Traveled today and pulled into Riverwalk Marina, Decatur, Al. around 3:00 pm this afternoon. Marina is just before the traffic bridge and right after the railroad bridge. 

The railroad draw bridge was the first one we had to have opened for us.  Both are full of cars and trains.

We can see the Meow Mix plant just down the river. Pretty industrial part of our travels so far. Enjoyed a bite at the " Hard Dock Cafe" and watched the sunset. 

On our way here we passed the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant. Noticed how the fishing boats like to fish right off the Plant because the fish seem to like the " warmer water" from the Plant's discharge. Mmmmm.....

Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant



Hard Dock Cafe sunset over Decatur, Al.

 

Oct. 11-18

2015 AGLCA Fall Rendezvous, 10/14-17

We arrived a couple of days early at Joe Wheeler State Park, Rogersville, Alabama to get situated and the boat organized.  A few were here already, most coming after to total about 70 boats. It was quite a sight to see as the marina crew ran from one dock to another to assist with landings of groups of 5 or 6 at a time.  Someone flew a drone taking pictures:(http://mkmartin.com/csa/JW2015/). 

We had 4 days of classes on route details, navigation, medical preparedness, safety issues and  marine communications.  There were group breakfasts, lunches, beer and wine receptions and dinners.  The 265 participants got to know each other and exchange information and travel plans.  It was a great experience.

Sunrise. Spiders get to work.

This years' cotton crop

This morning most headed out enmasse with an organized plan to get through the nearby down bound locks heading to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway that leads down to Mobile and the Gulf of Mexico.

We will wait on that  and continue up river towards Chattanooga for a side trip, chilling here for another day to let the crowd disperse a bit.  No class today!

October 11, 2015

Left Florence to tackle the next two Locks - the deepest we will encounter on the entire journey - the Wilson Lock and the Wheeler Lock. I may have already said this but the Wilson Lock pours in or out over 64 million gallons of water each time it raises or lowers boat traffic. No problem - we're old hands at this now.

October 8, 9, 10, 2015

Some pictures of boating down the Tennessee. The river and dam system on the of the Tennessee River is controlled by the Tennessee Valley Authority. I have not done the research but have heard that back in the 1920's when the dams were built and valleys were flooded many homesteaders lost their land to the TVA. So there are areas on the River where you can see remnants of previous times.
Building the Dams and the Locks and controlling the flooding was done to make the River navigable for commerce.

October 7, 2015

Locking through Pickwick Lock. It was going to be our first time going through a lock and this one was going to raise us up 64 feet. We left Clifton Marina with three other boats, all of us heading to the lock together. By the time the India Jayne arrived there we were alone as the other boats arrived ahead of us and, uncharacteristically, got locked right through. When the Lockmaster opened the huge gates and rang the loud bell we timidly floated in and looped a bollard. The gates closed and we were alone in this giant concrete pool.

Here we go...got to find a Bollard to loop on to...

Yep, those doors are holding back the flood

Kit drives the boat, I get to handle the lines

They raised us up and they let us out

50 mile day for us

Small Marina

October 4, 2015

Snugged in by the dock

Sunrise

October 5, 2015

From Paris Landing to Pebble Isle Marina to Clifton Marina to Florence Marina. All good overnight spots. Met friendly boater everywhere. In Florence we rode our folding bikes into town. We visited the log cabin where W.C.Handy was born in 1873. We also rode by a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and ate dinner at City Hardware. Next day we were off to conquer our first Lock.

Florence Harbor Marina, Alabama   

Home of W.C. Handy -" Father of the Blues"

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright