6/1/22 - Sunset Cove Anchorage to Chattanooga Aquarium wall - 70.9 miles and 2 locks

We had a peaceful and very restful night at anchorage.  The morning pre dawn hour or so was good for Erik's soul to sit on the deck with coffee watching the morning light come around and listening to the sounds of nature.  

After a couple of hours of relaxing and enjoying the morning Erik took Riva to shore for her morning business.  We sat and chatted for a short time and had a quick and easy breakfast of yogurt and granola.

Riva apparently didn't get enough sleep last night

We pulled anchor and started our trek at about 8:45 am.   We planned for a pretty long journey today of 70+ miles and a couple of locks.  As usual, the morning cruising was relaxing and aside from a few fishermen we were the only boat on the water most of the morning.  As we approached Watts Bar Lock and Dam, our first lock of the day, we called ahead to inquire if there would likely be any delays and the lockmaster informed us we were clear to come right on in when we got there.  The lockmaster met us at the wall of the chamber as we were pulling in and we had a nice casual conversation with him about our journeys.  Most of the lockmasters are very friendly and they seem to enjoy interacting with the boaters.  

As we continued downriver there are many nice mountain views around each bend.   We never tire of seeing the next spectacular view; pictures do not do them justice!  

one of many gorgeous mountain views 

kayak fisherman. we slow way down as not to wake them when we see them in time 

The terrain surrounding the river was continuing to change and become more rocky on the shorelines.  The water temperature was rising.   When we left Ft Loudon it was about 76 degrees and now just 80 miles or so downriver it was up to about 83 degrees.   The water temps did however lower significantly for the first several miles below each dam.  We assume this is because of the large quantities of water being let through from deeper in the riverbed.   

Riva the river diva

The afternoon was very hot so we took a short break to get in the water and cool down our body temps.  We had forgotten that with the dinghy on the davits that our swim platform ladder could not be put down without lowering the dinghy....hmmm.   Some quick work to fashion a rope ladder of sorts took care of that issue.   Cooled off and refreshed we continued downriver.   When we were about 5 miles (30 mins or so) from the second planned lock of the day, Chickamauga Lock and Dam, we phoned ahead again to check on the status.  Unfortunately, this time we were not as fortunate as the previous couple locks.   We were informed by the lockmaster that he was in the process of locking through a large tug and barge (he referred to it as a 'bearcat') and that it would likely be 2-3 hours before he would be locking down any recreational boaters.   We continued down towards the lock and decided that since it was now almost 5pm and Riva had not been ashore to potty since 8am that we would go into a marina located just above the lock to get her some grass.   We called ahead to ensure that they would have room and be ok with us doing this and they had no issue.   As we were entering we realized that we had been at this same marina previously when we transited the Tennessee River several years ago.   It was a small, tight marina to maneuver the boat in and out of but fortunately there was no wind or current.  We motored back out and into the channel a hundred yards or so from the top of the dam.   Rather than anchor we chose to just float.   By this time there were multiple other boats anchored and waiting to lock down as well.   The late afternoon sun was blazing so we got in the water to cool off before firing up the grill to cook up some burgers for dinner.   Finally, after waiting for almost 3 hours, at about 7:30pm the lockmaster came onto the radio hailing the recreational boats into the chamber.   This was a fairly slow process that took the better part of 30 minutes to get all 7 of the boats that had been waiting into the chamber and tied off.   We held back and were the last to enter the chamber which fortunately meant we had our own pin/bollard to ourselves and did not have to tie off or have others tied off to us.  The drop down to the Nickajack pool of the river was much smaller than the last couple, probably only about 30 feet or so, but it was a VERY slow drop.   

All in and tied off ready to ride down

After 11 hours on the river on a hot day Renee needed a break. We were lucky to be on the shady side of the lock chamber

By the time we got out of the lock and were headed the last 5 miles down to Chattanooga it was almost sunset.  We arrived to the 'Aquarium Wall' in downtown Chattanooga and were met by the marina harbor guy who helped us get tied off and powered up.  It had been a long day and we were all tired.  After bringing Riva out we ventured up into town for a very brief walk before heading back to the boat where we showered, had our evening coffee and relax.   Renee retired at around 11pm while Erik stayed up to finish our first days blog (behind already darn it) and attend to a few work emails.   

Our 'Nebo' track for the day 

Stats for the day