCK

As we neared the Port Mayaca lock, which is just before the east side of Lake Okeechobee, we were again surrounded by thunderstorms.  We were beginning to think we were the center of attraction no matter where we were!  It rained most of the way across Lake Okeechobee (25 miles), but we missed the brunt of the thunder and lightning, thank goodness. 

However, little did we know what we would experience ahead!  About three miles before reaching the Moore Haven lock in a very narrow section of the waterway, we came to a construction site with huge steel pilings next to each other.  They reduced the width of the waterway by at least a third.  There was a warning sign stating "Stay close to pilings for deep water."  On the right side, there were a number of big orange balls.  One of these balls was out of place and was right in our path.  We couldn't get between it and the steel pilings, so Capt. Bill slowly inched to the right side of it.  Suddenly we heard "CRUNCH!  CRUNCH!  CRUNCH!" as we hit rocks!  It was after 5 PM on Friday, so no one was at the construction site.  Two other smaller boats were ahead of us, so when we got to the lock, we got the name and phone # of one of the captains.  The lockmaster gave us the name and phone number of the Army Corps of Engineers Operations Manager, so we can contact him on Monday.   

                                              TWO BOATS IN MOORE HAVE LOCK WHO WITNESSED
                                                          MISPLACED BUOY AT CONSTRUCTION SITE

We tied up at the Moore Haven City dock for the night and tried to calm down!

We continued west on the Okeechobee Waterway on the 9th.  The sun finally decided to come out, and we were able to be up on the flybridge to enjoy the scenery.  There are lots of nice homes with beautiful lawns and landscaping, especially from east of LaBelle until you get to the wide open waters of the Caloosahatchee River near Ft. Myers.

A NICE GRAZING SPOT ALONG THE WATERWAY

                                                                                    

                                                        PRETTY BLUE SKIES AT LAST

ONE OF THE PICTURESQUE HOMES ON THE WATERWAY

                                              
Because Capt. Bill needed to dive under OMEGA to assess damages from hitting the rocks, we decided to go to our friends' dock (Jim and Shirley Chapman) in Cape Coral where the water is clearer rather than to Marinatown in N. Ft. Myers.  Fortunately, it looks like the keel and stabilizer are okay, but we dinged three blades of our starboard prop.  Bill will have to pull it and get it repaired again, the third time in seven months!  Joy! 

This concludes the blog of our trip to the Bahamas.  It was great even though we didn't have good weather most of the time, and we are thankful for the memories!