May 21, 2013, Pebble Isle Marina, Mile 96 on the Tennessee River

Tuesday:  We were glad we got here when we did.  Last night and today we have had several thunder storms.  It was good to relax and sleep in this morning.  It was also good to get our walk in between the rain storms.  My favorite dog, River, no longer lives here but when we started our walk this morning a friendly dog walked all the way with us.  We have no idea who he belongs to.  It almost felt like River was with us again.  I will bring my dog treats tomorrow just in case he shows up again.  It is that time of year again when the female turtles make their journey to their birth place to lay their eggs.  We saw two this morning.  This was a lazy day.  We got a few things done around the boat and went to town in the afternoon.

Mom turtle laying her eggs.

May 20, 2013: Pebble Isle Marina, New Johnsonville, TN

Monday:  We slept in an hour later than usual but we still got going by 06:30.  It started out real sunny and 72 degrees but the sun went be hind the clouds shortly there after and about 09:15 we got a few sprinkles.  After that, the rest of the day was partly sunny but very hot and humid.  We got to Pebble Isle about 12:30 and filled up with diesel and got a pump out.  Roy El got here about an hour later.  Randy, the owner, is trying to find us a covered slip but for now we are both at the transient dock.  We will be here for the summer and Roy El will only be here for a week before heading up the Cumberland River to Nashville.  Our friend Barry joined us for dinner tonight; it was my turn to cook.

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CO's comments:  What the XO didn't tell you was the CO cooked some excellent brats on the grill.  It was good visiting with our old friend Barry.

5-20-2013:  Delta Mariner, carries rockets for space craft.  This is the same ship that went under the wrong  side of a bridge on the Tennessee River a few years back and collapsed the bridge.  We are pretty sure the Delta Mariner has a new Captain!

5-20-2013:  One of several working dredges we saw on the river today.

May 19, 2013 - Clifton Marina, Tennessee, Mile 158.5

Sunday:  We got going by 06:30 and met up with Roy El when we entered the Tennessee River at Mile 215.2 where we had 7 miles to go to the Pickwick Lock.  The lock was ready with doors opened when we got there.  The main lock was closed down for some work so we had to go through the auxiliary lock and use a starboard tie.  All that worrying about the back up of  tows at this lock and it turned out to be a piece of cake.  This was the last lock of our trip for a total of 13; 12 on the Tenn-Tombigbee Waterway and one on the Tennessee River.

It was another pretty day with the temps in mid 80's.  The Tennessee River is as beautiful as ever and it was a very relaxing ride to our marina in Clifton, TN.  This is the first time we have been to this marina and it is really a quaint little place.  We got here early and had a cheeseburger in their little cafe, very good.

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CO's comments:  We encountered 4 tows today.  Only one would respond to my call and give me an indication of which side to pass him on.  This is the first time that we have encountered tow captains that would not speak to us.  We have met in our travels over 900 tows and they have all been very courteous and appreciative of our calls.  Maybe it was because it was Sunday and they did not want to be working.  This is 180 degree turn around from the tow we met yesterday.





5-19-2013:  Many beautiful homes along the river.  We liked this one.

5-19-2013: Both Roy El and Kim Jo IV tied at the transient dock at Clifton Marina

5-19-2013:  Clifton Marina at night