A day to go an hour

I didn't have a chance last night to update the blog, why you ask? Long day! 75 miles traveled fighting a very strong current the entire way. All said and done we put 12 hours on the engine yesterday (idling at lock was some of that time). I labeled this post "a day to go an hour" because in a car, we'd be zipping along at 75 MPH, not 75 MPH day. :)

The current was strong due to recent rains. It also made the river mostly a muddy brown color. For good measure and to make things fun we got to see various logs and large branches floating past now and again. We had hoped to leave Alred at 8 a.m. Atlanta time but that turned out to be an actual departure time of 9:20. I didn't think it'd be a problem but I had not anticipated the current would be as strong. We usually cruise at about 1,700-1,800 RPMs and that yields about 7 knots for cruising speed. Yesterday we had to do 2,000-2,100 RPMs and that only yielded a cruise speed of 5.5 knots and occasionally we would find a lull in the current and then we'd go real fast at that RPM and do about 6 knots. Pretty much though we did about 5.2 to 5.5 knots most all day and just below the lock and dam we were doing a lightening fast 4.5 knots. Despite that, it was a fun day!

Some pictures and more details....

The day started off cool and cloudy (50-55 degrees??). It stayed that way until about 2 p.m. when the sun finally came out.

At one point I had to sound the alarm that we were being overtaken by pirates. Upon further inspection though I discovered it was merely a false alarm. I was able to snap a picture of the vessel that caused the concern:

One of the multiple tree trunks floating down the river:

Afternoon view on the bridge. Once the sun came out it was a very nice day and warm(er):

This is an old car ferry. I am not sure if it is in use anymore or not? We used to have to cross a river on one of these to visit my grandparent's farm when I was young. No bridge so you hop on the ramped barge and the ferry shuttles you to the other side of the river and you go on your way.

Calm day:

Beautiful!

Sun is getting low. Notice the channel marker in the foreground- you can see the current swirling around it.

Just getting to Nickajack Lock. We had radioed ahead 2 miles downstream to let them know we were coming up river and hoped to be able to lock through and would they be so kind as to have it open on the downstream end. Most times the lockmasters are happy to do this for you so you don't have to wait. Not this time though- lock master insisted he be able to see me physically arriving before he would prep the lock. He didn't answer our multiple haling calls on the VHF once we got there so I had to call on my cell phone. So- despite it getting dark, us being in relatively unfamiliar waters, etc. we had to wait 30 minutes for the lock to be made ready for us.

Due to the wait at the lock I had some time to snap some pictures. You can see the holes for the venturi shield brackets that I still need to install in the foreground so just pretend I have it already installed. :)

In the lock with dad doing bow duty:

Lock doors shutting:

First time locking through at/around dark!

We did not make it to Hales Bar Marina as hoped due to our late start and the current. It was dark when we got out of the lock and I was not about to run another hour up river in the dark! Luckily there are some very nice free docks at a state recreation area just a few hundred yards from Nickajack Lock so we made our way over there last night in the dark. Our 8KW Northern Lights generator gave us power to turn the stove, heater, etc. all on. It was a very peaceful night. It got down to about 39 outside though so definitely nice to crank the heater up this morning!

Time to get out of bed, eat, shower, and enjoy a cup of coffee before we start our 52 mile run up to Island Cove and our home marina. I think I could sleep another couple of hours but perhaps the coffee will change that.

P.S. Boat ran great again today. The trip down river last month was her longest trip in many years but yesterday was definitely her longest day and longest running time in a day in a long, long time. It is so great to see all the work we have done and had done over the winter has come together to make her ship shape and running and working like the happy little trawler she is.