Into Tennessee

Joan and Mary Lou visit Water Dancer (and baby bird, Linus)

Colors on the Tennessee


Oct. 14-22
Barkley Lake, KY to Pickwick Landing, TN


Saturday October 14, we left Green Turtle - a nice sunny day and we headied to Paris Landing. Anther state – now we are in Tennessee. This is a nice state park with a nice lodge and camping area. Lots of Gibson houseboats here – Chris would love it. On Sunday October 15 we arrived at Pebble Isle Marina in New Johnsonville, TN The weather forecast doesn’t sound very good for tomorrow - 80% chance of thunderstorms and high winds. Thought the weather was supposed to warm up but it’s not sounding good for anchoring for a couple days. The trees are starting to change colors although not as brilliant as Michigan. We are going through nature preserves and supposedly Bald Eagles are here but we haven’t seen any yet. We did see two small deer wander down to the water’s edge. When we got to Pebble Isle, it was sunny and warm but still fall is in the air. They put us in a covered slip since their transient dock is getting pretty full. We walked around and talked to lots of loopers who are here, we hadn’t met any of them before although a couple boats we had seen at Green Turtle. Went to the restaurant here and had their catfish and hush puppies. It was OK.
On Monday October 16, we woke up to rain and wind. It’s in the 50s and nasty out. Worked on my scrapbook and just stayed inside. It rained all day and the evening and night brought high winds that shook the boat even though we were in a covered slip. Good thing, at least the boat didn’t get all wet up in the flybridge area.
On Tuesday it was a bit warmer but still drizzling and foggy this morning. Took a walk over to a historic site of a Civil War battle in Johnsonville at the state park here.
On Wednesday October 18, we woke up to fog but it’s slowly receding so we left at about 9 am. Weather forecast is good although more storms predicted tomorrow. So we decided to try to get all the way to Clifton Marina where we are supposed to meet Joan and Mary Lou on Friday. Turned out to be a beautiful day in the 80s and sunny. I spent some time riding on the bow and was rewarded by seeing turtles and lots of beautiful color in the hardwood trees. Lots of cliffs and hills, very scenic area. Saw the remains of an old warehouse building that was never destroyed after the River was dammed up. Also, an old railroad bridge with only a couple spans – it goes nowhere.
Friday October 20, Joan and Mary Lou stopped for a few hours this afternoon on their way back north, after the rendevous. It was good to see them. We spent six weeks with them during our Erie Canal experience. Joan loved Linus "baby bird" and is his biggest fan. She spent the afternoon with Linus on her shoulder and she brought gifts for us, Linus and Sneakers. She also won Sneakers heart (and her stomach) by offering cat treats. They brought us up to date on the information they got at the Rendevous about lock closings and the best way to cross the Gulf. We had a great visit and were sorry when they had to leave.We will stay here in Clifton TN till Saturday and then head to the Pickwick Lock and Dam area. Once we pass the lock, we will be on the Tennessee River but at the edge of Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Our friends from Michigan, Chuck and Cheryl Hetrick are coming down to this area to see us the first week of November. We are taking our time in this area of the country since our boat insurance says we can't be south of Demopolis AL till Nov 15. That should put us in Mobile, AL by Thanksgiving. We have no cell phone reception at the marina in Clifton but do have WiFi. I have a feeling that our phone reception will be spotty down through these rivers till we get to Mobile, Al. So if you can't contact us that's why. We do have reservations in Ft. Myers, FL at Legacy Harbor Marina from December 15 – February 15. Then we plan to head to Ft. Lauderdale and down to the Keys for the month of March. Sunday October 22 - Came yesterday into Pickwick Landing, got through the lock with just a short wait. Another nice day to travel, even saw cows drinking at the rivers edge. And saw some nice colors and pretty cliffs and the homes along the river are built on stilts. Turned cooler today, in the 60s.