Monday Sept. 30 

28 miles    Louisville Landing Marina to Little TN River mm#5.5

We pulled out of Louisville Landing marina at 1115 to start our ride back south/west. We now have to back track about 400 miles to get to the Ten-Tom River which will take us south. There was a partly cloudy sky with a temperature of 77 degrees. Since we are now going down stream our speed will increase and so will our fuel economy. Along this section of the Tennessee River not only are the houses bigger so are the boat houses.

 

We passed pastures, cliffs, and also had a glimpse of the Great Smokey Mountains in the distance.

 

At 1300 we stopped for fuel at Fort Loudoun Marina which is right next to the Fort Loudoun lock. Pulling into the marina we noticed this triple decker house boat. I’m not sure how long it was but it sure filled up the slip it was in.

 

After fueling up instead of going into the lock we took a side trip into Tellico Lake. This lake was formed when the Fort Loudoun Dam was put in. This is also called the  Little Tennessee River which starts in the Great Smokey Mountains. Along this stretch of water we saw several silos which are a reminder that much of what is under us used to be farmland before it was flooded when the dam was built. We went up about 5 miles and pulled into a cove at 1430 to anchor for the night.

 

 

Saturday Sept. 28 

0 miles 

Today Jim and Karen took us to downtown Knoxville to checkout the sights. Knoxville is the home of the University of Tennessee. Now this town goes on steroids when there is a home game. There was orange and white (the teams colors) every where. Every person we met or passed had in some form those colors on. Randy and I didn't have any orange so we wore white. Jim felt sorry for us and gave Randy a cap to wear.
 

Randy, Sherri, Karen, Jim.

 

 Even the Port O Potty is orange.

 

The Tennessee River runs right by the city and the stadium is near the water front. Boats come from all over up and down the river and tie up just outside the stadium. Some people go up to the stadium to watch the game but most stay on their boats, turn on the TV’s and have one big party.

 

The stadium is on the right beyond the bridge.

 

After our walk downtown we went to Jim and Karen’s house for dinner and spent the night there. It sure seemed weird to be on land for so long.

 

Sunday Sept. 29

0 miles 

We had a nice laid back morning with our friends then headed back to the boat. On the way back we stopped at a park to get in a nice long walk. (more of that exercise stuff)

We had a couple of small maintenance projects to get done and then it was time to give the Porsche back. One last dinner with Jim and Karen, then we said our goodbyes. Or maybe I should say see you later. They will be joining us once we get to Florida to cruise part of the way with us.

 

 

Thursday Sept. 26 

0 miles 

Priorities is tied up at a dock at Louisville Landing Marina. Randy spent about 4 hours replacing a water pump for the AC unit that went out on us. We ordered it a week ago and had it sent to our friends (Jim and Karen) in Knoxville. Jim took off work early and came down so we visited with him and met some of the people from the marina. Very nice, generous people. As the saying goes it’s not what you know but who you know! Well it seems Jim and Karen are the people to know. The Harbor Master gave us a discount on our dockage and another friend of theirs (who was going to be out of town for a week) gave us his Porsche to use during our stay.

The marina has a restaurant on site so we went there with Jim, Karen, George, and Gracie (George and Gracie live on their boats at the marina) for dinner.

 

Louisville Landing Marina

 

 

Dockside Grill by the marina.

 

 

Friday Sept. 27 

0 miles 

The fog really set in during the night. We were glad we didn’t have plans to move on.

 

 This is what the view should be without the fog.

 

After breakfast it was time to go to town for some supplies. Out came the Porsche keys, it was time for a ride. Randy needed some prescriptions filled so the first stop was Walgreens. Then it was on to Wal-Mart for the rest of our supplies. (Thank goodness for our GPS which was my retirement gift from Gentex). Before going back to the boat we stopped by a little park near the marina and went for a walk to get some exercise. Tonight will be some more visiting and eating dinner with our friends.  

 

Tuesday Sept. 24 

49 miles   Tenn. river mm#498.1 to Tenn. river mm#547

Today we started out at 0830 with clouds and a high of 77 degrees. We had one lock to go through today which is called Watts Bar and will take us up 70 feet. About 5 miles before we arrived we caught up to the same boat that we had locked through with yesterday. John is from Illinois and “Shes A Lady” is a 36 foot Gibson. We found out he is traveling to Knoxville by himself. 

 

Traveling along today we had some more beautiful scenery.

 

 

 I couldn't resist putting this one in.  This was sitting all by itself, no park, road or launch ramp in sight.

 

We pulled into our anchorage for the night at 1430. About an hour later John gave us a call. He decided to anchor in the same cove. We got together for happy hour and exchanged pictures that we both had taken of each others boats after leaving the lock.

 

 

 Priorities cruising on the Tennessee River.

 

 

Wednesday Sept. 25 

79 miles    Tenn. river mm#547 to Knoxville, TN

I got a little behind in posting because the last few anchorages we did not have any WIFI service. This morning we got moving at 0830 to a cloudy, rainy day. The rain (no downpour just spitting mist) stayed with us all day. Taking the river toward Knoxville takes us a little north. I think it’s time to go back south where it was sunnier and warmer. Oh well one more weekend and we will be turning back around. Even with the rain we did get some nice pictures.
 

Osprey drying it's wings.

 

Our travels today took us under the I75 highway bridge. All those times traveling by car crossing the Tennessee river who would have thought that some day we would be taking a boat under it.

 

Not long after the I75 bridge we came to Fort Loudoun Lock and Dam. This was the only lock of the day and took us up 70 feet.

The next stretch of river started out with some beautiful (large) homes, and then turned into farm land.

 

All that was separating this house from the farm was a little creek. It makes you wonder how long these farmers will last till the land is changed to all housing.

 

We got off the river at 1700 and pulled into Louisville Landing Marina which is our final destination on the Tennessee River. We have some friends (Jim and Karen) who live in Knoxville and keep their boat in this marina. We will be spending the weekend here to catch up with them and do some cleaning on the boat.

Monday Sept. 23 

34 miles     Chattanooga to Tenn. river mm #498.1

We left Chattanooga at 1010. Only 6 miles up river was the Chickamauga lock that we needed to go through. We shared our ride up in the lock with one other boat. This lock brought us up 70 feet.
 

Going into the lock.

 

 Lock doors closing.

 

 Looking to the front of the lock.

 

 Looking to the back of the lock.

 

 

 This section of the river didn’t have the high cliffs but the scenery was just as beautiful.

 

We passed by the Sequoyah nuclear power plant with twin 460-foot towers. It amazed me that you are allowed to get so close to it while cruising by.  

 

At 1510 we pulled off the river into a little cove to anchor for the night.

 

 

 

Sunday Sept. 22 

0 miles 

Chattanooga is a very busy town especially being right on a major river. The marina we are in is right on the river.

 

Not far from us is a steam boat called the Southern Belle. They give rides up and down the river and while they are cruising a calliope plays music.

There is a paddle boat (Delta Queen) across the river that is now used as a hotel and restaurant.

 

You can also get a ride in an amphibious auto.

 

Every where you look there is a piece of history that comes alive. 175 years ago Native Americans that lived here for centuries were forced out of their homes during an event that is now known as the Trail of Tears.  This event is remembered through a public art memorial known as “the Passage”.