Beech Creek TN. to Bay Springs Lake MS.

Oct. 9 – Oct. 18

We left our anchorage with Annies Song, and passed a little town of Clifton with a population of around 2600. Back in 1843 when the vote was taken for the location of Tennessee’s capital, Clifton lost by only one vote. That sure would have changed the scenery along this section of the river. Farther up river we went past Shiloh National Military Park. This is the site of the Civil War’s first major battle where the lives of 23,000 men were lost in just 2 days.

Never know what kind of animals you are going to see!

 

 Here is an interesting mode of transportation to get your boat in the water.

 

We went through Pickwick lock which took us up 55 feet and put us in Pickwick Lake (still part of the TN River). This will be our last lock going up. (It’s weird traveling south but going up stream). We pulled into a gorgeous bay called Dry Creek to anchor for one night. Now this bay was definitely not dry. It was several hundred yards wide, ½ mile long and 20+ feet deep all the way in.

 

The morning we left Dry Creek we traveled 7 miles to Aqua Marina MS. leaving behind the TN River and joining the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (it’s usually called the Tenn-Tom). We ended up staying at Aqua marina for 4 days because of strong thunderstorms and one day we even had tornado warnings. While here we borrowed the courtesy van and drove to Savannah TN. for groceries, the Post Office, and a hardware store, and Corinth MS. to tour the Civil War Interpretive Center where we learned about the battles that happen in that area.

Aqua Marina.

 

 

 These items were found at this site and put into the cement walkway.

 

On Tues. the 14^th we finally got a chance to move on. We travelled south through the Divide Cut which is a manmade canal 24 miles long & 280 ft. wide that connects the Tombigbee River to the Tennessee River. Once thru the Divide Cut, we arrived in Bay Springs Lake and then anchored in Piney Grove Bay. This anchorage is one of several dozen that can be found in this lake.

 

 Bald eagle.

 

While anchored here for 3 days we took the dinghy out exploring and found several boat launches to get off the boat and go for walks. One ramp led us to a State Park and the other had a Visitors Center which was near the next lock we will be going through. It was a great time for some minor boat repairs and R&R.

 

 Randy & Lou looking at our anchorage from the State park.

 

Cumberland Island Towhead KY. to Beech Creek Island TN.

Oct. 2 – Oct.8

This past week we travelled on the Cumberland River 30 miles to Lake Barkley. Once there we stayed at Green Turtle Marina for 2 days because of weather. There were high winds and a thunderstorm that came through. While there the marina put on a BBQ for all the Loopers that where there, which turned out to be about 80 people.

Anchorage at Cumberland Island Towhead.

 

Cruising up the Cumberland River.

 

After leaving Green Turtle Bay marina and went through a small channel to Kentucky Lake (which is part of the Tennessee River). The winds were still strong gusting at about 30 mph so we only went 9 miles and anchored in Pisgah Bay which is a very protected anchorage. We had planned on spending awhile in KY Lake anchoring in different bays and swimming but the temps. dropped to the 40’s at night and was barely pushing 70 during the day.

Sunrise at Pisgah Bay.

 

We moved on to another great place (Pebble Isle Marina) we found last year which serves the best catfish dinner we have ever eaten. The restaurant is only open on weekends so we pulled in on Sunday. There were 4 other Looper boats there and after we told everyone how good the food was all 10 of us decided to eat there for dinner. At 5:45 a member of the staff came out to the boats to tell us the marina had lost all power. The grill could be used for steaks or burgers but not the deep fryer for the catfish. Boy, were we disappointed but life does go on. 20 min. later they came back to tell us they had gotten a hold of a propane deep fryer so catfish was back on the menu. The staff also set out candles all over the restaurant so we could see to eat. Half way though our meal the power came back on along with the lights but we where having so much fun by candle light, we turned the lights back off.

Pebble Isle Marina, TN.

 

Cruising up the Tennessee River.

 

When we left Pebble Isle the weather was cool and rainy. As we traveled farther south and neared our anchorage by Beech Creek Island the skies cleared and temps. were back in the 80’s. Also anchored there were some friends we met last year in Marathon FL. (Lou & Annie) We invited them over and shared dinner on our boat.

 

Grafton IL. to Cumberland Island Towhead KY.

Sept. 23 – Oct. 1 2014

We stayed at Grafton Marina for 6 days waiting for the back log of earlier boats to clear out farther south. The Mississippi River was shut down for several days due to high waters. While at Grafton we did some cleaning on the boat, rode bikes & walked everyday, hung out by the pool and hot tub, took the courtesy van to the grocery store, and met more Loopers.

 

 

 Looking out at the junction of the Ill. & Miss. Rivers.

 

 Grafton marina.

 

 One of several steam driven cars in town for the weekend.

 

 Sunset at Grafton marina. (the rock wall is there to stop the water from washing the marina away)

 

Grafton IL is at mile 0 on the Ill. River so as soon as we left the marina, the water way joined the Miss. River. We traveled on the Miss. River 3 days for a total of 221 miles stopping at Hoppies marina for 1 night and Little Diversion Channel to anchor 1 night. The 3^rd day we turned off the Miss. River onto the Ohio River and anchored right in the river about 200 feet out of the main channel to stay out of the way of the tows and barges which run all night long. Once on the Ohio we traveled 58 miles to the Cumberland River where we are on anchor with 9 other boats.

 

 St. Louis MO

 

 Hoppies marina. Yes this is a marina! 3 barges tied together.

There is a building used for a boaters lounge and fuel is sold here.

 

 One of the tows we passed with 35 barges.

 

 Our anchorage at Little Diversion channel.

Hammond IN. to Grafton IL.

Thurs. Sept. 18, we entered the Calumet River along with a Canadian couple Jim & Mimi aboard Perfect Balance (they are also Looping). Getting back in the river system means being back in the land of, (or should I say water of) barges and tows. Oh My! After 2 locks and the Asian Carp electric fence we tied up at a free wall in Joliet IL.

Does Randy look happy to be back on the water??

 

 

 Locking thru with Perfect Balance.

 

Sept. 19 – Sept. 22 we continued down the IL. River with Jim & Mimi, staying in Ottawa, Peoria, and than Grafton Marina. Our weather has been mostly sunny getting in the 70’s during the day but cooling down into the upper 50’s at night.

2 of the locks we went thru the water was so high we didn't have to use the lock, but instead they lower wickets next to the lock chamber that boats float over top of. This is La Grange lock where the Lock Master let us tie up over night right on the lock wall.

 

 Jim, Randy, Sherri, & Mimi in Ottawa IL.

 

 White pelicans.

 

 We got to travel with the Nina & Pinta for one day.

 

 The scenery isn't all tows and barges.

Wed. Sept. 17, 2014

Holland MI. to Hammond Marina IN.

Priorities is back in the water after 6 weeks of being high and day. After painting the bottom, adding 2 more solar panels, new props, waxing, and cleaning she is ready to make another trip south. Sherri’s Dad got the OK to drive again after knee surgery so we are ready to head south too. We pulled out of our slip @ 6:15 am, waved goodbye to Sherri’s sister Deb who came to see us off and headed out the channel. After 10 hours on Lake MI. we arrived at Hammond Marina IN. Our ride today started out with 1 foot waves turned to 2-4 foot for a couple of hours and then flattened out for the rest of the way.

Randy finishing the bottom paint and putting the new props on.

 

 Brand new props!

 

 Last day getting everything ready to leave. Cold and wet weather, its time to head south.

 

 Looking back as we left Holland harbor.

 

 Beautiful sunrise to start the day.

 

 Chicago skyline.