The run to the lock was easy enough. We had learned to call ahead on the cell phone to let the lock master know we were on the way. So when I called Guntersville lock and he said 2 1/2 hours before we could go up - well that just screwed the pooch. Not only were we not going to get there early, it was looking like we couldn't get to Alred Marina before they closed. We had a tug/barge in front of us and this guy was having issues.
The current from the lock/dam was running strong and I'm not saying that I'm any kind of expert boat captain, but it's not my real job either. So we sit and watch this tug driver first get stuck on the bank and then not be able to get his barges in the lock. This was the first time we had seen how the tug puts barges in the lock and then goes up after them. That's all cool, but they won't let us go up with the tug so we end up anchored waiting 3 1/2 hours to lock up.
Tom and I have the same boat insurance agent and he owns Alred Marina. That makes me think its a good place to stop and it is a nice place. Jon's brother stays late and meets us after closing time, we get a car and nice spot to dock, but the fuel prices just went back to Katrina days!!! After a great seafood dinner in town, we get back to the boat and crash for the night.
I'm certain it must be 3AM when I hear my engines start up and all kinds of other noises outside. After finding my glasses and phone, I determine it is 6 AM and Tom is up and has us moving. What in the world is going on??? Takes me a few to get it together and get outside. We're idling down the channel and Tom is reminding me that we loose an hour today between Central and Eastern time zones.
My math on our last day's run is wrong because I transposed numbers in the river mile location for Chickamauga. Instead of 60, we are 104 miles from destination. Good thing we are moving. Today I decide to call the locks way earlier than we had been. There are only two head us us - Nickajack and Chickamauga. Nickajack tells us they have just locked down a boat and the lock is ready for us. No delay. Zip right through.
Now the lock master did tell me he had just locked up two tug/barges. So we were looking, trying to figure if they could hold us up ahead. We caught the first one in a narrow part of the channel where the current is raging. This is crazy, but we take him on the inside and get away from the prop mess behind him. I catch the second one just before Chattanooga in Moccasin Bend. We get around, but have to stop at Ross's Landing for some fuel to be able to get to Chickamauga.
The final few miles are a breeze. The lock is waiting on us and the marina is right past the dam. We arrive and meet all the Erwin folks who have helped us so much. Found our slip and set it up. Toasted the trip and went to dinner. We're here, finally here, our first adventure is over. Now what's next?
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