Going home for the Holidays

A beautiful sunrise as we leave... Then the weather starts to turn as the day goes on.
By that afternoon we had a full-blown storm with lightning and winds gusting to 40mph.
But it moves on after a while and turns into a beautiful afternoon.

On giving thanks

Obviously we all enjoy our computers or we wouldn't be blogging or reading said blogs. So during this holiday season maybe we should share this technology and experience the joy of unselfishly giving without feeling the gratification of personally seeing the smiles our gifts bring.

This article explains it all clearly... Click here

One learning child. One connected child. One laptop at a time.
The mission of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is to empower the children of developing countries to learn by providing one connected laptop to every school-age child. In order to accomplish our goal, we need people who believe in what we’re doing and want to help make education for the world’s children a priority, not a privilege. Between November 12 and November 26, OLPC is offering a Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada. During this time, you can donate the revolutionary XO laptop to a child in a developing nation, and also receive one for the child in your life in recognition of your contribution. One learning child. One connected child. One laptop at a time.

You probably have heard about this cause but if you haven't, read here about the OLPC (One Laptop per Child). We truly believe this is a wonderful program and a lot of people and organizations have put tons of money and effort into this.

Giving thanks for the wonderful life that working in the technology industry has given us... We think this is an exceptional idea for a gift that will keep giving.

After reading the articles... Think of the possibilities!

Happy days

Happy Thanksgiving

Joe Wheeler Park and Marina

In the early morning light.

The color

Woke up early on this cool and clear morning. Took the camera with me while I walked Radar and got a few pics of the color around Joe Wheeler State Park. Caught this little guy watching the sun come up.
The color at the park was even better than on first stay a week ago.

Happy days

The Eagles

Not much to say about the eagles... Saw a few off in the distance and as we worked the boat over closer to them they seemed annoyed and flew away. The light was not good so the shots are a little blurry. It's really nice that we have eagles on the Tennessee all year long. Good sign the river is getting cleaner.


This guy gave me moment to snap a few off but then....
He too took off.


Happy days

On the way home

So it's a beautiful morning as we leave Hales Bar and start our way back home. The fresh early light makes Painted Bluff glow. And the closer we get the more it glows...
The colors are really amazing...
Then we see our first Eagle. He's off in the distance so the pic is a little fuzzy.
Then as we round the bend toward Goose Pond Marina the sky changes
The wind picks up and the makings of a storm are in the air.

Chattanooga Downtown

Finally bandwidth!! Downtown Chattanooga is always fun. Plenty to do. Restaurants, museums, Imax theater, and not just a great aquarium but two great aquariums. The folks in Chattanooga seem to be very laid back and nice. Memphis and Nashville could take a lesson or two from these folks when it comes to hospitality.
Radar does his glamour shot at the steps in front of the water cannons. He is quite a natural at this... we do not pose him... we just wait until he is ready for his picture to be taken.

and this is just a weird picture of an old wooden sailboat. Has nothing to do with anything I just liked the color and patina of the old wood.

While here we met a very nice couple. They docked behind us at the downtown marina.

Robert, Dana, and their dog Bristol. They were on a very pretty Fountain boat and we struck up a conversation about our friend, David, from Pier 57 Fountain Sales at Pickwick. The dogs also became great friends and had a big time chasing each other around the water front. Nice folks, nice night.

Sunday morning brought brunch and a cruise back down the Gorge to Hales Bar. Friends and In-Laws (or Out-laws) Frattatas and Mimosas were consumed... Music was by Allison Krauss and Union Station... and a good time was had by all.

Well as luck would have it-- work did call us back-- so we have been pushing hard to get home.

Next up: Eagles, color, and a storm or two.

Happy days

The run to Chattanooga

So after hangin out at Guntersville Yacht Club, which is a very friendly and unpretentious club, we left early to head for NickaJack Lake and Hales Bar Marina where Rod and Mary Lee (friends and in laws) are staying. It was cold but a beautiful ride. The trees were almost perfect.
You have to click on each pic to see how vivid the colors were.
We will stay here for a day and move on to Chattanooga.

Happy days

On to Guntersville

Today was a long run. 90 miles and a lock- so we got an early start. The sun was just rising as we left Joe Wheeler Marina. A couple of other boats left at about the same time and followed us the whole way. It is best to travel in groups when having to negotiate with the locks. There is power in numbers and when 3 or 4 pleasure boats are scattered around the lock's arrival point the Tow Boat Captains, who have priority over us, usually tells the lockmaster to go ahead and lock us up. To get us out of his way I am sure.
Our fellow cruisers with Painted Bluff in the background. About mile marker 348. Very close to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. This is where the first missles used in space launches were built and tested. Also the home of Nasa's Space camp
After we lock up we make the bend and I always take a picture of this tree stand. The contrasting colors are very appealing to me.

We are almost done for the day. Guntersville Yacht Club will be our stay.

Still waiting for work to call us back- but so far so good.



Happy days

Joe Wheeler State Park

The colors are a blazing at Joe Wheeler. This is a nice quiet little marina just a couple of miles from the lock. This day's run was a short one. It only took us 3 hours and we had two locks.



We always wait until November to do our fall cruise. It's a little cooler but the colors are better and the marinas are less crowded. This marina was totally booked last weekend by the folks of the AGLCA (America's Great Loop Cruiser's Association). These cruisers come from everywhere in all kinds of boats. Primarily retired folks who want some adventure in their lives along with the camaraderie of like minded individuals. It's quite a trip. Read the link above.

Istaboa at Joe Wheeler State Park

This weekend it was pretty quiet. But there were a few cruisers out.

The above pic is our friend Sam from Pickwick. He's a Yacht Broker for Jim Bennett Yacht Sales.

On this day he and his four legged first mate were locking up with us and heading to Chattanooga to deliver a new boat.

Still no messages from Memphis so... Tomorrow we head further upstream to Guntersville, Alabama.

Happy days

The Tennessee River Fall Color Cruise

So last Saturday we decided we had waited long enough... Business may make us turn around and head back to Memphis at any time--but-- at the last minute we threw caution to the wind and took off cruising up the river. So far so good. Nothing out of Memphis yet. On the first leg we go to Florence, Alabama. This day folks were not happy in Alabama because of their last minute loss to LSU's football team.
It was a beautiful day as you can tell in the above picture of the sailboat with it's Spinnaker out. Nice colors.

Then oddly enough we were strafed by two Army Helicopters.
Up in Panther Cove we spot this pretty little boat. We have since seen her again. "Gatsby"

We tie up at Florence Harbor Marina for the night and kick back to watch the new Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers DVD. Runnin down a dream. It was great. 4 hours long-- so we only watch half.

The next day brings Joe Wheeler State Park Marina.

Happy days

(finally cruisin again)