Fall Tennessee River Trip

[BB marine]

This year our Loop Segment will be a side trip of the Tennessee river 628 miles this year and completing 652 miles of the Tennessee river. Just another small portion of the Loop and Its side trips. One more year to go for both of us to be retired! Any Tugs or Cuts located on this water way with suggestions of marinas, anchorages, restaurants would be appreciated. Anyone that has done this trip and would share their experiences would also be appreciated. I have put together a tentative itinerary. Most Loopers say don't have a schedule but we unfortunately have to because of a work schedule. We have 15 days on the water and 2 days for logistics of moving our Truck and Trailer from Knoxville Tn. to Grand Rivers Ky. and back to Chicago. 9/27 to 10/14. I may do some of the logistics earlier then the start date to give added time on the water.
Day
Launch at Fox Road Marina. 1
West Knoxville

Afternoon in Knoxville and. 2. Football game not in Knoxville this weekend
down river cruise to Duncan.
Boat Dock

Ft. Loudoun Marina. 3.

Terrace View Resort. 4.
Spring City

Chickamauga Marina 5.

Erwin Marine River Front. 6. Chattanooga

Goose Pond Marina 7.

Ditto Landing 8.

Joe Wheeler State Park. 9.

Florence Harbor maina 20.9 miles
JP Coleman State Park. 57 miles 10. Two Locks to go thru, delays control distances.
Grand Harbor Marina. 61.7 miles

Clifton Marina. 11.

Light House Landing, Grand Rivers Ky. 12. Our ending point. Time to spend a few days with Tug and Cut owners.
Brenda and Marty Cutwater 28 Snapshot
Libby and Ron. Ranger Tug. TUG O' My Heart

Any suggestions are appreciated, Hopefully we will see some Rangers and Cutwaters in our travels. We are always open to meeting for Docktails.

 

[Bruce Moore]

John and Laurie Grays Great Loop blog is a great resource. GL Part 14 focuses on the Tennessee River.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Crewdog]

Try to schedule Knoxville for a University of Tennessee home game:
Volunteer Navy Boaters Association

Whitestone Inn is nice, and has a small dock on the river.

Tiger Haven near Kingston, TN is pretty cool.

Take the time to visit Shiloh National Battlefield and reflect.

Visit the Scopes Monkey Trial Museum in Dayton, TN

Take the Ghost Tour of Hales Bar Dam

Huntsville Space & Rocket Center

Downtown Chattanooga has lots of new brewpubs and neat restaurants.

Try to get to see the divers hand feed the rays at Tennessee Acquarium

 

[BB marine]

Thank you for the responses John and Laurie's Blog looks like a good read all the way through the Loop. I appreciate the suggestions Bill and Nicole. I will look at location of the sites posted in relationship to where we will be staying.

 

[thataway]

Bill on the Ranger Tug 23," Mystery Girl" did the Tennessee and Cumberland this Spring, and his blog is here He also posted some of his trip on the C Brat site.

Five of the C Dorys are going to do the reverse of this cruise in Sept. (including Thataway) There has been some planning and a lot of information posted in the C Brat forum. There are some links to research done by several of the members of this group which are worth following up.

Also Active Captain, even in its current incarnation is still a wealth of information. Do you have the Corp of Engineers chart book for the Tennessee River? Also buy the Jerry Hays Tennessee River Guide It has many features you would otherwise miss.

Enjoy the River!

 

[BB marine]

After a 570 mile drive (Towingthe PORT-A-GEE is berthed at Fox Road Marina Knoxville Tn. We are leaving Thursday to spend the day in Knoxville and head down stream completing the complete Tennessee River. Hopefully we will see some Tugs and Cuts on the way. Thanks for the suggestions and messages. All were helpful.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Brian,

Have a great trip down the Tennessee River, and enjoy the fall colors as you go. Your trip is near and dear to my heart... grew up in Chattanooga (Signal Mountain), went to school in Knoxville and Lake Chickamauga was my playing ground. I've lived out here in the PNW for over forty years, but you never forget the memories. I will look forward to any posts you make on your trip.

Clear skies, flat water and safe travels!

Bob & Kim Giles
The Doghouse 2

 

[NorthernFocus]

... One more year to go for both of us to be retired!....

Your schedule will look significantly different then 😀

 

[BB marine]

Your schedule will look significantly different then

Yes, schedule and logistics will be different. We are looking forward to that.

 

[BB marine]

Our trip has put 300 miles under our keel. Beautiful scenery!!! Only issues with the boat, fueling and very high engine compartment temperatures. When I see compartment temperature above 155F with exhaust blower on I run with engine hatch open for half hour to cool it down. It takes half hour and it’s right back up to 155F. I did see it get as high as 158F. We have updated our Blog. Blog is in signature.