Plan B

This is what happens when your anchoring plan A doesn't work!! 

We left Pebble Isle at noon yesterday with a tip from the 'locals' on what they thought would be a good place to anchor in an area that was skimpy on anchorages.  Well their idea was a total thumbs down, from no water in the "cove" they mentioned, to 39'  in the river.  Not gonna fly.  It was getting late and we tried the marina that was our next option only to find it closed.....then what to our wondering eyes did appear but a mile long area of barges loaded with sand and a big dredge.  

They looked closed up for the night and on close inspection we didn't see any 'no trespassing 'signs so we decided oh well " apologize later" and tied up to the dredge barge, thinking we'd get up at 6am and be gone when they got there.  We almost made it...we got up to DENSE fog and sure enough the guys showed up at 6 am and started warming up the dredge...they came and talked to us thought we were from the TVA as they sometimes stop in pleasure craft and tie up....but Gary nicely said we're just heading out.

So....we headed into the fog with our radar and our GPS.  It was heavy at first and then became pockets where we could see about a half mile, then back to heavy.  We creeped along for about 90 minutes before it finally lifted.

 The real concern was the small bass boats, they are everywhere and love to fish in the middle of the channel.  Fortunately even they were not up to the fog this morning.

Anyway, our first experience with traveling in fog this trip went off without incident.  The river is spectacular....even better than the Cumberland, probably second only to the 30,000 Islands in Georgian Bay for unbeatable scenery.....and the trees are even turning a little...late because of the warm weather that is holding on but better than nothing!  

We did see some interesting houses today.....

I found this one with the cross quite interesting

This place made out of truck trailers stacked was creative don't you think? He was next door to the house with the cross and did his own thing with his steps to the river.

This makes you wonder why people take chances building on bluffs

This was a common sight ,lots with travel trailers.  The price on one lot as we went by was $17,500.  Right on the Tennessee River, what a deal, (until it floods.)  They probably move them out before spring flooding and use them as summer cottages....not a bad idea

Quite a few homes had boat launch ramps on their property for launching their bass boats

The most common sight of all, sprays of white darting all over the river...the bass fisherman running from one fishing spot to another....they have more trouble than I do sitting still!!

The river has been lowered to "winter pool" about five feet down from "summer pool".  But the channel itself goes almost to the shoreline and the water averaged about 40' deep....alas the anchorages that were 10' are now only five (or in some cases less) so you have to choose carefully as we learned last night!

But....it is still 'drop dead' gorgeous!!!!