Day 112 & 113 Tennessee River: Guntersville Lake
Day 112: November 7: Great day to travel. Cruising in the warmth is so enjoyable and it beats boating in the cold. We certainly paid our dues, hanging in through the bitter coldf to be rewarded with this weather.
We left the dock at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur along with Zendeavor and Hearken. John contacted the Decatur railroad bridge asking for a lift, noting we could see a train rattling over the tracks. The bridge-tender responded right away in a kindly southern manner, telling us as soon as the train passed he would lift the bridge and get us on our way. We idled for a what seemed a very long time; even Hearken called over the radio about the length of the train. Car after car rambled by; was there really an end?
On one side of the train bridge was this large house. It looks pretty nice with a dock sitting in the water but being this close to the bridge doesn't seem like something I would enjoy.
Soon after we went through the bridge we noticed a powerful, pungent odor. It didn't take long to find the source. I can't imagine living here, smelling that all day; I guess folks just get used to it, especially if you are a cat lover.
Traveling along the river, we saw that we had probably just missed the really vibrant fall colors. The hills in the background did take on a pretty gray/blue hue which doesn't show too well in the pictures. Orange clay formed a base to several islands that popped up here and there. There are lots of small inlets beckoning fishermen to run in an out hoping to catch dinner. Barge traffic has dramatically decreased but there was the occasional work site along the way.
Today we we enjoyed two spectacular rock formations. The first caught our attention because of its shades of gray and blue, unique from most of the cliffs we have seen thus far.
The second, Painted Bluff, is perhaps, one of the most important rock-art sites in Alabama and the southeastern U.S. Images drawn on the cliff, which include. fish, snakes, animals and human figures date back 600 years to the Mississippian Period. They are examples of rock art that played a significant role in prehistoric religion. Through artwork, people felt connected with nature and their faith. Threatened by vandals, rock climbers and weather, the cliff was named to the 2013 Places in Peril list and is being managed by the TVA.
We passed through the Guntersville Lock, onto Guntersville Lake.
Time and Tide, Zendeavor and we made our way to Guntersville City Harbor where there is an 800 foot "L" shaped floating pier. The piers are well constructed and include fenders, cleats and ramps. There are no utilities but also no docking fee. There is something like a boardwalk with plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance. Country music was being piped from one of the stores. It is really a great spot for boaters.
NEBO showed another Looper, (Seahorse who had just turned gold) heading upriver toward the harbor. Soon she pulled in and we walked over to help with lines. In Looper fashion, we chatted for awhile before leaving Dee and Robert to get settled. We founnd out this was their last stop before heading home to Goose Pond Harbor.
Sandra and I took a quick walk to explore the town. The best part was right on the boardwalk near the dock. It is situated right on the lake. As we walked on the dock overlooking Lake Guntersville, we marveled at how beautiful it looked. A man standing nearby heard us and started a conversation. Originally from Michigan, he and his wife moved to Alabama a couple of years ago, a move they are grateful for! When we told him we were traveling on boats he became pretty interested in hearing about the Great Loop. He said he saw the boats and wondered how the MA boat had made it to Alabama. Before we headed back to the boat we suggested he would make a perfect harbor host for the AGLCA. He seemed interested; we'll see if he signs up.
All 4 couples for dinner at the Brewers Cooperative just up from the dock. Local beer, fish and fries, fried green tomatoes and sausage was all delicious.
 |
| Slàinte Mhath enjoying a pleasant stop after traveling 47 NM in just over 6.5 hours |
Day 113: November 8: David, Sandra and I walked a few miles to town to a hardware store to purchase a fan. Almost to the dock, we saw Seahorse pulling out of the harbor, heading home after their long journey.
We prepared to get UW; Time and Tide said they would wait for awhile since we were all planning on pulling into Goose Pond Colony Marina in Scottsboro, AL for fuel; it wouldn't make sense for all 3 boats to try to pull up to a fuel dock at the same time so Jason said he would hold back and give us time to do what we needed to do. David had contacted a few marinas and found this one to have the cheapest prices at $.4.29 per gallon. John led the way out of the harbor.
Travel to Goose Pond. The number of fishermen continues to increase. I guess when you have freshwater lakes you have to fish.
We arrived at Goose Pond and immediately knew where it got its name. Hundreds of coot surrounded the area, floating everywhere. Flocks scooted across the water through what looked like marsh, as we made our way into the narrow but well marked channel. Depths were a bit sketchy; John very slowly made his way to the marina, noting he did see a 4.5 foot for a split second.
We took on 205 gallons of diesel, filled the water tanks and got a pump out (no cost). Friendly staff! We were just about finished and ready to leave when Time and Tide arrived. Good timing for all!
We traveled 45 NM in 6 hours and 20 minutes, arriving what is left of the Widows Bar Lock & Dam in Jackson County, AL. The lock was once located 407 miles above the mouth of the Tennessee River, near the river's confluence with Widow's Creek. When the TVA gained control of flood control and navigation improvement operations in the Tennessee Valley in the 1930's, Widows Bar was considered too high maintenance and it was dismantled. The concrete walls left behind served as a pretty nice free dock.
Comments
Post a Comment