Saturday, October 9, 2010

Day 41

Day 41         Wolf Island, Tennessee,  MM 192 Tennessee River       
Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Another Tennessee cliff dweller

High water home


One of many unique boat launches



Chalk bluff



Sweet


Cherry Mansion




High water home

Wolf Island anchorage


 An interesting day that featured both the past, the present, and lots of interesting homes along the way.
 The present:  At Saltillo (mile marker 173) we were hailed on our marine radio by a woman in her home overlooking the river.  She saw our looper flag as we passed by.  She and her husband have completed the loop on their boat “Here and Now”.   What a hoot to hear from her … and a fun way for her to spend her day talking to loopers who go by.    
The past:  At Savannah (mile marker 189) we went by the Cherry Mansion which was built in 1830 by slave labor with bricks made on the riverbank.  It features 18-inch thick walls and served as headquarters for General Ulysses S. Grant during the battle of Shiloh. 

Total miles: 23       Total bridges:  1      Total locks:  0
Day 40         Tennessee,  MM 169.3 Tennessee River       
Monday, October 4, 2010
Stone staircase to the river

Anchorage

Our only neighbor at this anchorage was this bird

A slow, 2-hours cruise took us to an anchorage behind Swallow Bluff Island.  What can we say?  Another beautiful day, another beautiful and quiet anchorage.  Bacon-wrapped filet mignon for supper (from the Clifton grocery store). 
Total miles: 11      Total bridges:  1      Total locks:  0
Day 39   Clifton Tennessee,  MM 158.5 Tennessee River       
Sunday, October 3, 2010

Center home is built in an old lighthouse

Interesting deck



Channel marker in the front yard ... bet they love the barges at night


Watch the last step, Matey ... maybe a retired pirate lives here



Nice brickwork





Dream Catcher at Clifton Marina


Salt Shaker at Clifton Marina


Overlook at Clifton


Another sunny day, but the strong winds continued to blow, so we decided to go to Clifton Marina to get a slip for the night.  It turned out to be a great stop.  We borrowed the courtesy car and stocked up on supplies at the local grocery store.  We then enjoyed the evening (and some wine!) with fellow loopers Pat and Tony who have almost completed the loop on “Salt Shaker”.  Like Dream Catcher, Salt Shaker is an express cruiser.  It was fun to hear their stories and tips for traveling. 
Total miles: 10      Total bridges:  0      Total locks:  0
Day 38          Tennessee,  MM 148.5 Tennessee River       
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Scenic Tennessee River

A pretty day, but very windy.  We anchored behind Double Islands.  The wind continued to pick up and was very strong all night.  (We later heard that there were gusts up to 70 mph.)
It was homecoming at the University of Iowa, our alma mater.  It was the first time in over 35 years that we did not attend.  So we got online and purchase a sports package that will allow us to watch televised sporting events on our laptop.    We were able to cheer the Hawkeyes on to victory over Penn State 24 – 3.  Go Hawks!  We used Skype to see and talk to friends at our home port of Lindsay in Davenport, Iowa.  They were also enjoying the Hawkeye game.    

Total miles: 41       Total bridges:  2      Total locks:  0

No comments:

Post a Comment