November 4, 2017 - Side Trip to Chattanooga, TN

Just a quick note before I start.  We have been over 3300 miles and 6 months since we left; both about the half way point to our loop trip.  All is well with the exception of our looper burgee.  It has taken a beating.  It's faded and separating at the seams.  Don't think it is going to make it but we are leaving up for as long as it will hold together.  And here I thought I would be the one that be a bit ragged around the edges! :)

One of the things Ken and I had pretty much decided before we even left our home dock, was to make a side trip to Chattanooga, TN.  Everyone we had talked to or had read about it, was that town was well worth the 500 mile round trip.  I will say, I really enjoyed it, even though the weather was a bit hit and miss.  We set out from Florence, Alabama on October 25th for the 4 day trip up the Tennessee River.  On our way we locked through at Wilson Lock and Dam which had the highest water level change at 93'.  Pretty cool view, as unlike other locks, instead of lock doors there was a single gate that lowered into the water that we then boated over as we left.  Only panicky moment was what met us as we watched the gate lower and a 3 X 4 tow came into view.  We were sure there was no room for us to maneuver out of the lock and around the tow.  Gosh, now what do we do, but we quickly realized that there was plenty of room though still pretty daunting to pass it.  Glad to leave that behind us.  Literally!!  Our first night found us anchoring out Carter's Creek.  Great anchorage, beautiful night and "BAT BUGS".  Yes, you read right, Bat Bugs.  I have no idea what they really were but they attached themselves to Independence and just hung there like bats.  There were dozens of them having a sleep over, anywhere they could find a place to hang.  They appeared to be harmless but needless to say, they got the outside of the boat and we took refuge on the inside.

Wilson Lock and Dam, Tennessee River - A 93' rise in water on our way to Chattanooga and the highest water level change of all the locks we will encounter.

Wilson Lock and Dam, Tennessee River - Notice between Independence and the tow, a gate that is lowering into the lock on the left and almost gone on the right.  Felt odd knowing that when we left the lock, the gate wall us under us.

Wilson Lock and Dam, Tennessee River - Here is the        3 X 4 tow that met us outside the lock.  We have been up close to tows before but not this close.  The crewman standing on the bow in the pic below gives an idea of why we definitely feel a bit like David to Goliath.

Our "Bat Bug" neighbors at Carter's Creek on the Tennessee River.  

Creepy little things!!!!  

   

We did find one the next morning, below.  Not any better looking by the light of day.

The next couple of days were quiet as we continued up river to Chattanooga.  It was misty and cool most of the time but it did not de-track from the beauty of fall colors and clam waters.  And we got to enjoy the 26 mile long Tennessee River Gorge also known as 'Tennessee's Grand Canyon'.  We followed it the rest of the way into Chattanooga.

The Tennessee River Gorge, Tennessee River

We arrived in Chattanooga the morning of day 4 and tied up at the downtown city docks.   We were between two bridges, the Walnut Street walking bridge and N. Market Street traffic bridge.  It was a peaceful refuge in the middle of the city.  We were within easy walking distance from the Tennessee Aquarium, great eats and beautiful parks.  We mapped out our initial visit and headed out the next morning across the Walnut Street bridge to walked to the waterfront where we could see downtown Chattanooga and Independence nuzzled up against the bluff.  We crossed back by way of the N. Market Street bridge and had lunch at Moe's BBQ, delicious.  We then headed to the Tennessee Aquarium.  Really glad we went.  It was split between freshwater and ocean environments.  The freshwater was one continuous journey starting in the Tennessee mountains and tracking the water flow all the way to the gulf.  It was excellent and getting to see the animal life along the way was amazing.  We spent so much time here that by the time we got to the ocean environment we were a bit foot sore and getting tired.  Even though we did not spend as much time in the ocean exhibits, it was well worth it.

Chattanooga, TN - Tennessee River.  This is the view out the port side of Independence of the Walnut Street Walking Bridge.  And to our delight, the bridge was lighted at night and reflected off the water.  Awesome!

The Walnut Street walking bridge - A great walk with views of the city.  Pic above from the bridge is Independence with the aquarium to the right (see pyramid glass peaks on top of the red buildings).  In the background is Lookout Mountain.

Riverwalk Trial across from downtown.  Independence in the background.

Some of my favorite creatures from the aquarium.  The turtle in the top left is asleep.  Nothing too unusual except his back leg is propped up like he is swimming in his dreams.  Did you know lemurs have yellow eyes, top right.  This guy kept his eyes on me, too cute.  They even had a butterfly enclosure.  The monarch, left pic, stayed still long enough for a good pic.  My favorite was blue but refused to land and though not too fast, was too fast for me to capture in a pic.  The penguins were adorable but this fellow, right pic, was a real show-off.  He was flapping his wings, shouting and jumping but also posed in between.  Had to reward all his effort by including him.  

On our way back from the aquarium, we came through the Passage (pic to right), which is a walking link between downtown and the river.  Here we discovered a permanent outdoor exhibit known as the "Trail of Tears", which represents the forced removal of seven clans of the Cherokee Nation to Oklahoma, where 4000 died before reaching it.  The exhibit is a set of seven segments of steps with flowing water and six foot ceramic disks, that tell the story and history of the Cherokee Nation.  Very moving.

To the right, we were met by a grey heron, guarding our boat.  So graceful and exotic.  Great day!

The following day, which was Halloween, we rented a car and headed out to explore Lookout Mountain and the surrounding area.   Lookout Mountain is actually in 3 states...Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.  Not only does it have stunning natural attractions, it was also part of fierce fighting during the Civil War to take control of Chattanooga, a key in the path to the invasion of Georgia by the Union army, led by General William T. Sherman.  We all know how that ended and I had never really understood how important Chattanooga was to blocking the Union advance.

Our first destination on Lookout Mountain was Ruby Falls.  Ruby Falls itself is a 145' waterfall that is underground.  It was discovered in 1928 by Leo Lambert and a crew of excavators which was located over 1120' below the surface of the mountain.  The falls were named for his wife, Ruby.  After a taking an elevator down and a mile walk we arrived at Ruby Falls but not before seeing beautiful formations.  Above left is Ruby's chandelier and to the right, awesome limestone flows.  We passed many name formations, like the  Beehives, bottom left.  Others were flights of great imagination such as Dragon's Foot, Fish, Bacon and potato chips.  But the highlight was definitely the falls, bottom right.  It just took my breathe away, not only by its beauty but also by the fact that the source of the waters that create the fall are still unknown.  Truly gorgeous.

After Ruby Falls we went to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park at Point Park on Lookout Mountain.  Here we found very well documented timeline of the fall of Chattanooga, known as the "gateway" to the Confederacy.  It was so in your face to read and see where family fought against family and friends.  I pray we have learned from this horrific experience and will never have to come to arms again in our own country.

View of from artillery battery at Point Park looking down on the City of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River.  Notice canon wheel to the right.

At the end of the day, we were met by our grey heron when we got back to the boat.

There was a sad part of our visit.  On our last day in the city, Roofus got sick.  We had noticed red in her urine and knew she needed to see a vet as soon as possible.  We found one about a mile away which we walked and we were lucky to get an early morning appointment.  After a through exam, urine analysis and an x-ray, we were able to rule out a bladder stone.  She had already had surgery for a stone a few years ago and knew that she would most likely not be able to tolerate another surgery.  Without having to go through further extensive testing she was treated for a UTI.  She started antibiotics immediately and spent the rest of the day resting and being treated like the princess she is.  Not that that is any different than any other day, though she did get extra hugs and kisses.  And for the next two days, I slept with her on the couch so she could be near water, food and her piddle pads.  Poor baby but after the first day we have seen no more blood, so pray she is on the mend.

The next day we headed back down the Tennessee river and to Florence, AL.  The weather was cloudy, foggy and misty but still a very scenic.

Lookout Mountain as we leave Chattanooga, TN

Carrion birds gathering in a dead tree along the Tennessee River.  Not something you see everyday.

Early morning mists and fog on the Tennessee River.

Fall in full beauty on the Tennessee River Gorge.  Love the reflections on the river.

We even saw white pelicans along the way.

Joe Wheeler lock on our way to Florence, AL.  The water was so calm.

Back in Florence, AL we started planning the next leg of our great adventure...the Tenn-Tom Waterway, a 450 mile, 12 lock trip that will bring us to Mobile, AL.  But more about that in our next posting.

PS from Roofus:
It's been a tough few days but my humans have really pampered me.  All I want to do is sleep and pee.  Well, eating in between too, of course.  Though I do not like being poked and held by strange people, I am now getting to have twice as many cookies for breakfast and dinner from my Dad human, love you Dad.  (Note from Mom human, she is taking 2 antibiotics along with her other to meds for the next 2 weeks before each meal.)  I did miss sleeping in my bed, well the bed I share with my humans.  Mom slept with me in the salon.  I know I was peeing constantly but hey, a girl has to do what she has to do.  It would have just been a tiny tinkle in the bed and not sure what the big deal was about but at least my Mom human suffered two nights away from bed too.  I guess she really does love me.